Stage Makeup

By Richard Corson, Beverly Gore Norcross, James Glavan

Book Overview

Widely referred to as the "bible of stage makeup" and now in its 12th edition, Stage Makeup addresses principles and techniques in the use of makeup for the contemporary performer including new trends and allied fields.

Stage Makeup is an extensive exploration of the application and use of stage makeup and allied performative venues. It covers all aspects in detail and contains over 2000 photographs, drawings, and diagrams demonstrating step-by-step procedures. Thoroughly updated and revised, this classic text remains accurate and comprehensive, providing information from which all readers - whether students new to the field or seasoned, professional makeup artists - will benefit. The twelfth edition features a new chapter on makeup trends, such as clean and vegan makeup, new full-color photography, information on best practices, more information on how stage lighting effects makeup, and information on updated techniques, technology, and products, all with an eye toward expansive inclusion and welcoming diversity.

This textbook is perfectly suited for students in Stage Makeup courses in Theatre and Film programs.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1032659122
• ISBN13: 9781032659121
• Release Date: June 2026
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 536 Pages

Customer Reviews

Not what it appears to be.

As seen by the picture on the cover you are led to believe this is a book about face painting and make up for theater. When in fact, yes it’s about “stage” make up… how to use prosthetics, latex and gelatins, how to glue on facial hair, hair and wigs creating likenesses to people such as Woodrow Wilson and Mark Twain. I could almost handle some of the chapters if it were in color and a how to format. But it’s not. It is mainly just writing and a few black and white photos.

A Film-Maker's Dream

I am a film-maker out of Ohio. I used to use Tom Savini's Bizarro, Grande Illusions 1, Grande Illusions 2, and Dick Smith's Do-It-Yourself guides....BUT, after meeting Tom Savini and learning that he considers this book his "bible", I checked it out for myself. WOW! This is the book to get for anyone interested in stage make-up or special effects makeup. It IS a little pricey, but for the information and detail, it cannot be beat. I consider this a companion to the ones listed above. Get em all if you can, but make sure you OWN this one!!!!!

Meridith

This is the bible of stage make-up. It has wonderful step-by-step pictures so you see the process. I loved the fact that there was no flowery language to complicate learning. It caters to the beginner and the professional. If you are serious about learning the trade, this is the investment to make. This was a recommended book for me in college and it helped give me an edge over my classmates. If you don't know where to start, or would like to brush up on your technique, this is a great resource.

An outstanding and complete resourse for Theatrical Makeup

For both the amateur and professional, alike, Richard Corson's "Stage Makeup" is an essential resource for both the makeup artist and the performer. In my 35 years of experience in the performance industry, I have found no other single resource that is so well illustrated and written. -Ed Thurber- Marlboro Theatrical Technology

Premier book on theatrical makeup

A plethora of books exist which discuss the techniques of theatrical makeup; Corson's work is undeniably the best of them all. The first edition, published in the early 1940s, set the theatrical world on its ear. No more were performers advised that a faux wrinkle was effectively portrayed by a pencil line or that the physical characteristics of standard theatrical types--butler, old maid, Irishman, and so forth--were simple matters of formula. The book would be a must-have if it explained only technique; it is its insistence that every character is unique and the product of any number of internal and external influences that makes it superb--and the one essential volume for every actor's personal library. Highly recommended

For beginners or experts, this is the book on makeup.

Long considered the bible of theatrical makeup, the author takes you through the step by step processes of designing makeup from the script onwards. His color system is without peer, and is extremely useful to anyone trying to sort through all the products available. Lots of illustrations, photographs, show how it's all done. Regardless of your status, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, this is the single best source of general makeup procedures to own. The price may seem a bit steep, but it's well worth it. Nowhere else will you find such information organized and compiled into a neat package. And Corson's a heck of a writer: his philosophy of makeup creation and what it means for the actor is itself worth the price of the book.