Well, if he hasn't been cast in a show... I would  say none. 

Otherwise, it depends on the show. However, most male roles just call for street makeup, meaning that you want to use a foundation on the face, neck, hands. Use something to give the cheeks some color, and the lips some definition, and a little bit of eyeliner.

Just be subtle, though. You are applying makeup so that he looks 'natural' under the stage lights, not so he looks like he's wearing makeup.

-Tom

If it is any help, we have a 176 seat theater, and the people hardle wear make-up (unless we have to).  I have worked in bigger theatrical settings though, where minimal use has been nessesary.  Don't use too much, you'll (or the cast would look like a drag Queen).  Unless that is the desired effect that you need.

 

 

P

The major key is to see if street makeup will be enough. Also, it
helps to know the theatre and the lighting. If you have been there
before, you know whether or not others needed to use makeup.
When you really need the makeup to be more definitive, you'll know
because the lights will remove any plane on your face that makes it
distinctive. If the lights are strong enough, your face will look
ghostly, or flat, as the audience will not see that there is topgraphy
(different levels), as it's all washed out in light with no shadows.

My suggestion is that you try it out. The whole purpose is to make sure that under stage lights you still can make out his eyes and features and eyebrows I would say. So try it out and modify it so that it works. You might try it out first to see what features should be emphasised and then to see how the effect is on stage and make notes and do it the last time to time it.

Many times in the past our state community theatre organization invited Bob Kelly (of "Bob Kelly Makeup" fame) to do workshops for us at our state conference.  His workshops were always great, plus he was a great guy and a lot of fun.  One year, however, he was unable to attend, but arranged for a substitute:  Lee Bayjen (I'm not sure of the spelling) who was head of makeup at one of the major TV networks in NYC (can't remember which one).  He also did a good workshop, and his philosophy on how much makeup to apply was this:  always make up for the fifth row of your theatre.  A good rule of thumb, but I have always wondered:  what if your theatre only has 5 rows!  (like ours!)