Onstage and Behind the Scenes

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© The Children's Museum of Indianapolis 2001

		Actors use stage makeup because stage lighting tends to make everyone's face look flat. The most important thing about an actor's makeup is how it looks onstage under the lights. Makeup is also used to bring out the expressiveness of their eyes and mouth. Some makeup makes them look more like the character – older, scarier, different skin color, special effects, etc.

	Makeup artists use many different techniques. Some makeup paints and colors the face. Stage makeup can be used to create additional lines and folds. The texture of the skin can be changed with powders and dyes. Rubber wounds, false noses, moustaches, beards and hairpieces are also stage makeup. Seen from a distance Some makeup is used to exaggerate facial features so they show up better seen from the audience. Straight makeup enhances the features; it doesn't change them. All kinds of dramatic changes can be made with makeup. Can you match these before and after pictures of actors and actresses? top of page