Summer Dance and STAGE MAKEUP

JAMcosmetics | Jun 09, 2009 | 0

After one of my classes at RDA

This month I had the amazing honor of teaching 250 aspiring ballerinas stage makeup seminars at the Regional Dance America Northeast Festival sponsored by Pennsylvania Regional Ballet.  What incredible teachers, choreographers and dancers.  The performances every evening were just breathtaking.  If you have not been to this incredible event, definitely, check it out in the future.  What I found most fascinating in my classes, was that ballet dancers seem to have more knowledge about stage makeup than many jazz/competition dancers do.

Over the three day event, I began my classes with a True/False about stage makeup:

1)    You should match your foundation color EXACTLY to your skin tone.

2)    You can clean your false lashes.

3)    If you already have long lashes you do not need to wear false ones.  

4)    Red lipstick is really the only lip color you should wear on stage for your lips to be seen  

I then did a discussion on my favorite subject, EYEBROWS, the most neglected area (and quite an important area) of the face.  We discussed how character and emotions can be shown through eyebrows.  

I then went on to demonstrate, on two unsuspecting volunteers, the "DO'S" and the "DON'TS" for stage makeup.  We had a good laugh because many of the dancers (including one instructor who was a former NYC Ballet company dancer) said that they certainly recognized that "DON'T" girl at many performances.

All of the dancers were so receptive to learning new makeup brush techniques to achieve a beautiful, blended stage performance face.  They knew that you definitely need to wear foundation for stage.  They also knew that you need false lashes regardless of how long your natural lashes are.  They were also definitely sure that red lipstick was NOT the only color lipstick to wear on stage.  They were much more aware of character choices than jazz/competition dancers and how makeup can affect those choices.  For example, Aurora, who is supposed to be 14 years old, would never wear red lipstick.  Neither would Juliet, from Romeo and Juliet.  Nor would a "peasant" in a town scene were red lipstick.  That would be silly!  Surprisingly, there are still some outdated makeup ideas floating around, like the "fishtails", blue eye shadow, etc...but those are easily remedied with a little knowledge.  

Remember this: Your face and your facial expression are extremely important on stage if you want to engage your audience.  

Don't be the "DON'T" girl!  

Summer Dance Camps, intensives, workshops are great times to add material you do not have time for during the regular school year.  Why not add or teach or recommend a STAGE MAKEUP CLASS this summer at your studio/school?  

Here are some tools to use for classes or just for YOU to study at home:

Facts about stage makeup: what every dancer should know

Top 10 Dance Makeup Mistakes

Performance Makeup Face charts/instructions

This summer, you will find me teaching many more aspiring young ballerinas at the American Academy of Ballet Summer School of Excellence at Suny/Purchase, another wonderful opportunity for dancers to learn and grow.  Check it out!

Keep dancin' pretty!
Jessica @ JAM
JAM cosmetics

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Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Modern, Broadway, Teacher, Enthusiast, Parent, Retailer, Studio, Competitions & Conventions, Performance, Summer Study (all tags)