CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR S.C. TEACHER CADET COURSE | EXPERIENCING EDUCATION, TENTH EDITION
Creating a Puppet Show
2. Puppet characters: Brainstorm the personality traits that each of these puppets
might have. Then design every aspect of the performance to develop these
personalities. The script (action and dialogue) should develop the personalities.
The construction should reinforce the puppets’ individual characteristics. The
performance (puppet posture, action, and especially voices) should further
develop the personality traits of each puppet.
3. Construction of puppets: Construct your puppets, keeping in mind the wide
variety of puppet designs (e.g. stuffed-sock puppets, stick puppets, finger
puppets, felt puppets, tool puppets, bag puppets, foam puppets, milk carton
puppets). Do not rule out any materials without first thinking of the many
creative possibilities available. You might also consider transforming a stuffed
animal into a puppet by creating a movable mouth for it. Doll outfits and infants’
clothing can make great costumes for puppets.
4. Puppet comparisons: Envision your puppets together before you actually begin
construction. For the sake of logic, certain consistencies must be maintained.
For example, if there is an adult puppet and a child puppet, the adult puppet
must be larger in size. If you are doing puppets representing families, there
should be similarities in construction; in other words, do not have a
“bear puppet” as a mother of a “dog puppet.” In most cases, it is better to use
puppets of similar construction (e.g., all felt puppets or all sock puppets) unless
a wide variety serves a purpose. However, puppets should not be so similar that
children cannot readily distinguish between them.
5. Stage: Create a stage appropriate for your puppets. Huge cardboard boxes such
as those that refrigerators are shipped in make tall, free-standing stages. Stages
can also be constructed out of light-weight plywood. If your skit takes place in
one setting, one opening for the puppets to perform is sufficient. If your story
needs two settings (e.g., home and classroom; indoors and outdoors), you might
need to construct a stage with two openings, each designed to indicate the
different location, or you could draw and color backdrops to change when you
close the curtain for a differe