Assistant Professor
Equitable Stage Makeup and Hair
What You'll Learn
- Learn foundational techniques for applying stage makeup for all complexions and bone structures.
- Learn inclusive language and basic techniques for theatrical hair and wig preparation.
- Analyze text and utilize color theory to develop characters through makeup and hair application.
8 Modules
32 Hours
4 hrs per module (approx.)
Rating
About Equitable Stage Makeup and Hair
Go beyond the limitations of mainstream courses and gain a broad overview of inclusive makeup and hair practices, regardless of your experience level. Equitable Stage Makeup and Hair offers highly detailed videos and in-depth practice guides to train you on applying makeup for all skin tones and ways to prepare wigs for a variety of different hair textures. Designed to propel forward your skills, training in applying makeup for all skin tones, and wig preparation for a variety of hair textures, you will learn techniques for applying natural makeup for both on stage and camera, and aging makeup.
The course allows you to tailor your learning experience based on your own makeup and hair needs with additional modules on trauma makeup, special effects makeup, or drag makeup.
Makeup application techniques are supported by lessons in facial anatomy, color theory, character analysis, and personalized makeup worksheet demonstrations. Hear from renowned makeup artists, performers, and drag queens to learn from their experience in the entertainment and theater industries. By learning inclusive methods of hair and makeup, you can work to build more equitable spaces for everyone.
Skills You'll Gain
- Color Theory
- Storytelling
- Theatrical Makeup
What You'll Earn
- Certificate of Completion:
- Certificates of completion acknowledge knowledge acquired upon completion of a non-credit course or program.
Welcome Message
Equitable Stage Makeup and Hair introduces inclusive makeup and hair practices for performers, designers, and educators. Through hands-on demonstrations, galleries, and expert insights, learners build foundational skills that honor diverse skin tones and hair textures while addressing historical inequities in theatrical training.
This abbreviated syllabus description was created with the help of AI tools and reviewed by staff. The full syllabus is available to those who enroll in the course.
Course Schedule
Module 1: Introduction to the Course
- Video: Welcome to the Course
- Video: Meet Your Instructors
- Video: Why Do This Work?
- Reading: Course Syllabus
- Reading: Pre-Course Survey
Module 2: Setting the Stage
- Video: How to Get Ready & Develop Your Own Kit
- Reading: Inclusive Language & Terms
- Reading: Principles for Building Anti-Racist Theatre Systems
- Reading: BIPOC Demands for White American Theatre
- Discussion Prompt: Disrupting Norms to Promote Inclusive Practices
Module 3: Designing Makeup for Your Face
- Video: Introduction to Designing Makeup
- Ungraded Plugin: Skull Anatomy & Practice
- Ungraded Plugin: Drawing a Self-Portrait
- Reading: Introduction to the Gamut Gallery Tool
- Ungraded Plugin: Creating the Worksheet
- Reading: Create Your Own Worksheet
- Ungraded Plugin: Introduction to Color Theory
- Ungraded Plugin: Color Analysis Practice Exercise
- Video: Testimonials
- Video: Analyzing Character Choices
- Reading: Park Bench Blues: A Triptych
- Reading: Character Analysis: Park Bench Blues
Module 4: Basic Contour
- Video: Introduction to Natural Makeup Look for Stage & Camera (Brandalyn Fulton-Williams)
- Video: Testimonials
- Reading: Necessary Materials for Basic Contour Module
- Ungraded Plugin: Taking Notes on Makeup Worksheet
- Video: Skin Prep
- Reading: Practice Guide: Basic Skin Prep
- Video: Eye Shadow
- Reading: Practice Guide: Eye Shadow
- Video: False Lashes
- Reading: Practice Guide: False Lashes
- Video: Foundation
- Reading: Practice Guide: Foundation
- Video: Highlight & Contour
- Reading: Practice Guide: Highlight & Contour
- Video: Blush & Lips
- Reading: Practice Guide: Blush & Lips
- Video: Enhancement
- Video: Size of a Theatre & Lighting Design Effects on Makeup
Module 5: Aging
- Video: Necessary Materials for Old Age Makeup
- Video: Intro to Aging Makeup
- Video: Aging Shadow Lines
- Reading: Practice Guide: Aging Shadow Lines
- Video: Aging Highlight
- Reading: Practice Guide: Aging Highlight
- Video: Aging Blending & Powdering
- Reading: Practice Guide: Aging Blending & Powdering
- Video: Aging Enhancements
- Reading: Practice Guide: Aging Enhancements
- Video: Blending to Middle Age
- Reading: Introduction to the Capstone Task
- Reading: Epilogue
- Reading: Post-Course Survey
Module 6: Intro to Special Effects
- Reading: *Content Warning*
- Video: Intro to Brandalyn
- Video: Bruises Demo for Deeper Complexions
- Video: Basic Scrape Demo
- Reading: Practice Guide: Basic Scrape
- Video: Intro to Special Effects Makeup
- Video: Necessary Materials for Special Effects Makeup
- Video: Scar Wound Demo
- Reading: Practice Guide: Scar Wound
- Video: Tattoo Wound Demo
- Video: Makeup Removal Demo
- Video: Special Effects Scrape Demo
- Reading: Practice Guide: Special Effects Scrape
- Video: Burn Wound Demo
- Reading: Practice Guide: Burn Wound
- Video: Burn Wound Tattoo Demo
- Video: Keloid Scar Wound Demo
- Reading: Practice Guide: Keloid Scar
- App Item: Gallery: Practice Your Skills
Module 7: Hair
- Video: Introduction to Hair Preparation (Carol Taylor) & Previewing the Technique and Materials
- Reading: Black Women and Identity: What's Hair Got to Do With It?
- Ungraded Plugin: Understanding Hair Textures
- Graded Assignment: Check for Understanding: Hair Preparation Basics
- Video: Braid Prep Demo
- Video: Cornrow Prep Demo
- Video: Pin Curls Demo
- Video: Pin Curls with Short Hair Demo
- Video: Ponytail Prep Demo
- Video: Wrap Prep Demo
- Video: Short Hair Prep Demo
- Video: Applying the Wig
- Reading: Additional Materials: Hair Survey
- Video: Mustaches
- Video: Beards
- Video: Cleaning and Care of Beards and Mustaches
- Video: A Quick Look at Wigs
- Video: Behind the Scenes
- Video: Testimonials
Module 8: Drag
- Video: Introduction and Necessary Materials for Drag Module
- Video: Eyebrow Cover
- Reading: Practice Guide: Eyebrow Cover
- Video: Complexion Work
- Reading: Practice Guide: Complexion Work
- Video: Drag Makeup: Contour & Highlight
- Reading: Practice Guide: Drag, Contour & Highlight
- Video: Eye Shadow
- Reading: Practice Guide: Eye Shadow
- Video: Brows
- Reading: Practice Guide: Eyebrows
- Video: Eye Shadow Glitter
- Reading: Practice Guide: Eye Shadow Glitter
- Video: Liner & Lashes
- Reading: Practice Guide: Liner & Lashes
- Video: Dusting & Lips
- Reading: Practice Guide: Dusting & Lips
- App Item: Gallery: Practice Your Skills
- Video: Donovan Rogers
- Video: Clean-Up & Removal
Grading Policy
All graded assignments must be completed to earn a certificate. The course grade is based on two checks for understanding assessments worth 30%, four gallery assignments worth 45%, and a capstone assignment worth 25%.
Course content developed by U-M faculty and managed by the university. Faculty titles and affiliations are updated periodically.
Beginner Level
In order to practice and engage with the skills in this course, learners need to acquire specific supplies.
What Learners Are Saying
This course brings together talented industry experts to demonstrate hands-on practical makeup applications for all skin tones and wig prep techniques for a variety of hair textures.
Sarah Oliver Assistant Professor of Theatre & Drama, School of Music, Theatre & Dance
