5 Great Websites for Buying Theatre Prosthetics

Large-scale theater productions have no problem hiring make-up artists and other experts to handle their on-stage prosthetics. For smaller productions, such as civic theaters and high school plays, finding the right prosthetics to meet your costume needs can be a daunting task. Fortunately, a small budget doesn't need to mean a low-quality production. If you're looking to the perfect prosthetic arms, chins, noses - whatever - here are the five best sites to find them, without breaking the bank.

The Nightmare Factory

I suppose the name says it all at this website. When it comes to prosthetic noses, ears, headpieces, horns and wounds, you won't find what you need much cheaper than this. They also offer "character sets" with everything you need to turn yourself or your actors into the perfect character. For instance, their Demon Latex Appliance & Make-up Kit ($37.00) makes one freaky looking demon.

StageAndTheatreMakeup.com

If you know how to create your character, then this site is perfect, offering tons of do-it-yourself costume make-up and accessories. They also offer some prosthetics and tattoo coverings. If you're not sure how to create your character, they also offer a costume make-up tutorial DVD.

Special Effect Supply Corporation

The Special Effect Supply Corporation seems to specialize in supplying schools with the make-up and prosthetics they need for successful school productions. They provide suggestions, support and individualized kits for individuals needing help with theatrical cosmetics.

Stage Technology

Stage Technology offers a wide range of theatrical cosmetics, but they also offer some really innovative prosthetics. For noses and scars, they offer a Ben Nye brand wax, as well as solutions for teeth and creating wrinkles.

MakeBelieveCostume.com

This site has got to be the stage prosthetics superstore! I'm definitely going to have to come back to this site before Halloween. On this website, you'll find prosthetics for every need imaginable, including a wide range of classic, mythic and fantasy characters. And if you need to fake an injury, this site offers the most realistic (and painful) looking bullet, stab and puncture wounds around.