Loudoun Ballet Company - Nutcracker Make-up Guidelines

Maureen Miller - Artistic Director

The Nutcracker Make-up Guidelines

Each role in the production of the Nutcracker is special and requires its own make-up design. All performers are asked to comply with makeup and hair style specifications provided by the Loudoun Ballet Company. Theatrical make-up is applied much heavier than everyday make-up. Designs and colors are not chosen based on the individual coloring of the performer, but to create a certain "look" or "character" for a specific role. All dancers must be uniform in appearance and this includes their make-up.

In order to ensure consistency, the LBC is providing specific colors of blush, lip color and eye shadow for each role. However, we ask that each dancer bring their own eye-liner in black. We also ask that each performer arrive at the make-up station with a clean face.

The make-up volunteer will apply specific shades of blush, lip color, and eye shadow for their specific role. We will make every effort to ensure the purity of our supplies, by using fresh, clean applicators on each performer. We go through hundreds of these applicators for each performance. Contributions are both welcomed and appreciated. Please contact us if you are interested in making a donation. If your child has allergy concerns, please contact one of us and we can provide you with specific make-up colors for that role.

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Guidelines For All Performers

• Make-up will be applied at ALL performances and the following dress rehearsals:

• First Dress Rehearsal. LBC make-up volunteers will apply make-up to

principal roles only. All other roles have the option of applying their own make-up for THIS DRESS REHEARSAL ONLY.

• Second Dress Rehearsal. LBC make-up staff will be checking the makeup of

all cast members.

• Arrive on time with a clean face.

• Bring sharpened eye-liner pencil (black) to the make-up station (waterproof preferred, no liquid or felt

tip liners -they fade under the lights, rub off easily and smear). Wear a cover-up over costume (an old men's button down shirt works great -pull-over shirts are not recommended).

• NO FINGERNAIL POLISH shall be worn at performances including clear polish and decals. Please

remove at home before arriving at the venue.

• Hair and skin glitter shall NOT be worn except on roles specified by the make-up committee.

• No earrings, jewelry or hair ornament of ANY kind shall be worn unless you have been instructed

by Mrs. Miller.

• Female dancers' hair must be styled in a classical bun. All bangs and loose hair pieces must be secured

back and away from the face. Use hair pins and a hair net. Use plenty of bobby pins and please keep extras in your dance bag. The use of hair gels and hair spray are very effective. NO SHINY OR COLORED CLIPS OR BARRETTES. (Exceptions are Adult Female Party Guests, Baby Party Guests, and Coffee Soloist).

• All performers must be powdered. This is the final step at the make-up station. If you prefer to

purchase your own, please buy the loose translucent powder form.

• For all dancers who will be performing both the afternoon and evening performances, do not remove

make-up in between matinee and evening performances! We will not have time to completely re-do your make-up. In the evening we will simply freshen what is already there.

• We strongly urge you to remove al make-up after the last performance of the day. Cold cream,

baby oil, and baby wipes all work very well. Follow up with a non-drying soap and plenty of moisturizer.

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Productions of the Loudoun Ballet Company are partially supported by a grant from
the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.