Also called: Stage Makeup Artist, Wig & Makeup Supervisor
Designs and applies makeup and wigs for theater, opera, ballet and live shows so faces read from the back row.
Before an evening Broadway show, she preps the cast in an assembly line of wigs, makeup and microphone placement. During the show she does quick-change touch-ups in the dark wings.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Certificate, about 3 years after high school. Theater or makeup training; union membership for many large venues.
Ways in: Trade school, 4-year college, On-the-job training. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Theatre Arts, Cosmetology (trade school).
Growing about average.
Low risk for 10 years. Design software helps plan looks, but painting faces for live shows night after night is hands-on.
Classes: Theater tech crew, Art, Drama.
Official data: O*NET occupation 39-5091.
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