Wigs, Hair and Makeup Apprentice

THE ROYAL NATIONAL THEATRE

LONDON (SE1 9PX)

Closes in 11 days (Monday 23 February 2026)

Posted on 11 February 2026

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Summary

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 barbering and hair processing requirements during the run of shows and are closely involved with supporting directors & designers and their design concepts.

Wage

£30,784 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

The annual salary of £30784 is on a Pro rata basis

Training course
Hair, wigs, make-up and prosthetics technician (level 3)
Hours
The successful apprentice will work a 40 hour work week, with exact shift times to be confirmed.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 6 April 2026

Duration

1 year 9 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

What is a Wigs, Hair and Make-up Artist?

A theatre wigs, hair and makeup artist is someone who is based at a theatre and works on the shows, providing a service to create a character following a design brief.

Purpose of the Role:

  • 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 thus closely involved with directors and designers, supporting them and realising their design concepts
  • They also work closely with actors during the production period and throughout the run of the show
  • Working as part of the NT’s WHAM Department you will learn about and understand the role this department plays within a theatre and can develop high quality, specialist skills in a realistic professional environment
  • You will be working to realise the design concepts of directors and designers and will learn hairdressing, barbering, wig making, prosthetics, on-stage effects and cosmetic make-up skills
  • You will also learn about the vital role collaboration and communication play in the creative design process and how to work closely with people in a time-pressured and dynamic environment

Duties and Responsibilities:

At the NT you will:

  • Apply the skill you learn during training and put them to use to be able to work alongside the team, backstage and on shows
  • Attend dress rehearsals of shows that you we are working on
  • Work to agreed deadlines, consulting always with Head of Department or Workshop Coordinator
  • Maintain high standards of operations and good housekeeping in the workshop and backstage
  • Participate in the provision of a safe working environment, always acting within the company’s Health & Safety policy
  • Participate in other training as necessary and appropriate, including visiting other workplaces on placement when available
  • Carry out any other reasonable duties as requested by the Head of Department, Workshop Coordinator or a supervisor
  • You will be supported at the NT by a dedicated mentor

At all times you will be expected to:

  • Take responsibility for being on time and always working safely and considerately
  • Take responsibility for completing your college work and making sure your manager knows when a college assessor is visiting
  • Behave professionally, including keeping workspaces neat and tidy
  • You will sometimes be asked to work evenings and weekends, and will be given time off in the week to make up for it (this is called Time Off in Lieu)

By the end of the apprenticeship, you will have a working knowledge of:

  • Haircutting and colouring.
  • Hair setting and dressing
  • Wig setting and dressing
  • Learning the correct method of artists own hair preparation under a wig, depending on hair texture and length
  • To apply a wig on an artist using the correct pin type and areas to be pinned
  • Making wigs, foundations and measurements
  • Making wigs, knotting
  • Making facial hair
  • Making weft and hairpieces
  • Creating blood effects
  • Creating and applying prosthetics
  • Makeup, straight (natural makeup)
  • Make up, special effects (bald caps, prosthetics etc.)
  • Show management (quick changes, under wig hair prep.

Where you'll work

ROYAL NATIONAL THEATRE
UPPER GROUND
LONDON
SE1 9PX

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

THE WEST MIDLANDS CREATIVE ALLIANCE LIMITED

Training course

Hair, wigs, make-up and prosthetics technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Use research to establish exact make-up, hair, wigs, facial and prosthetics requirements of the Supervisor/ Designer/Director to meet requirements
  • Produce a detailed plan for the make-up/hair/wigs/facial/prosthetics to meet the Supervisor/Designer/Director requirements to include:Tools and materials, Health and Safety Legislation, Regulations, policies and procedures including Risk Assessments, hygiene standards, data protection, Environmental Legislation impact, Impact on and requirements of other departments, design notes, reference sheets and photographs to ensure consistency and continuity, the requirements of the preparatory stages, rehearsals and actual performance/production, timescales
  • Choose and apply make-up to meet the design requirements
  • Undertake colour assessment in order to apply body and facial make-up
  • Prepare and maintain equipment including cleaning and storage after use
  • Monitor and touch-up make-up to ensure continuity for the duration of the performance/production
  • Explain what to do if an allergic reaction to make-up occurs
  • Remove make-up in accordance with hygiene requirements, dispose of materials in accordance with process requirements
  • Store make-up removal products, tools and equipment in accordance with process requirements
  • Prepare hair for wig, hair piece, switch, weft, facial making including assessing/selecting according to texture, type, length, colour/shade, pre-blend/mix as drawn, colouring or root shading as required
  • Pre-curl hair as required
  • Store hair, wigs, hair pieces, switches, weft, facial hair in accordance with requirements
  • Take head wraps including measurements, face wraps, creating head/face blocks and making foundations to meet design requirements
  • Knot facial hair, wigs and hair pieces using a knotting direction template/instructions to meet design requirements
  • Make weft pieces and switches to meet design requirements
  • Make alterations and repairs to wigs
  • Cut, colour, set, dress-out and style hair: set and dress-out wigs or hair pieces and cut and dress-out facial hair to meet design requirements
  • Create prosthetics including bald caps, body parts, wounds and blemishes
  • Apply prosthetics ensuring fit and comfort, blending edges and colouring
  • Explain what to do if an allergic reaction to prosthetics occurs
  • Remove prosthetics in accordance with health and safety requirements
  • Create and fit injuries to meet design requirements
  • Apply stage bloods to meet design requirements
  • Monitor spend/use of resources and highlight under/overspend/use in accordance with agreed process
  • Develop a personal work plan to identify potential periods of peak workloads
  • Use research to establish exact make-up, hair, wigs, facial and prosthetics requirements of the Supervisor/ Designer/Director to meet requirements
  • Produce a detailed plan for the make-up/hair/wigs/facial/prosthetics to meet the Supervisor/Designer/Director requirements to include:Tools and materials, Health and Safety Legislation, Regulations, policies and procedures including Risk Assessments, hygiene standards, data protection, Environmental Legislation impact, Impact on and requirements of other departments, design notes, reference sheets and photographs to ensure consistency and continuity, the requirements of the preparatory stages, rehearsals and actual performance/production, timescales
  • Choose and apply make-up to meet the design requirements
  • Undertake colour assessment in order to apply body and facial make-up
  • Prepare and maintain equipment including cleaning and storage after use
  • Monitor and touch-up make-up to ensure continuity for the duration of the performance/production
  • Explain what to do if an allergic reaction to make-up occurs
  • Remove make-up in accordance with hygiene requirements, dispose of materials in accordance with process requirements
  • Store make-up removal products, tools and equipment in accordance with process requirements
  • Prepare hair for wig, hair piece, switch, weft, facial making including assessing/selecting according to texture, type, length, colour/shade, pre-blend/mix as drawn, colouring or root shading as required
  • Pre-curl hair as required
  • Store hair, wigs, hair pieces, switches, weft, facial hair in accordance with requirements
  • Take head wraps including measurements, face wraps, creating head/face blocks and making foundations to meet design requirements
  • Knot facial hair, wigs and hair pieces using a knotting direction template/instructions to meet design requirements
  • Make weft pieces and switches to meet design requirements
  • Make alterations and repairs to wigs
  • Cut, colour, set, dress-out and style hair: set and dress-out wigs or hair pieces and cut and dress-out facial hair to meet design requirements
  • Create prosthetics including bald caps, body parts, wounds and blemishes
  • Apply prosthetics ensuring fit and comfort, blending edges and colouring
  • Explain what to do if an allergic reaction to prosthetics occurs
  • Remove prosthetics in accordance with health and safety requirements
  • Create and fit injuries to meet design requirements
  • Apply stage bloods to meet design requirements
  • Monitor spend/use of resources and highlight under/overspend/use in accordance with agreed process
  • Develop a personal work plan to identify potential periods of peak workloads

Training schedule

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.

KSBs:

Knowledge:

  • 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

Skills:

  • S1: Use research to establish exact make-up, hair, wigs, facial and prosthetics requirements of the Supervisor/ Designer/Director to meet requirements
  • S2: Produce a detailed plan for the make-up/hair/wigs/facial/prosthetics to meet the
  • Supervisor/Designer/Director requirements to include:Tools and materials, Health and Safety Legislation, Regulations, policies and procedures including Risk Assessments, hygiene standards, data protection, Environmental Legislation impact, Impact on and requirements of other departments, design notes, reference sheets and photographs to ensure consistency and continuity, the requirements of the preparatory stages, rehearsals and actual performance/production, timescales
  • S3: Choose and apply make-up to meet the design requirements
  • S4: Undertake colour assessment in order to apply body and facial make-up
  • S5: Prepare and maintain equipment including cleaning and storage after use

Behaviours:

  • B1: Is respectful of others views and beliefs – equality, diversity and inclusion
  • B2: Works effectively with others
  • B3: Continuously develops their knowledge and skills
  • B4: Pays attention to achieve the detail required
  • B5: Balances many differing elements of work

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4)
  • Maths (grade 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Patience

Other requirements

This is a Level 3 apprenticeship; therefore, applicants must be suitable for study at that level and NOT:

• Hold a degree in theatre, tv, film or design, HND, or a post graduate qualification or Hairdressing qualification above level 2.
• Have extensive intermediate (or above) experience (over 6 months) of working professionally in Wigs, Hair and Makeup in the creative industries or health and beauty sector.

About this employer

Our Mission

We believe that great theatre sparks imagination and brings people together.

Every day we strive to make the world a better place through theatre; entertaining and inspiring audiences around the world, using our creativity, expertise and unique reach.

We are your National Theatre. You’ll find us in theatres. In cinemas. In schools. And online.

https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/home/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

The full list of company benefits can be found on the PDF linked in our vacancies page, under the 'main description' heading

After this apprenticeship

  • This apprenticeship is for those with a passion for theatre, who haven’t yet had experience of working in professional theatre. It is designed to provide you with the skills necessary to work as a wigs and make-up technician in the wider creative and cultural sector, and although it is possible that future opportunities for work may arise, it is not intended that this apprenticeship will lead to a permanent position with the NT

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE WEST MIDLANDS CREATIVE ALLIANCE LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000013965.

Apply now

Closes in 11 days (Monday 23 February 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.