Vertically mounted lighting provides an even intensity on all parts of a full-size black light puppet. Below are step-by-step instructions for making your own free-standing vertical light fixture. The materials list is for one light fixture. You may wish to build two fixtures, one for each side of the puppet or stage. You may also wish to add a switch to turn the lights on and off at the fixture. Keep a can of flat black spray paint on hand if these fixtures will be transported often or stored where they will be bumped a lot. Spray paint does not adhere well to pvc and the housing will need an occasional touch-up. » I want to read more! »
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How To Write Puppet Scripts
1. Know which puppets, and how many, will be used.
2. Decide what kind of stage is needed.
3. Keep the sketch short, due to attention span of listeners and fatigue factor of puppeteers.
4. Provide fast action. » I want to read more! »
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Puppet Ministry – Puppets, Puppet Theaters, and Puppet Shows
I frequently receive questions about running an effective puppet ministry. Just the term “puppet ministry” can bring different images to mind to different people. For example, some think of a Christian puppet ministry as one that uses finger puppets in a toddlers Sunday School class. Others think of developing a puppet team of a large group of puppeteers which travel around using a large, portable puppet stage and a variety or mixture of half body and full body puppets. Still, others envision building a PVC-pipe stage in a Children’s Church room and relying upon volunteers to present puppet shows that are themed to the lessons and children’s church sermons. Of course, there are also those on the professional side who » I want to read more! »
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Adding Legs to Half Body Puppet
I am sure that there are a lot of other puppet directors like myself who are always looking for inexpensive ways to add to their puppet accesories. A good friend of mine who is a puppet designer and maker gave me this helpful hint. It is SOOO simple. Instead of buying costly legs, one only has to get new or second-hand children’s knee socks — stuff them– and pin them to the half body puppet. Shoes fit on quite nicely too! With pants or a dress on, no one is the wiser. Enjoy!
D. Flaharty
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Puppet Storage Ideas
Are your puppets turning into space invaders? Trying to fit that 5-gallon hat into a 5-quart tub? Most of us could use a little more storage space. But just having the space isn’t always the answer either. It’s nice to have a system where everything has a place and is in its place. I guess it is much like our van while traveling. When we load up for a ministry tour with conference speaking and kids camps or crusades, I could tell you just about where every item is in the van. Granted, I’d have to dig down a couple of layers of boxes to get to some of the stuff. When you go looking for supplies, resources, puppet clothes, props, etc., can you find them quickly? » I want to read more! »
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How To Make A Collapsible PVC Puppet Stage
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. » I want to read more! »
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The Inexpensive Way To Have A $400 Puppet Stage
Here’s a design that will cost much less 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 foot tall tier in front that is 6 feet long and 3 feet deep and a 6 foot tall tier in back that is also 6 feet long. » I want to read more! »
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Can Puppets Preach?
The effectiveness of puppetry is obvious. Just a click of the remote to a kid’s TV channel shows numerous big companies investing in puppetry to get their messages across to kids. With so many puppet-centered programs on television, quality puppetry in the church is even more important. Remember the verse that says that whatever you do, you should do it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not men (Col. 3:23)? We only want to give God our very best. That includes whatever we do in puppetry. Kids love puppets, in moderation. A certain church once had a terrible time with keeping the attention of their children, and had methodically removed the 4th and 5th graders to other classes during the Children’s Church hour. It wasn’t the children’s fault. Upon investigation, the Children’s Church time was about 90% puppets! To make things worse, the puppets were old and ragged. » I want to read more! »
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Creative Puppets
One way that I obtain some really cool puppets is to keep my eye open for unusual stuffed animals. All you have to do is unstuff them, receate the mouth area a little bit and you’ve got an awesome puppet! [For easy makeovers, look for stuffed animals with a mouth that is already separated--has top and lower jaws. You can insert a sleeve to hold the stuffing in place in the area where you are going to put your arm through. You can also put pieces of matte board in the top and lower jaws, like a regular people puppet would have, if you want the jaws to hold their shape.]
Tammy Estes
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