How To Make A Collapsible PVC Puppet Stage
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Here’s a design that is inexpensive, portable, quick and easy to set up, and give the same performance!Your supply list may vary some, depending on the size and style you build. For this illustration, we will build a simple stage with a 4 pvc frame sections that are connected with cable ties from the electrical section of the hardware store.
–Stop by the home improvement or hardware store and pick up the following pvc pipe and joints.
* 3/4 inch ‘T’ joint — you’ll need 8 for the base
* 3/4 inch right angle joints — you’ll need 8 for the base
* 3/4 inch thick-wall pipe — you’ll need 6 10-foot pieces for the base
–First, cut five pvc pipes into three 3-foot length sections and one 1-foot piece. Then cut three 1-foot lengths from the remaining 10-foot pipe.
–Assemble four frames with a T-Joint at each bottom corner, a right angle joint at each top corner and a 3-foot section on each side as shown in the photo. Then put a 1-foot piece of pvc at the bottom for leg extensions. The T-Joints are marked 1, the right angle joints are marked 3, and the pipe sections marked 2.
(Note: The bottom leg extensions can be easily changed to create a taller of shorter stage for your puppeteers.)
–Attach the sections with the cable ties about 4 inches below the top right angle joints and 4 inches above the bottom T-Joints as shown. Wrap each pipe individually with electrical tape directly below the cable tie to keep it in place.
–The four attached sections with a curtain will appear like this.
–For easy storage and mobility the stage can be collapsed.
(Note the position of the tape and cable ties.)
Also, note that if you wish to have a top back curtain, you may use T-Joint on the ends instead of right angle joints as shown in this picture.
–A back piece can easily be constructed using a single pipe and joints, but for more durability and stability you may wish to create a double piped back piece as shown here.
That’s it!
by Greg Lichi / Gary Linn
You Will Find Great Puppets at EasyPuppets.com!
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2 Responses to “How To Make A Collapsible PVC Puppet Stage”
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Thank you for this simple puppet stage. I am going to get the stuff tomorrow to put it together. I think this is going to be perfect for our small area that we share.
I am having trouble understanding the back peice though. How does it attach to the front, and how long is it? Does it need support in the middle?
Thanks for the clarification.
Amy
Amy,
Thanks for the comment! You will notice that the puppet stage back uses T-joints at the top ends. Look closely at the third picture which shows the four attached sections to see the T-Joint at the left top end.
The bottom of both ends of the top back section looks just like the bottom of the ends shown in the first picture above. So, the top back simply sits down into the ends of the front side supports.
The length of the back is determined on how long you make the font. If the front is set out like shown above in the third picture, simply measure across from left to right to know the length.
Note: You can add a support in the middle of the back by using another T-joint and piece of pipe if you like, but it is unnecessary if you use the double supports shown in the final picture.