Skip to content

Course Syllabus

THEA 1223 Stage Makeup

  • Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
  • Department: Theater Arts
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 1; Lab: 2
  • Prerequisites: none
  • Corequisites: none
  • Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
  • Semester Approved: Spring 2022
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2026
  • End Semester: Fall 2027
  • Optimum Class Size: 12
  • Maximum Class Size: 17

Course Description

This course is a practical examination into the techniques and artistry of makeup for the theatre. The primary focus is on one- and three-dimensional techniques in corrective, aging, character and period styles.

Justification

As a result of this course, students will develop a general background in stage makeup techniques that they will need as they pursue a career in theatre. This course will also serve as introductory training for those wishing to go into makeup design as a profession.This course is offered by most theatre departments throughout the state as a lower-division credit. This course fills a lower-division core for theatre, and similar courses exist at most other four-year institutions in the state of Utah.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to identify and understand the structures of the human skull and facial muscles.
  2. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to execute detailed makeup application techniques.
  3. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to use makeup skills to develop individual characters appropriate to a wide range of plays.
  4. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to identify the major facial differences of the aging process.
  5. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to apply makeup techniques from different historical periods.
  6. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to explore specialty techniques like wounds, non-human elements, fantasy, etc.

Course Content

This course will include lectures, demonstrations, studio work and play reading. Topics taught in this class will include:Unit 1. Discussion of the history of makeup and its practical uses on the stage.Unit 2. Understanding the physiology of the face and skull and its importance in creating effective makeup designs.Unit 3. Practical examination of corrective makeup techniques. Unit 4. Practical examination of middle-aged techniques. Unit 5. Practical examination of old-aged techniques. Unit 6. Practical examination of latex old-aged techniques. Students will gain experience through demonstration and actual practice in the application of latex to create the aging effects.Unit 7. Practical examination of prosthetic techniques, beard and mustache techniques.Unit 8. Practical examination of historical techniques. Unit 9.Practical examination of fantasy techniques.Readings, selections, and articles presented to students come from various sources, offering a broader scope of stage make up to students. Students will explore the use of makeup throughout historical periods and cultures. Demonstrations, projects, and assignments are presented without gendering or stereotype. The use of makeup may be explored by anyone but can be a sensitive topic.