Puppets in Education
Build Your Own PVC Pipe Puppet Stage
This is one design for making your own pvc pipe puppet stage. This type of theatre is relatively inexpensive to build and is easy to disassemble and pack up for storage or travel.
Pvc pipe or plumming pipe is found in most hardware or home building supply stores. No dimensions are given with these plans, because the size (including height) will depend on the size of the puppeteers and how much space is required for movement inside the theatre. So before purchasing the lengths of pipe, you will need to determine the size of stage you need and then do a little math to figure out how many feet of pipe to buy.
The pipe comes in different diameters. The smallest size works well for smaller productions and makes a very light, portable stage, but I prefer the medium diameter for greater stability because I often attach a variety of props, scenery and flood lights to the frame.
Connectors or Fittings
On your shopping list you will need:
- 8 T connectors
- 6 90º connectors with single collar
- 2 90º connectors with double collars
- enough pipe to build the size of pipe puppet stage you need
- hack saw to cut pipe
- pvc cement for permanent connections
- duct tape for securing temporary connections
The illustration shows larger drawings of the connectors beside each joint so that you can more easily see where each goes.
The 90º elbow and T connectors can be permanently glued together using the pvc cement. These could then be glued to the side rails so that these connections are secure. The 90º elbows could also be glued to the short uprights for the upper level. The 2 T connectors could be glued to the bottom rear uprights. Do the same for both sides of the stage. All other connectors are attached when the stage is set up and can be reinforced with duct tape.
Just add curtains and you're ready to go!
The easiest way to add curtains is to slide pocket curtains over the front, side and 2nd level pipes. Don't forget to put the curtains on before assembling the top rails.
Download print version of pipe puppet stage.
Need a marionette style theatre?
