Apply base that matches the actor's skin tone to all exposed skin, including the face, neck and hands. Apply makeup to the chest and arms if they are exposed. Base makeup for African-Americans presents a special challenge. You are working with a wide range of skin tones and a limited selection of makeup colors. However, stage makeup is easier than street makeup for two reasons: it is easy to mix greasepaint to achieve any color, and a perfect match is not necessary, since you will be applying the same makeup to the actor's neck, hands and arms.
Outline the actor's eyebrows with black pencil. For a natural look, use short, soft lines that mimic the eyebrow's hair growth pattern. For a broad comedy, you may want to draw exaggerated eyebrows. Create highly arched eyebrows for a siren, upward-slanting eyebrows for an evil character.
Apply blush to the cheekbones. Use a natural-looking blush on men. For women, use character blush---a circle of pink right on the cheekbone for a church lady, or a dramatic sweep of dark blush for a siren.
Apply translucent powder generously. Powder sets the makeup and gives it a translucent finish. Use a large brush to remove any excess powder.
Apply eyeliner and mascara. Both are optional on men and children. False eyelashes can be used on women in a broad comedy.
Use lipstick on women. Use a natural color or match the color to the costume. Women may also wear nail polish that suits their character.
Determine the year the play is set in and the season of the year. Study catalogs from the era to learn the styles of clothing that were popular that year. For a subtle comedy, mimic these styles as closely as possible.
Exaggerate the styles for a subtle comedy just enough to make the styles visible from a distance. For example, use slightly broader stripes and slightly bolder trim. Add accessories as needed. The director will tell you if a character needs a pocket, a handbag or a parasol.
Dress a stock character in a broad comedy so that the audience will know who he is the minute he walks on stage. Dress a church lady in a large striking hat and a conservative dress, a siren in a revealing dress, and a buffoon in old, loose-fitting clothing.