What’s happening at AMUA
We’re about halfway through the fall 2020 term, and despite the odds things are still moving and shaking around here! Here’s a look at what’s happening behind the scenes at Academy of Make Up Arts.
But first, Happy Anniversary AMUA!
As you may know, AMUA Nashville originally launched in 2010 with a 4-week makeup artist training program that focused primarily on beauty makeup. As short as it was, it was sufficient for dozens of makeup artists to get their start in the business; many of which are still practicing artists today!
Fast-forward to 2020- we’ve added programs in Special Effects, Wig & Hair Making, and our new pride and joy, the Performance Makeup Artist Program.
We had fun creating this timeline, check it out!
March 15, 2010
2010
Ashley Lords establishes AMUA Nashville on her birthday!
March 15, 2010
November 10, 2011
2011
AMUA receives its authorization from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.
November 10, 2011
November 3, 2014
2014
Ben Rittenhouse joins AMUA and creates the Special Effects training program.
November 3, 2014
March 8, 2017
2017
Michael Meyer joins AMUA and creates the Wig & Hair Design training program.
March 8, 2017
July 31, 2020
2020
The team welcomes two new instructors, and we all join forces to create the Performance Makeup Artist Program.
July 31, 2020
November 10, 2020
Happy Anniversary, AMUA!
AMUA has been Authorized by the Tennessee Higher Education for 10 years!
November 10, 2020
Performance Makeup Artist Program
We’re about 12 weeks into our pilot run of the Performance Makeup Artist Program. Students in this program are learning (or improving) their foundational art skills. They’re so much about the History of Makeup, and honing hands-on skills like drawing, sculpting, photography, costuming, and character design.
We couldn’t be more proud of our instructors and students for the passion and dedication that they pour into their work each and every day. And we are excited to see how these foundational skills will elevate their work during their next two semesters when they get hands-on with makeup and wig design beginning in the Spring!
Backstage
Many theaters are temporarily closed due to the circumstances that all but define 2020. However, there are still a few who decided, “the show must go on” even if that means on-line!
Some of the productions our crew has recently worked on are “As You Like It,” a Hunger Games rendition of a Shakespeare Classic. It included some very vibrant and radiant wigs styled by alumni, Hannah Barnwell. If vibrant is your thing, you can’t do much better than Hannah. Check her out!
Erin Strange and Jane Ward, both Spring 2020 grads, worked on a Bigfoot Costume for the local Indie band Creature Comfort.
Sam Ulicny, a current student, worked on the Belmont University film production of Life of Emanuel.
Current students Zack Lankford and Ansley Hughes are styling wigs for the Harpeth Hall production of Silent Sky coming in November.
We know several other alumni are working hard despite the pandemic, and we’d love to hear about it! Share your news with us!
Standalone Courses Are Now an Option!
We’ve had requests from individuals who are already working in the field to take a course in a specific area where they need to grow. Thanks to those requests, we’re now happy to offer individual courses. Some of which can be taught online, reach out to Admissions to see what’s possible.
Want to take our drawing class, or how about our Intro to Costuming? Want to take them online? No problem!
You can now enroll in the following individual courses:
- Character Design
- History of Makeup
- Intro to Costuming
- Intro to Drawing
- Intro to Sculpting
- Makeup Artistry I and II
- Photography for the Makeup Artist
- Special Effects Lite
- Special Effects I and II
- Wig Making and Styling Lite
- Wig Making and Styling I and II