Wigs, Hair and Makeup Apprentice

Opportunity information

Salary £30784 per year
Duration 27 months
Advert closing date 19/02/2026

The Wigs, Hair and Make-up Department at the National Theatre makes and applies all wigs, facial hair, special effects, makeup, and blood effects used at the NT. They also undertake all barbering and hair processing requirements during the run of shows. They are closely involved with supporting directors and designers and their design concepts.

Please click >

Here Here Here< to view the full job description PDF

Person Specification

• Has demonstrable evidence of interest in wigs, hair and makeup such as through an introductory course or some entry-level employment e.g hair salon assistant.
• Shows that they enjoy making things.
• Can follow written spoken and visual instructions.
• Willing to undertake the qualification as outlined.
• Has Maths and English GSCE at Grade 4/C, or equivalent.
• Can work well within a team and communicate clearly.
• Can work effectively under supervision and be self-motivated to work on your own initiative.
• Has a helpful, positive and flexible approach and attitude, whether the work is routine or exciting.
• Is punctual and good at managing their own workload.
• Be able to follow strict health & safety rules and theatre working practices and to understand why it is important to do so.
• Has an interest in the environment and environmental issues of today and the future

This occupation is found in a broad range of creative and dynamic industries for example theatre, TV, film, fashion, commercials and print media (editorial). The broad purpose of the occupation is to uphold the highest standards of hygiene and technical application to achieve the required look meeting agreed standards for productions/performances across a range of artists, periods and cultures whilst maintaining health & safety requirements.

• K1:
  History of hairstyles and make-up. The typical characteristics of period styles through the centuries to allow further detailed research to be undertaken.
• K2:
  Research methods to ensure that make-up, hair, wigs, facial and prosthetics meet Supervisor/Designer /Director requirements for example, historical period
• K3:
  Understand the overall look required for each role for example different age groups using drawings, photographs or models to identify the Supervisor/Designer/Director design requirements
• K4:
  The design process including the development of a detailed plan which must contain details of the performer, their role, design references including costumes, how many looks, if using own hair, a wig or hair pieces, switches and weft pieces, own facial or is facial required, any known allergies or sensitivities, colour palette for hair/wig and make up; sfx prosthetics required;
  
  timescales for making, fittings and application
• K5:
  The range of tools and materials required for hair, wigs, make-up and prosthetics activities including those for wig, hair piece, facial making; hair, wig, hair piece, switches and weft pieces, facial cutting, styling and application; make-up application; sfx making and application
• K6:
  Health and Safety Legislation, Regulations, policies and procedures including hygiene standards, data protection, COSHH, Manual Handling and producing Risk Assessments.
• K7:
  Environmental Legislation including storage and disposal of chemicals, disposal of rubbish; recycling, as it applies to the role.
• K8:
  Impact on and requirements of other departments to complete hair, wigs, make-up and prosthetics activities
• K9:
  How to prepare and store detailed design notes, reference sheets and photographs for individual performers to ensure consistency and continuity throughout the performance/production
• K10:
  The requirements of the preparatory stages, rehearsals and actual performance/production
• K11:
  How to assess individual performer’s make-up requirements in accordance with the plan and identify workspace, environment, allergies/sensitivities, skin type, colour, skincare and timings
• K12:
  The range of make-up assessment techniques to ensure the required look
• K13: A variety of make-up application techniques for body and face for example brushes,…