Face Painting for School Concerts
Almost every school in South Africa hosts an annual concert, and it’s always a highlight for both parents and children. These concerts often have fun and imaginative themes, with students dressing up in costumes to bring their characters to life. Adding face painting for school concerts takes the performance to the next level, helping children truly embody their roles and making the entire production more magical.
One of the most memorable concerts I had the privilege of working at was a high school production of Alice in Wonderland at a school in Pretoria East. The students had already done a fantastic job preparing their basic stage make-up, but I was brought in as a professional face painter for the school concert to handle the more detailed and intricate designs for the leading roles.
I was asked to paint characters such as the Queen of Hearts, the Mad Hatter, the Caterpillar, an Owl, and several flower girls. Since these characters are not the everyday superheroes and butterflies I often get requests for, I made sure to practice ahead of time. The drama teacher had a clear vision, and I wanted to ensure my face paints matched perfectly.
The Caterpillar design was by far the most challenging—it took me around 45 minutes to complete. This was quite a contrast to the quick 4–6 minute designs I usually do at parties and fun days! But the result was worth every second. The Mad Hatter was another highlight; the student had thick, bushy hair which was spray-painted orange, and with his detailed face paint, he looked completely transformed.
Once the face painting was complete, the students stepped into their costumes, posed for photos on stage, and looked absolutely spectacular. Seeing their excitement and pride made me so proud of my handiwork and reminded me why I love what I do as a face painter.
If your school is planning a concert and you’d like to add that extra touch of magic, consider hiring a professional face painter for your school concerts. It’s a simple way to elevate your production and ensure the children shine on stage.
Photos from the event
