CBMA Character Theatre Course Outline

Day One:

• Construction and application of bald caps: students will build up a few layers each morning and lunchtime.  We aim to apply two bald caps this week.
• Discussion of the importance of fine edges/wrapping the hair flat to the head and building up a reinforced crown on the bald cap
• Use of greasepaint to change facial shapes
• Using greasepaint, changing face shapes: narrowing/widening/shortening and lengthening the face

Day Two:

• Demonstration of classic theatre make-up
• Projecting facial features and theatre tricks
• Explanation of the effects of lighting and the consequential evolution of the heavy make-up from the days of Victorian candle lights to the much lighter make-up required for the hi-tech lighting of today

Day Three:

• Application of bald caps
• Old age theatre make-up using greasepaint, painting in grey hair, eyebrows and balding wigs
• Commence making a new bald cap for use on day five

Day Four:

• Kabuki/Geisha/Japanese theatre make-up (students should have downloaded reference pictures for these looks)
• Review of the importance of preparation and visual reference

Day Five:

• Aging for film and television using greasepaint, reel colour, old age stipple and second bald cap