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Prop, Costume, and Makeup notes

props | costumes | makeup

Information about costumes, makeup, and props

Props

Rules for handling props:

  1. Only handle your own props. reason: Even sturdy-looking props take a significant amount of abuse, and we need them to be in the best condition possible for our shows. Also, your fellow actor may need his or her prop at any time, either for a planned entrance (which you may or may not know about) or for impromptu practice, and time spent hunting for props is time that could better be spent actually rehearsing (or on stage).

  2. Always return your props to the designated area as soon as you are finished with them.

Costumes

Costume Needs:

ALL MEN (except Jack Point):

Black tights and black jazz shoes or other comfortable black "dress"-looking shoe that is easy to move and stand in.

ALL WOMEN:

Black tights or knee-length trouser socks and black character shoes or jazz shoes.

WHAT YOU NEED(from Pam's infamous make-up email)

ALL STAGE MEN (Chorus and Principals): Foundation should be 2 shades darker than your natural skin tone so the stage lights won't wash you out. Some cheek color is nice to give definition but no bright colors. We don't want you to look like Raggedy Andy out there. Lip color should be about a shade darker than your natural lip color but needs to be a natural looking color so it doesn't look like you are wearing lipstick. Black or brown eyeliner is needed for your eyes to show up and may also be used to color in facial hair if that is a light color.

ALL STAGE WOMEN (Chorus and Principals): Foundation should be 2 shades darker than your natural skin tone so the stage lights won't wash you out. Cheek color can be pinks or peaches, whichever looks best with your skin tone, but just to give your cheeks definition. As I said to the men, we are not looking for Raggedy Ann & Andy out there. Lip color can be in pinks or peaches, again, whichever looks best. I don't want any fire engine red lips out there so if you have a question about the color you would like to use, you can check with me. Black or brown eyeliner is needed for your eyes to show up and may be used for your eyebrows as well. Mascara or false eyelashes will be needed as well so your eyelashes don't disappear.

ROYAL CHORUS: Your makeup does not need to be as dark as the stage chorus since you won't be under full stage lights. It is slightly darker than everyday makeup for the women. For the men, it is just enough to even out skin tone and keep your features from disappearing.

ALL CAST MEMBERS: If you have just read the above information and are panicking because you don't know where to start, take a deep breath and relax. We have a stock of makeup that we are able to loan out to people for the run of the show. The only thing that I cannot loan to you is eye makeup. For sanitary reasons, you should never share eye liner, mascara or anything else that touches the area around your eyes. If you are using makeup sponges to apply your foundation, you should not share these because they are used around your eyes and you should use a fresh sponge for each application. I have sponges to give if you are borrowing makeup so, if you cannot or do not wish to purchase your own makeup, you will just need to worry about getting your own eyeliner and mascara and see me when we move into the theatre for the rest. I don't need to know ahead of time so no need to tell me at rehearsal or email me about it unless you have a question. If you are concerned about the application, there are lots of people who have done this before and can help you but I have the final OK on how it looks so let me know if you need me to help or check your makeup for you.

HAIR: Chorus has no wigs this year (imagine me doing a little happy dance right now). Women and men of the stage chorus will be wearing hats so hairstyle is not terribly important. Women, I would suggest pulling it back in the front in some way so it does not poke out of the front of your hat and into your face. Bangs tend to create shadows that don't do nice things to our faces under stage lights. If you have a shorter hair style, combing it back so it doesn't fall in your face would be good. Men, just combing your hair back so it stays under the hat is the best thing for you to do as well.

PRINCIPALS: If there is anything specific to your character as far as hair or makeup is concerned, I have either already talked to you or I will be talking to you about that very soon.

Further questions - feel free to ask the makeup designer (Pam Guidry-Vollers)