GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT PUPPETS:

Props and Sets

Props are objects that are found on the stage. Since puppets range in size from rather small to many times larger than lifesize, the props must usually be in proportion to the puppet. Asa reslt things which seem very small to people generally, may look huge next to a small puppet. This is where the talent comes in to spot object which can be used for props that really aren't those things. Next to a small puppet a thimble might look like a pail!

Here an elephant marionette stands on a "tub" showing off for the audience. The tub is actally the top of a hot pepper bottle.

Different kinds of puppets handle props quite differently. Hand puppets for example, can pick up objects quite easily since the puppeteers fingers are in the hands of the puppet. It is much harder for a marionette to do the same thing, since the hands are controled by strings. Sometimes a prop is on a string too, and the string may run through the marionettes hand so that when the marionette places a hand on the object, the puppeteer pulls the string attached to the object and it "adheres" to the puppets hand.

Back