Lead Makeup Artist – Scaregrounds PDX 2026

Job Position(s): Lead Makeup Artist – Scaregrounds PDX 2026

Wonderforge Events LLC is hiring a Lead Makeup Artist for Scaregrounds PDX 2026, based in Portland, OR. This role sits at the top of the makeup department for a large-scale haunted attraction, responsible for designing all character looks, building application standards, and getting up to 100 performers show-ready each night across multiple haunted attractions at Oaks Amusement Park. It suits a working makeup artist with theatrical or horror makeup experience who is ready to step into a department head role and own the full operation from preseason planning through closing night.

About the Role

The Lead Makeup Artist manages a team of six artists across nightly live entertainment productions that run throughout the Halloween season, coordinating directly with the Cast Director, Costume Department, and Attraction Managers. A typical evening involves running the makeup room workflow, quality-checking every performer before doors open, and troubleshooting issues mid-operation without slowing the schedule. Preseason work includes developing character makeup designs, writing reference guides, building supply budgets, and training the team before opening night.

Key Responsibilities

• Recruit, train, and supervise six makeup artists, setting nightly workstation assignments and maintaining consistent application standards across all haunted attractions.
• Develop full character makeup designs for every attraction, including reference guides that allow the team to apply looks efficiently at high volume.
• Manage all makeup room operations each evening, ensuring every performer clears the department and is show-ready before opening.
• Oversee sanitation protocols, skin safety procedures, and the maintenance of brushes, adhesives, prosthetics, and all department tools.
• Build preseason supply lists and budgets, then manage inventory and reorder materials throughout the run of the show.
• Conduct end-of-season documentation of all equipment and provide written recommendations to improve department operations for the following year.

What You Bring

• A portfolio demonstrating horror makeup, SFX, theatrical makeup, or prosthetic application work at a professional level.
• Prior supervisory or lead experience in a makeup department, whether in haunted attractions, theatrical productions, theme park entertainment, or film and television makeup.
• Hands-on experience with foam latex or silicone prosthetics, wound simulation, and airbrushing is a strong advantage.
• Proven ability to manage high-volume makeup application under strict time constraints with consistent quality output.
• Working knowledge of makeup sanitation standards and skin safety practices in a shared-use environment.

Why This Role

Scaregrounds PDX is one of the Pacific Northwest’s largest Halloween events, drawing significant audiences each season to Oaks Amusement Park, and the makeup department is central to what makes it work. This is a department head credit in live entertainment makeup production, with real design ownership and a team to build. The seasonal stipend is $4,000 to $6,000 based on experience and successful completion of the season, with an hourly rate of $40 to $50.

Apply now for the Lead Makeup Artist position with Wonderforge Events LLC and bring the monsters of Scaregrounds PDX 2026 to life.