Equitable Stage Makeup and Hair (Coursera)

Equitable Stage Makeup and Hair (Coursera)

Go beyond the limitations of mainstream courses and gain a broad overview of inclusive makeup and hair practices, regardless of your experience level. Equitable Stage Makeup and Hair offers highly detailed videos and in-depth practice guides to train you on applying makeup for all skin tones and ways to prepare wigs for a variety of different hair textures. Designed to propel forward your skills, training in applying makeup for all skin tones, and wig preparation for a variety of hair textures, you will learn techniques for applying natural makeup for both on stage and camera, and aging makeup.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

The course allows you to tailor your learning experience based on your own makeup and hair needs with additional modules on trauma makeup, special effects makeup, or drag makeup.
Makeup application techniques are supported by lessons in facial anatomy, color theory, character analysis, and personalized makeup worksheet demonstrations. Hear from renowned makeup artists, performers, and drag queens to learn from their experience in the entertainment and theater industries. By learning inclusive methods of hair and makeup, you can work to build more equitable spaces for everyone.

What you'll learn

  • Learn foundational techniques for applying stage makeup for all complexions and bone structures.
  • Learn inclusive language and basic techniques for theatrical hair and wig preparation.
  • Analyze text and utilize color theory to develop characters through makeup and hair application.

Syllabus

Introduction to the Course
Welcome! This module will introduce you to the course instructors, share why we have crafted this course, and provide details about course logistics to help you prepare for success on this learning journey.

1: Setting the Stage
In this module, you will be introduced to the necessary vocabulary needed to foster inclusive theatrical makeup and hair processes and terminology. To get started, you will create a makeup kit that will enable you to complete the modules in this course.

2: Designing Makeup for Your Face
In Module 2, you will get to know all about faces - the anatomy and vocabulary that will become the roadmap for makeup design and application. Then, we'll explore color theory and how color informs the application of makeup. After reading the short play, A Park Bench Triptych, you will analyze characters and create a research board that describes your design choices.

3: Basic Contour
It's time to put on some makeup! In Module 3, you will follow along as we hear from guest experts about how to apply contour, highlight, and foundation to create a balanced makeup application. We'll close by discussing strategies for scaling the makeup based on the size of the performance venue.

4: Aging
With a familiarity of makeup tools and techniques, in Module 4, you will apply these skills to age the face, create wrinkles, and explore how to adjust the makeup depending on the venue and lighting. These are great skills to develop especially for educational theatre where performers are often cast to play characters older than themselves.

5: Intro to Special Effects
Building on lessons in color theory, and introducing new household materials, in Module 5 you will have the option to practice simple special effects to create the illusion of bruises and wounds. Skills in this module can be used depending on the requirement of a script, deeper character development, and illusions needed as part of cosplay. Module 5 explores the world of trauma makeup and practical approaches to creating makeup looks for special effects. Building on lessons in color theory, you will also have the option to practice makeup looks for creating the illusion of bruises and wounds. Depending on the script or character needs, skills learned in this module are applicable to cosplay and deeper character development.

6: Hair
In Module 6, you will develop an understanding of different hair textures, and how to prepare different hair textures for wearing a wig. We will take a close look at theatrical wigs and facial hair to understand how to put them on, take them off, and take care of them for extended use.

7: Drag
Meet reality TV star and Drag artist Alexis Michelle! In this optional module, you will be guided through all the steps necessary to heighten your makeup with a fun exploration of gender in applying a drag makeup application. Time to get out some glitter!

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Career Planning: A Pathway to Employment (Coursera) Coursera
University System of Georgia

Career Planning: A Pathway to Employment (Coursera)

This course is designed to foster creative approaches to launching a new career. You will articulate best ways to make a first impression and analyze your strengths by creating a personal statement. You will identify appropriate elements to make your resume stand out from the crowd. You will also identify the most effective ways a cover letter can answer a job description, and how to best leverage social media in your job search.

Oct 5th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Studying at Japanese Universities (Coursera) Coursera
The University of Tokyo

Studying at Japanese Universities (Coursera)

Are you interested in studying at Japanese universities? Do you want to learn about Japan’s university application and enrollment processes, as well as the types of programs on offer? This course will help you to both discover great programs offered by different Japanese universities and prepare a study plan through project-based learning. We introduce a number of options to match a variety of goals, from full degree to non-degree programs, programs taught in English, as well as short-term programs in Japan. During the course, international students at UTokyo will provide you with useful information and advice to start you on the path to studying in Japan.

Oct 5th 2026
4 Weeks
Data Visualization and D3.js (Udacity) Udacity
Udacity,Zipfian Academy

Data Visualization and D3.js (Udacity)

Communicating with Data. Learn the fundamentals of data visualization and practice communicating with data. This course covers how to apply design principles, human perception, color theory, and effective storytelling to data visualization. If you present data to others, aspire to be an analyst or data scientist, or if you’d like to become more technical with visualization tools, then you can grow your skills with this course.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Color Theory Part 1- Understanding Color Relationships (Skillshare) Skillshare
Skillshare

Color Theory Part 1- Understanding Color Relationships (Skillshare)

I am a high school graduate and soon to be a college student. I plan on studying artwork in college like I have done in high school. Creating artwork has always been a big part of my life. As a child when I started drawing I would spend my days doing that rather than playing video games like my friends. I have been making artwork for a far back as I can remember and that is why I am excited to share what I have learned.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Graphic Design Essentials (edX) EdX
LCI Education

Graphic Design Essentials (edX)

Acquire the essential skills to become a working Graphic Designer from the basics of color theory to presenting a project to a client. This online course from LaSalle College Vancouver will introduce you to the basics of design, graphic and visual communication, image making, typography and the overall creative process, starting from the client mandate to the final presentations.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Designing for Textiles (edX) EdX
Smithsonian,SmithsonianX

Designing for Textiles (edX)

The Designing for Textiles workshop provides those who work in traditional crafts-based media with an introduction, or refresher, to design education through the lens of Armenian textiles. Based on an in-person training program that took place in 2018 through the My Armenia program, this workshop is a series of lessons and extension activities that build upon one another and encourage you to innovate in your own textiles-based design work.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
The Arts and Science of Relationships: Understanding Human Needs (Coursera) Coursera
University of Toronto

The Arts and Science of Relationships: Understanding Human Needs (Coursera)

This course provides an introduction to: 1- Basic concepts of The Strategies and Skills Learning and Development System (SSLD), their relevance for every day relationships and provide advanced concepts for participants who work in fields of social work and health care. 2- Basic practice principles and methods of SSLD, illustrated by relationship management case studies. 3- The SSLD framework for relationship management assessment; N3C (needs, circumstances, characteristics, capacity) and problem translation. 4- Core competencies in the relationship management application of the SSLD system: Observation learning, simulation, real life implementation, review and monitoring.

Oct 5th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Leading for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

Leading for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education (Coursera)

This course is open to professionals interested in learning more about leadership in higher education for a changing demographic or interested in developing their own leadership skills. The very idea that individuals can be taught to lead is not without its skeptics. Reasonable people, even some scholars in the field, point to the important traits, skills, and attributes that are observed in many visible leaders and contend that certain qualities necessary for effective leadership are not easily transmitted.

Oct 5th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Basic Elements of Design: Design Principles and Software Overview (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado Boulder

Basic Elements of Design: Design Principles and Software Overview (Coursera)

Designing for an organization, while requiring technical skill, is not just about knowing how to use a pagination program such as InDesign or manipulate photos using Photoshop. A designer is a visual storyteller, a person who pairs words with images and typography to best convey information to an audience. Good design evokes emotion and presents the news of the day with clarity and the proper tone.

Sep 21st 2026
3 Weeks
How to Create Video for Online Courses (Coursera) Coursera
University of Edinburgh

How to Create Video for Online Courses (Coursera)

Increasingly, as education pivots online, educators are looking to filmmaking as a way of creating new and exciting content. On this two-week course from the University of Edinburgh, you’ll learn how to turn your mobile phone into a full-featured video production suite to create effective and engaging online course videos and media. Develop the skills to script, storyboard, and film your videos.

Oct 11th 2026
2 Weeks
Fundamentals of Graphic Design (Coursera) Coursera
California Institute of the Arts

Fundamentals of Graphic Design (Coursera)

Graphic Design is all around us! Words and pictures—the building blocks of graphic design—are the elements that carry the majority of the content in both the digital world and the printed world. As graphic design becomes more visible and prevalent in our lives, graphic design as a practice becomes more important in our culture. Through visual examples, this course will teach you the fundamental principles of graphic design: imagemaking, typography, composition, working with color and shape... foundational skills that are common in all areas of graphic design practice.

Sep 21st 2026
4 Weeks