Working in the Theatre: Makeup

Summary

This video script narrates the journey of a Broadway makeup artist who transitioned from a fine arts painting major to a successful career in theater. The artist discusses their experiences working backstage, collaborating with renowned costume designers, and the challenges of quick character transformations. They share insights into makeup artistry for shows like 'A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder' and 'The Phantom of the Opera,' emphasizing the importance of understanding skin, coloration, and adaptability to meet the diverse needs of actors.

Takeaways

• 🎨 The speaker's journey to Broadway was unique, starting as a fine arts painting major and transitioning to theater work, where their art background influences their makeup artistry.
• 🎭 Early experience in a theater company in Long Island was likened to 'slavery' due to the diverse tasks performed, which served as an informal college for the speaker.
• 💄 A pivotal moment in the speaker's career was transforming Tracy Bennett into Judy Garland for a Vanity Fair photoshoot, which opened doors to further opportunities in Broadway.
• 👥 Networking is crucial in the industry, as evidenced by the speaker's mentor, John Jordan, who helped establish their presence on Broadway and is now a hair supervisor for 'The Lion King'.
• 🛑 Professionalism is key, with the speaker emphasizing the importance of not causing drama and focusing on doing a good job.
• 🏆 Working with award-winning costume designers like Linda Cho on 'A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder' highlights the collaborative nature of creating character looks.
• 🔄 The demands of quick character changes in shows like 'A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder' require innovative makeup solutions to maintain continuity and character integrity.
• 💬 Communication with costume and hair designers is essential for a makeup artist to understand the overall vision and translate it onto the actors' faces.
• 👩‍🎨 The speaker's role as a makeup artist involves not just application but also teaching others, as seen with the touring production of 'A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder' where they trained the cast.
• 💡 Creativity and problem-solving are vital, as demonstrated by the use of beet juice to dye an actor's tongue for character authenticity in 'A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder'.
• 📈 The speaker's career progression includes becoming the production makeup supervisor for 'The Phantom of the Opera', showcasing longevity and growth in the industry.

Q & A

What was the individual's initial educational path before pursuing a career in theater?

The individual initially went to school as a fine arts painting major.

How did the individual's experience working for a theater company in Long Island contribute to their education?

The individual treated their time at the theater company as a form of college experience, learning by doing various tasks and being available for whatever was needed.

What was the significance of the 'Ends of the Rainbow' Vanity Fair photo shoot in the individual's career?

The photo shoot was pivotal as it transformed the individual's career by introducing them to the world of makeup for Broadway shows, specifically transforming Tracy Bennett into Judy Garland.

How did working with MAC cosmetics influence the individual's approach to makeup artistry?

The experience at MAC cosmetics likely expanded the individual's knowledge of makeup products and techniques, which they later applied to their work in theater makeup.

Who is the individual's mentor on Broadway and what role does he currently hold?

The individual's mentor on Broadway is John Jordan, who is currently the hair supervisor on The Lion King.

What is one of the key lessons the individual learned from their mentor about working on Broadway?

One of the key lessons was to not cause drama, to simply do the job well and show up reliably.

What was the biggest challenge faced by the makeup artist for the D'Ysquith role in 'A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder'?

The biggest challenge was keeping the actor's lip from being torn or bleeding due to the frequent makeup changes throughout each scene.

How did the makeup artist handle the quick character changes for Jefferson Mays' role in the same show?

The artist managed the changes by using elements such as mustaches, blush, and lip gloss that could be quickly added or removed to transform the character within as little as 17 seconds.

What unique method was used for Jefferson Mays' character to appear as if he had dyed his tongue with beet juice?

Beet juice was used to literally dye his tongue, helping him to embody the character more convincingly.

How does the makeup artist ensure that the makeup for 'A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder' is consistent during the tour?

The artist taught every cast member their makeup plot and provided them with face charts to follow, allowing them to execute the designs themselves when the artist is not present.

What is the role of the makeup and hair supervisor for 'The Phantom of the Opera' on Broadway?

The makeup and hair supervisor is responsible for ensuring that the makeup, including prosthetics and special effects, is applied correctly and consistently for each performance, as well as maintaining a well-stocked makeup room.

What advice does the individual give to aspiring makeup artists regarding building a career?

The individual advises aspiring makeup artists to get out there, take on any project without saying no, and to understand that hard work and dedication will eventually lead to paid opportunities.

What is the importance of having a broad knowledge of products and techniques in makeup artistry according to the script?

Having a broad knowledge of products and techniques allows makeup artists to adapt to various skin types and requirements, ensuring that they can create the desired look for each character effectively.

How does the makeup artist prepare for the transformation of the actor into the Phantom of the Opera?

The artist applies a ball cap and three pieces of prosthetics, ensuring the skin is clean and conditioned to facilitate the application and removal of makeup and prosthetics without damaging the skin.