Make up has evolved in being the most important element in every theater performances in every part of the world. During the days of the great Greek Theaters, the face paintings did all the hard work in showing their emotions and expressions. Make up was unnecassary. Actors also wore evarious masks to portray another gender, age or entirely different likeness.
Since then, make up has played a major role in theater performances. This reason is that it can be the perfect way for an actor to portray his or her characters on stage. Characterization also plays a part in this process. If a male actor has to become a female character on stage, he must transform himself completely in able to make the audience believe he's a woman. Including also the age factor, the skin tone and all the elements that he has to take into account in being that character.
Other than that, advancements in stage lighting technology required stage make up to evolve beyond one overall face colour to a multidimensional craft. Once gas lighting, limelight, and electric light were introduced to theaters, a need emerged for new make up materials and more skillful application techniques.
