Puppets in Education

Marionette Puppet Stage

This is a simple plan for making a marionette puppet stage from a large box. Marionettes or string puppets require a different stage layout to that of hand puppets since the puppeteers must stand behind the opening instead of below it.

There are few actual dimensions given with the plans because measurements would depend on the size of the puppeteers, the marionettes and the placement of the stage (desk, table etc.).

Materials needed:

large heavy duty cardboard box
scissors or utility knife
ruler or measuring tape
wide duct tape (masking tape may work) or clamps to attach box temporarily to table
desk or table
material or paper to cover front of desk or table
construction paper and markers, paint ....

Basic Structure Before selecting and cutting the box determine the height of the puppeteers and the height of the table that will hold the stage. The combined height of the box and table must be enough to hide the heads and hands of the puppeteers while still allowing them to hold the puppets over the screen at the back (darker area behind the puppet in the picture). If the box is not quite tall enough to hide the heads, a "false front" decoration can be added to make the front higher (see picture below).		Puppeteers stand behind table, hidden by "wings" of the box
Step 1 remove flaps from the top of the box as well as the front and back of the bottom side flaps at the bottom will be used to anchor the stage on the table and could be trimmed to 3-4'' (7-10cm) cut a "window" in the front of the box - determine dimensions according to size of puppets		remove the back of the box by cutting down the sides of box - cut in about 2" (5cm) from the edge trim the back so that it is slightly taller than the opening (window) cut in the front of the box The back becomes the screen for the back of the stage.
Step 2 turn the back piece around so that the tape will not be seen from the front tape it into place leaving enough space on the stage for the marionettes to move around freely line up the back screen to the edge of the table and tape the side flaps to secure the stage		overhead view
Step 3 cover the front of the table with material or paper to hide the feet of the puppeteers use construction paper or cardboard to decorate the front of your theatre - make it taller than the front of the box if more height is needed scenery can be drawn on paper and attached to the back screen - this makes it easy to change for different scenes or plays		Step 4 Add a Simple Curtain cut holes in the sides of the theatre just above the front opening slide a dowel longer than the width of the theatre through the holes tape a piece of material to the dowel turn the dowel to raise and lower the curtain

Need a hand puppet stage?