Puppet stages
Table Stage
Turn a card table on its side. Hide behind the table top and reach up
above the edge to work the puppets. If you want, you can also hang
blankets over the legs on each side.Hide behind a big chair or sofa. Use the top of the chair as your
stage.
Chairs-and-Board Stage
Rest a board across the backs of two chairs. Hang a blanket over the
board. Sit behind the blanket while you work the puppets.
Puppet stages are made so the audience can see the puppets, but can’t
see you. Here are some stages you can build with things found around
your house.
Chair Stage
Doorway Stage
Tape a blanket or sheet across the lower part of a doorway. Hide behind
the blanket while working the puppets.
Box Stage
Start with a large box or carton. Cut away one side of the box. To make
the front of the stage, cut a window in the other side of the box (see
inside cuts, page 37). Punch two holes in the sides of the box, near
the top. Tie a big button to one end of a long piece of heavy string.
Thread the string through the holes, and tie a big button on the other
side. Use clip clothespins or safety pins to hang a cloth curtain or a
picture from the string. Decorate the front of the stage with tempera
paint (see tempera paint, page 66). Hang a blanket over a table and
put the stage on it. Stand or sit behind the table and scenery while you
work the puppets.
Cardboard Stage
Use a scenery string for this stage just like the one for the box stage.
