THEATRE 141- 101, 102

STAGE MAKEUP
FALL SEMESTER 2014
Shenandoah Conservatory,
Shenandoah University
Location: Mens Dressing Room, Ruebush
Time: Monday 11-11:50 AM 101 & 102
Wednesday 11-11:50AM 101
Friday 11-11:50AM 102
Instructor:

Jennifer Flitton Adams

Office: 127A/Costume Shop
Phone:
545-7246 office
665-5515 costume shop
Email: jadam2@su.edu
Office Hours: Tuesdays 10:00AM-12:00 PM or by appointment

Course Description:
An introduction to basic stage makeup, covering products, theory, and techniques of application.
The development of a character makeup design is emphasized through the coverage of contour,
corrective, and aging techniques. Additional topics include special effects, period, fantasy, and animal
makeups. A minimum grade of C is required to pass this class in the Bachelor of Fine Arts Costume
Design curriculum.
Foundation:
This course meets Shenandoah Universitys Mission by reflecting our core value celebration of
creative performance, expression, teaching, and discovery. This course meets the mission of academic
units within Shenandoah Conservatory by addressing program objectives stated in the catalog, including
demonstrate a variety of techniques in the creation of original artistic designs for the performing arts and
employ technology in the creation of original designs for the performing arts.
Course Value:

1 credit.

Course Prerequisites: None.

Course Objectives:
To give students a working knowledge of the techniques of stage makeup through classwork and
viewing performances. Such knowledge will enrich any theatre student; being particularly useful for
students pursuing careers in acting, directing, costume design, and makeup design.
Instruction Materials:
Textbook: Stage Makeup (10th edition), Richard Corson (required)
-Basic Ben Nye student makeup kit (available in bookstore)
-Ben Nye Rainbow Wheel (available in bookstore)
-Makeup pencil sharpener (hint: freeze pencil before sharpening; this helps to keep the new point
from breaking off!)
-Q-tips or cotton swabs, if desired, for blending work
-Hairband or bobby pins something to keep hair out of your face
-Facial cleanser, towel, makeup shirt if desired
CLEANSERS AND TOWELS ARE NOT PROVIDED FOR YOU!
*The above supplies should be brought to every class!*
-#2 pencils for design sketches. Coloring pencils and markers may also be used.
-Photo album, binder, or file for Makeup Morgue.

NO FACIAL HAIR IS ALLOWED UNLESS REQUIRED FOR A

CONSERVATORY PRODUCTION.
Attendance:
Consistent attendance is expected. The fourth absence will result in the lowering of your grade by
one letter grade. The fifth absence will result in failure of the course.
This class begins promptly at the scheduled time. Each lateness will be equal to one-half
absence.
Late Work:
Assignments are due on the date specified in the class schedule, and late assignments will have
a grade reduction of 10% for each day late. Please note that assignments are due in class; if handed in
later in the day, the grade will be reduced by 5%. Exams may be made up only if the absence is excused
by the professor (this is the only situation in which an absence may be excused), and will require
documentation.
Course Requirements:
All homework and due dates are listed on the syllabus.
Two written critiques of makeup used in Conservatory productions this semester are an important
part of your grade. Specific productions will be assigned. Critiques must be 1 1 pages, and must
include your analysis of the makeup of at least 3 different characters. Critiques and responses will be
posted on BlackBoard.
The Makeup Morgue is the major class project, and you should be working on it all semester. We
will use it in class after the main due date. Specific details about morgue requirements will be handed out
separately.
Quizzes: There will be three quizzes and a final exam given during the semester. All but the first
will consist of four components:
1. Written design analysis (MUST be typed)
2. Makeup design sheet, including sketch. Visual research may be required in some
cases.
3. Executing the design on your face in class.
4. Presentation/explanation of your design in class
*Please note that you will need to make enough copies of your design sheets for the semester.
The forms are available on Blackboard.

Grading:
Grades are based on your individual work and class participation, understanding of the
material, execution of techniques, and improvement of skills over the course of the semester.
Quizzes:

10%
10%
10%
15%
Morgue:
20%
Critiques:
25 points each
10%
Reading quizzes:
10 points each
10%
Class work, including attitude and participation: 15%

Grading scale:
93-100 A
90-92 A87-89 B+
83-86 B
80-82 B77-79 C+
73-76 C
70-72 C67-69 D+
60-66 D
Below 60 F

#1 (Contour)
#2 (Character)
#3 (Old Age)
Final

Class Schedule:
Date:

Topic:

Assignment:

August

25
27/29

Class Introduction
Color and Light

Reading: ch. 3, 4*
Reading Test 1

September

1 no class (Labor Day)

3/5

Color and Light work day

Reading: ch. 1, 2, 10

Contour

Reading Test 2
Reading: ch. 9
Assignment: Personal
essay

10/12

Contour work day

15

Corrective

17/19

Corrective work day

22
24/26

TBA
Work day

29
1/3

Quiz #1 (Contour)
Quiz #1 (Contour)

Reading: Appendix E

Character

Reading Test 4
Reading: ch. 17
Critique #1 due/
American Idiot

8/10

Character Work Day

13 no class (Fall Break)

15/17

Film Makeup (watch DVD)

Reading Test 5
Thread due/Amer Idiot
MORGUE DUE*

20
22/24

Quiz #2 (Character)
Quiz #2 (Character)

Reading: ch. 12, 13

27

Special Effects

Reading Test 6
Reading: ch. 14, 15

29/31

Special Effects Work Day

Wigs/Facial Hair

5/7

Wig Work Day

10

Old Age

12/14

Old Age Work Day

17
19/21

Quiz 3 (Old Age)

Quiz 3 (Old Age)

October

November

24 TBA (film makeup?)

Reading Test 3
Personal essay due

Reading Test 7
Reading: ch. 11
Critique #2 due
(Crucible)
Reading Test 8
Thread due/Crucible

26/28 no class (Thanksgiving Break)

December

Animal/Fantasy

3/5

Animal/Fantasy work day

Assignment: Animal/
Fantasy
Animal/Fantasy
design due

8 TBA (film makeup?)

Final Exam: Wednesday, Dec. 10 11:00AM-1:30PM
*All reading is from Stage Makeup, Richard Corson, 10th edition.
**CLASS SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE**
Academic Dishonesty:
Academic dishonesty in any form, including plagiarism and the giving or receiving of unauthorized
assistance in academic work, is strictly prohibited. Penalties will be based on the severity of the offense
and will be determined by the professor in consultation with the Conservatory Dean. Per the University,
All students at Shenandoah University are responsible for upholding the Honor Code. The Honor Code is
a system of conduct that reflects the core principles and values that the University has established
regarding individual responsibility and matters involving honorable conduct. Violations of the Honor Code
include the following areas: cheating, plagiarism, falsification, tampering with records, forgery, and
withholding information. It is every students responsibility to report any violations that he or she observes
to the professor or to the Honor Court. Please see the Student Handbook for more specific information.
Disclosure of Disability:
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have
emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in the event that
the building must be evacuated, please notify me by making an appointment with me within the first two
weeks of the semester. If you need classroom accommodations, please contact the Coordinator of
504/ADA Services.
Health issues:
Students are expected to maintain a state of health that permits them to function in the instruction
offered. Proper nutrition and adequate rest form the basis for this condition. On rare occasions, a person
may experience an allergic reaction to some of the makeup products used in this class. If you are
concerned about this, or experience any such reactions, please contact me as soon as possible.
In compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, students 18 years of
age or older must authorize contact between faculty members and their parents/guardians. Forms
are available in the Conservatory Office and must be signed prior to any discussion between faculty
members and student parents/guardians.
Campus email is the official mode of communication at Shenandoah University. You are expected to
have an SU email account and to check it on a regular basis. Class announcements, such as class
cancellation or a change in assignments, will be sent via email to your SU account through BlackBoard.
You will be responsible for any information posted on your SU email. You are expected to check
BlackBoard on a regular basis. All due dates are listed in the class syllabus, which is posted on
BlackBoard.

I have received, read, and understand the nature of and requirements for:
TH 141 Stage Makeup
Name: (please print)____________________________________________________________
Signature_____________________________________________________________________
Date:_________________________________________________________________________