Special Effects Makeup Workshop

A hands-on crash course in special effects makeup, prosthetics, and realistic transformation techniques with Dani Lancaster‑Spinks.

***IMPORTANT: Registration to this workshop does not cover the costs of makeup supplies. Please reference this checklist of supplies to factor in any additional costs/expenses. Estimated additional cost: ~$180 if starting from scratch.

SCHEDULE

• Thursday, May 21, 2026: 5:30pm - 9:30pm

ABOUT THE "SPECIAL EFFECTS MAKEUP" WORKSHOP

Step into the world of practical effects with Special Effects Makeup Artist Dani Lancaster‑Spinks. In this hands‑on workshop, participants will learn how to create their own custom silicone prosthetics using 3rd Degree, a fast‑curing, industry‑standard material perfect for building wounds, scars, creature textures, and other transformative effects.

Dani will guide students through sculpting, curing, and applying their prosthetics, followed by techniques for blending, painting, and adding realistic details. The workshop also includes quick demos on bruising, scratches, and skin irritation effects, giving participants a versatile toolkit they can use for theatre, cosplay, film, or immersive performance.

No experience required, just curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to get a little messy.

ACCESSIBILITY

• Sliding-scale tuition is available; no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Email directors@detour.productions to learn more.
• Intersection for the Arts is ADA accessible and has gender-neutral restrooms.
• KN95 masks are encouraged, though not required. Please stay home if you are feeling unwell.
• Fragrance-Free: Please avoid perfumes, colognes, and scented products to support participants with chemical sensitivities.
• Have specific accessibility needs or questions? Reach out anytime at directors@detour.productions

ABOUT DANI LANCASTER-SPINKS

Dani Lancaster-Spinks is a Bay Area Special Effects Makeup Artist and immersive horror creator who has spent over a decade bringing nightmares to life. She began her career in film and television before founding Dreams on the Rocks Productions, a theatre company known for its eerie, visceral, and unapologetically queer storytelling.

In 2023, Dani co‑founded Eclectic Box, a vibrant sanctuary where queer and marginalized artists can experiment, collaborate, and bring their wildest ideas to life.

Her craft includes SFX makeup, prosthetic sculpting, gore fabrication, and atmospheric set and prop design. Dani’s work has appeared in haunts, immersive experiences, and stage productions across the Bay Area, where she specializes in practical effects that feel disturbingly real and thrillingly alive. She teaches SFX workshops that demystify the craft and empower participants to build monsters, wounds, and creatures from the ground up.

When she’s not building creatures or sculpting oddities, she studies 3D character animation and creates original illustrations and comics steeped in dark whimsy. Her portfolio is at www.agoreabledesigns.com, with more about her theatre company at www.dreamsontherocksproductions.com.