Working in the Theatre: Makeup

This episode of Working in the Theatre was featured in our new book, "American Theatre Wing, an oral history: 100 Years, 100 Voices, 100 Million Miracles." Learn more about the book at a.co/d/9A5qc9a.
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A character on stage is shaped by many factors. An important, and often under-examined aspect to the creation of a character and achievement of a production is created by the magnificent makeup artists on and off-Broadway. But, what does it take to achieve the prefect show-ready look 8 times a week? Makeup Artists Brian Strumwasser and Thelma Pollard share their journey on the creation and maintenance of a character in this episode.
Through Brian’s work on A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, we delve into the detail and dedication needed for one actor to change their look 17 times in a show.
Thelma Pollard’s work on The Phantom of the Opera shows how a show’s longevity and cast replacement can continue to keep the life of a makeup artist on her feet eight time a week for over 28 years.
For more information on Brian Strumwasser's work, please visit www.brianstrumwasser.com.
For more information on Thelma Pollard's work, please visit www.thephantomoftheopera.com.
American Theatre Wing’s Working in the Theatre documentary series features the most fascinating people on the stage, behind the scenes, and in the audience. From Tony Awards® and Obie Awards® winning artists to the next generation of theatre makers, we capture theatre’s inner-workings, industry luminaries, and unique stories that surround important work.
American Theatre Wing, founder of the Tony Awards® and home of and the Obie Awards®: for more information visit americantheatrewing.org.
#WorkingInTheTheatre #Season38
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[@JPLEYONKO4]

There needs to be tony categories for best makeup and hairstyling. There needs to be more acknowledgment of those departments in the theatre. They're also members of the Broadway community.

[@wickedphant0m]

One thing that I thought was really fascinating.... after 28 years on Bway & 30 in London, they STILL won't show the Phantom's fully made-up face. The dedication to that secrecy is ridiculous but also amazing.

[@ManongChito]

I think a video of Hugh Panaro backstage have that. It shows hoe he puts the make up, the bald cap, prosthetics and the infamous mask.

[@oliviaberrong4891]

I really appreciated the amount of effort that goes into not only the makeup, of course, but how the makeup will affect the skin and how they can predict what will happen to the skin so they won’t have a problem throughout a show!

[@senzabean]

I was my high school's makeup artist my senior year, some of the most fun times ever

[@fullofslay]

do you have any tips? i was selected to do makeup for my school’s upcoming play and i’d really appreciate it.

[@emilynn3732]

I love how he mentioned the hack they used to take off Miss Barley's lipstick because it saves time and it is super smart. Also seeing the makeup for shows like Phantom and A Gentleman's Guide is always amazing because I love seeing the products, how they do the makeup, and the details of it all in general.

[@yoursenpai8551]

I love his journey to becoming a makeup artist. I love how you can really express a character through make-up

[@philipm5369]

I had to watch this whole video for my drama hw

[@shzdw3232]

Philip M same

[@jake_young4008]

@@shzdw3232 same

[@rrrigbyyy1494]

same

[@sunfower9023]

Same

[@dianacelina4935]

same

[@goble0904]

I liked how it showed the transformations of the actors to the characters.

[@henrybell3476]

I appreciate the amount of research they have to do in order to get the right makeup that will look good on stage.

[@arianagonzalez-glass6571]

It is crazy how detailed the makeup is. I really appreciate how they showed us the process of the makeup. I also like how he told us his journey to makeup for broadway shows.

[@maceegeisler6050]

i love the insight they give with details about doing the makeup and knowing the different skin types. they also make the directors vision of what the makeup should be, really happen. they really work together to create the most realistic, dramatic, and creative looks based off what the director sees fit.

[@laurenbailey7197]

I like how they showed the makeup artist's work. It is amazing what they can do.

[@bellamendoza508]

What I loved about this video is how the makeup artist has to go off what the director wants to put out there. They make the directors vision come to life with the makeup they put on. I also love how they show us how they deal with the makeup and tricks and tips on how to put it on the actors.

[@marcitwitchell3151]

I think that it is really cool that they show how being a makeup artist for theater is hard work, but is very rewarding!

[@rileyhenson9359]

My high school just finished its production of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder so this was so fascinating!

[@alexwoodfin1977]

I think it is so crazy and interesting that the makeup designer has to go off of so many different things just to get the desired look for a specific part of the show. Such as: script, lighting, costumes and of course the director.

[@sarahmaness8476]

I really appreciated his efficiency in having an actor transition from one character to the next in a matter of seconds.

[@kennedijohnson2970]

I loved the quick changes, they were very inspiring and entertaining.

[@jasoncalvin7459]

I love the Phantom and I think it's so cool that she still does Phantom makeup. I love it!

[@clairebear9501]

All of these videos has helped me so much. Thank you for making this series!

[@ashlyngray3123]

Something i really liked about this is the research and hard work that they put into each of their make-up looks. They don't just through something on, they know exactly what they are doing. -ashlyn gray

[@halaileybailey]

It's really cool to see how much work goes into choosing makeup design

[@lattitudelogan]

I really liked this video! Makeup can definitely tell its own story along with adding to the production as a whole! They were very good makeup artists because they were able to explain why they were doing what they were doing, and not just doing it. They knew the story that they needed to help convey and they delivered it!

[@karmaakabane2389]

Makeup is a beautiful art and it takes a lot if position and its hard but I love how much these people love to do it!

[@anastasiiakyryliuk1435]

I really appreciate how the video really goes in detail about how the makeup should be applied, what you need to understand and learn about the application and choosing between different products, also how time-consuming it is, and the situations for the makeup applier and their education and expirience.

[@rrrigbyyy1494]

if its so time consuming then dont do it

[@elby5190]

Beautiful mini documentary! Well done.

[@gavi3]

@Luke Platt lmao what

[@abemagic10]

Wondering how make-up artists deal when encountering skin /dermatological issues/problems... Are hypo allergenic products used as a matter of course ?

[@bronteleskie5320]

It's mentioned at the 6:30 mark. And the answer is yes.

[@alexknlove1]

Yes we do use hypo allergenic products but in my experience those kind of actors are usually scared to let anyone do their makeup and they ask to do it themselves with your guidance or at least with their own tools and products. Also they avoid Kryolan skin products cause the tend to cause breakouts because they are so heavy and sensitive skin can't really handle it. Hope I helped ❤️

[@miumiuchique]

@@alexknlove1 Is there a good base you would recommend for those prone to breakouts?

[@clarissemerced6948]

I appreciate how the video gave a point of view from a male makeup artist and how they got to where they were and a female makeup artist and how they made it to where they were.

[@avramidouellie3437]

What a beautiful video. Loved every single moment of it.

[@cherylbrown6746]

Just AWESOME!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@audrahorton311]

OMG!!! LEON!!!

[@tondonki]

i watched this for my drama hw great documentary btw

[@saintnitrousproductions2826]

Awesome

[@charrkr749]

this was just what i have been looking for thanks!! new sub!!!

[@leemealandthejourney9015]

How many times was the word inglot see 🤣🤣

[@FishJebus]

dude i think dislocated my shoulder while watching this

[@2snowgirl520]

Fascinating!

[@abemagic10]

would be interesting to include (his) other art work ( paintings) to show the evolution and scope of ( his) artistry /craft ( in relation to future profiles, - it would be cool if it could - show the link between one artistic practice - painting , in this case - to another - such as makeup.)

[@erinondriezek9408]

this is my dream job

[@TumainiKigelia21]

Did they say anything about city makeup artist live at?

[@regina_filange2.0]

For the Phantom, why not use a regular wig cap that is cut and glued on, instead of a bald cap since they place a lace wig over the top... wouldn't that feel cooler for the skin? or do they eventually show the character's baldness in the show?

[@restartingmyaccount4891]

Watching this for drama.. I SEE YOU *MS SHEPPARD* :)

[@caleb-eu7in]

same

[@KenyaNicole]

I AM A FUTURE ESTHETICIAN AND THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO DO I LIVE IN NYC

[@stacczk7182]

k goodluck

[@stephanietroeger85]

did she get some mascara? or lashes?

[@Victoria-xt7mr]

This is what I want to do for a career. But I have no clue where to start

[@rishisamnani7850]

I'm going off of the script, the director's note, and mainly I go off of the hair and costume designer, because they are the one's creating a vision.

[@jonathanwirth8863]

Thank u everyone goodnight

[@Annesglitter]

1. Catherine walker is a queen 2. HECK YEAH I FOUND IT

[@margedipthong]

I love you, Thelma!!!

[@zzthelazy351]

What is very important there? What are the advantages and drawbacks to this?

[@zzthelazy351]

Why is it amportant to keep makeup consistent?

[@ZoraTheberge]

It’s like any aspect of a Broadway show. The hair and costumes are consistent, and the makeup is a part of that whole look.

[@eileenisshadow5853]

Awesome! You guys are lit! I've just started acting. :D

[@infamousolivia8777]

that's awesome!!

[@positivesiennergy]

Little Shadow, Forest Girl Awesome! Break a leg in all of your future shows!

[@avamasquerade]

This was awesome but I really do wish makeup artists would speak more about the chemistry of it all. Sometimes I feel like I'm a mad scientist breaking bad in the dressing rooms....

[@sergiopaniaguasanchez2236]

I see this for drama :)

[@vr6535]

WHY does the actress have a better dressing room than Miss Thelma???!!! >:|

[@redsloane879]

Good point! Probably because the actress is a diva.....eye roll!!

[@melissabrown2837]

Veronique Ramirez probably because it has to hold all her costumes, etc, plus there are various people who have to fit in there with her (wig, makeup, dresser, etc)

[@local_disk]

Who else was forced to watch this by their theater teacher

[@NiamhAllStar21]

"i was a slave... and that was my collage experience"

[@sparklesinthewild]

I am doing makeup too on my channel and this is really inspiring ! ✌🏻🔥 You are beautiful 🌈

[@kaylakain6039]

I hardly ever wear makeup or do my hair fancy am a Tom boy and still want to be an actress people bug me about wearing makeup if I want to be in act dress as person with autism is also much harder

[@art_enthusiast4555]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="187">3:07</a>

[@art_enthusiast4555]

6:35

[@jiibbss_wrestling]

Am I the only that’s watching this cuz of my online theatre class?

[@johntron1237]

Rip in the chat bois

[@nalabees]

but... does Brian like Inglot?

[@chrisfelix9014]

Who’s here for theatre class

[@kimthib]

Love your channel and tips! Hope you'll like mine, too!

[@dawidjagusiak]

This is the only kind of make up that should really exist.

[@rrrigbyyy1494]

school making me watch this and i hate it

[@rrrigbyyy1494]

i hate it

[@rrrigbyyy1494]

im gonna fail my quiz on this because i dont care. savage.

[@malachisteele8738]

If your watching this for fun something wrong wit u

[@michelraphael7631]

if you're making this many grammatical mistakes, something's definitely wrong with you.

[@Simo-fy3vo]

Michel Raphael if your worried about grammar online something is wrong with you

[@rrrigbyyy1494]

@@michelraphael7631 you a boy watching makeup tutorials without having a school force you to then you have something wrong with you