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PLAY TIME
You don't need a TV or computer to have great home entertainment. Produce your own show with actors or puppets.
RESOURCES
Puppet and stage:
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How to make puppets
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How to make finger puppets
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How to make shadow puppets and a stage
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Adventure in a Box
Take it to the next theatrical level:
Free puppetry lessons and puppet shows:
The Little Angel Theatre
1brainstorm
Think about what kind of story you'd like to tell. It can be based on a personal story, favorite book, a Greek myth, Aesop's fable or fairy tale. Spend some time generating a few ideas.
Consider how many characters you are and how many puppets or actors you'll need. If you're using a stage, what kind of backgrounds will you want to make?
Look for a good spot to set up a stage so that you can fit behind it and people can comfortable sit in front to view the performance. It can be as simple as stringing a rope between two chairs and covering it with a sheet.
2WRITE
Many stories have a narrator telling the reader what's happening, but in plays the characters tell the story. Write your play so that characters have a dialogue.
As you write, feel free to change the story to make it your own. You can add characters and locations. For instance, you can change a character from a princess to a gymnast or the location from a castle to an apartment building.
3PLAN
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Puppets
Check out the links on this page for directions on several ways to make puppets. Be creative! Use things you find around you to create your puppets. The more unique they are, the more interesting your show will be. -
Stage
Decide if you want to be hidden behind a curtain or part of the performance (like I Want My Hat Back). You can even be one of the characters in your play! -
Lighting
Lighting can help direct attention to the activity on your stage. Consider ways you can change the lighting to support your story. For instance, when something dramatic happens, maybe all the lights go out. -
Sound
Think of ways that sound can help tell your story. Is there a song that's sung? A crashing sound? The sound of wind or waves? These sounds can really set the tone.
4SHOWTIME!
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Decide if you want to have tickets for your show and music playing while people are getting settled to set the mood. Arrange the seating so people are sitting higher in the back and their view isn't blocked by someone in front of them.
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Start by thanking everyone for coming, introducing the name of the play, who wrote it, and the names of the performers. Like in life, things don't always go exactly as planned, but that's what can make it interesting and fun. Maybe you've heard the expression, "The show must go on!"?
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Enjoy the show and remember to take a bow at the end!
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