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Earn Your BFA in Wig and Makeup Design from the Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts

Webster’s Conservatory of Theatre Arts BFA degree in Wig and Makeup Design is one of only a few programs whose productions are designed entirely by undergraduate students; faculty input on production work is strictly advisory. Design students acquire production experience necessary for their degree and simultaneously build exciting, varied portfolios. The combination conceptual work in the design classroom coupled with practical shop and stage work creates a unique opportunity for artistic and professional growth. And our curricular sequence aims to improve each student’s artistic skills.

Students majoring in Wig and Makeup Design pair design classes with fine arts courses throughout their time at Webster. Many students also opt to study abroad or do an internship during their third or fourth year at the University.

 

A couple face each other about to embrace. They are dressed in period clothing. His hair is pulled into a ponytail and she wears her hair in an updo pinned with flowers.

Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, 2024

An actor wearing a peacoat and stocking cap, has a beard made of pearls and a sleeve with fishing net. Behind the actor is a chair and a hanging draped cloth.

The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, 2024

A king with a crown and fur lined cape stands with a sword pointed out and blood splattered on his face and hands.

Silence, 2024

An actor in period high-collared vest with lace trim and bell sleeves wears their grey hair pulled back and a long, handlebar mustache with the ends curled inward.

Sueño, 2022

Two actors dressed in period clothing stand on a balcony nose-to-nose about to kiss. Her hair is pulled back on sides with long curls running down the length of her back. His hair is short and wavy.

Romeo and Juliet, 2023

An actor smiles. She has bright green hair coming to two points on top resembling horns. She wears black lipstick and eye makeup and is dressed in a hot pink, furry vest and black lace top.

American Idiot, 2022

Choose Webster for Your BFA in Wig and Makeup Design

Train with the Pros

Sargent Conservatory’s training program benefits from several professional partnerships, including collaborations with the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival and The Muny. We share our wig shop with The Rep and with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. We are able to offer students unparalleled opportunities to work alongside professional theatre artists, stage managers, directors and designers in the city’s thriving theatre scene.

Mentorship from Experienced Faculty

Sargent Conservatory’s faculty members are working professionals and dedicated educators committed to nurturing their students’ artistic growth. Learn more about the individual accomplishments of our faculty. Their work includes Broadway, off-Broadway, regional and international credits, as well as projects in a variety of other fields (film, television, voice-over, corporate events). Several faculty members are currently employed by our professional partners. As a result, students in our technical production programs consistently have the opportunity to work in professional endeavors.

Two masked actors in ripped dresses stand in aggressive poses with clenched fists. This production was held during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Several with rich-colored suits and slick-backed and embellished hair; all wear coordinating masks for this production held during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Actor with curly red hair in an updo, stylized face makeup and wears blue top with white overalls and black mask and gloves shrugs to the side with arms held to side.

Featured Alum

Our alums include Charlotte Seidensticker (BFA in Wig and Makeup Design, ’22), whose post-graduation work includes design for Glimmerglass Festival and MCC Theatre. Photos highlight her work in WebCo’s “Urinetown (2021)," for which Seidensticker served as wig, hair and makeup designer.

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Meet the Faculty
Professional Partners
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Webster's Sargent Conservatory Curriculum

Our design programs begin with a fundamental first-year experience aimed to develop a common theatre vocabulary and practice. Key courses include:

  • Wig and makeup design 1
  • Wig and makeup design seminar
  • Fundamentals of design
  • Scenography
  • Drafting
  • Technical production
  • Introduction to drawing
  • Principles of drawing
  • 3-D design

In the second year of training, students delve into the specific processes of their disciplines. Production assignments complement coursework, ensuring students are putting learning to hands-on practice. Key courses include:

  • Wig and makeup design 2
  • Wig and makeup design seminar
  • Rendering
  • Vectorworks
  • Visual history
  • Figure drawing
  • Crew management
  • Theatre history

In their third year, design students focus their studies in their particular discipline and take on more creative responsibility in the Conservatory production process. Increasingly, students will take advantage of opportunities for professional experiences with our professional partners. Many students opt to take a semester abroad or on internship during the third year. Key courses now include electives in other design areas:

  • Wig and makeup design 3
  • Wig and makeup design seminar
  • Wig and makeup design electives
  • Figure drawing

The fourth year aims to provide a smooth transition into professional practice. Production assignments will serve to round out a student’s resume, and preparation for the Senior Portfolio Open House will entail creating a website and fine-tuning interviewing skills. Classes typically involve:

  • Wig and makeup design 4
  • Wig and makeup design seminar
  • Design electives
  • Professional practice
Explore the Program

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Wig and Makeup Design

Find out more about the overall curriculum, electives, learning outcomes and more.

Discover the Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts

Program Details

Explore our catalog for more details about courses and admission requirements for our BFA program.

Locations

This program is offered in person at our Webster Groves, Missouri, location.

Theatre Scholarships

Almost every full-time undergraduate student at Webster University receives some sort of financial aid. Webster’s Office of Financial Aid is committed to making a college education affordable.

Additionally, the Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts awards annual scholarships designated specifically for theatre majors. In 2023-2024, the department awarded over $225,000 in scholarships to its students. Most of these awards are reserved for our third- and fourth-year students. Every year we also allot some scholarships to first-year students. These awards are made in consultation with the recruiting faculty and the Office of Financial Aid. There is no separate application process. Please contact Andrew Laue, Associate Director of Fine Arts Admissions at lauear@webster.edu for additional information.

Lucy Garlich
Dorothy & Matthew Englis Annual Theatre Scholarship Recipient

“With my degree, I have the ability to come in contact with so many people and hopefully, make their show experience a positive one, where they feel comfortable and can have fun, too!”

Lucy Garlich
Lucy Garlich

BFA in Wig and Makeup Design, ’22

Actor with curled salt-and-pepper wig wears dark blue top jacket, floral vest and teal pants.

Apply Today for the BFA in Wig and Makeup Design

Actor with curled salt-and-pepper wig wears dark blue top jacket, floral vest and teal pants.

Webster's Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts is committed to your artistic growth and academic success. The first step is to fill out an application.

Contact Dennis Bensie, Instructor of Wig and Makeup Design

Step 1: Complete Your ApplicationStep 2: Schedule Your Interview/Review

Get Started on Your Fine Arts Degree in Wig and Makeup Design

Take the next step toward earning your BFA in Wig and Makeup Design — we are here to help you get started.

Explore

Learn more about our academic programs and our main campus and locations.

Engage

Connect with our admissions counselors and academic advisors.

Apply

Apply to Webster and take the next steps for financial aid and scholarships.

Contact the Admissions Office to Find Out More

If you have more questions about the program, your application or other enrollment-related inquiries, contact our Admissions Office.

Call 314-246-7800 or 800-753-6765 or send an email to admit@webster.edu.