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A Tabletop Theater
By Molly Piper of Acorn & Rose
A Tabletop Theater A tabletop puppet theater may be made for free in less than an afternoon. Using something as simple and available as a cardboard box, cutting a window in it, decorating with paint or collage gets you started. It is an exciting project for a parent and child to share.
Next comes scenery, one or more backgrounds for a play or show of some kind. Cardboard or stiff paper, a few tempera paints and some imagination are all you need here. You and your child can paint any scenes you like - the inside of a room, a forest, the beach, a busy street - whatever will be appropriate for your story. You'll need to make at least two puppets. The simplest are paper cutouts with characters drawn on them. People, animals, fantasy creatures, any of these are great.
You attach them to sticks or thin strips of cardboard so they can be set in motion from the top or side of your stage. You can use other kinds of puppets as well - sock, hand and finger puppets are filled with possibilities. Perhaps the most challenging part is making up a story with a script. Where to start? Think about people you know, moments of life that have been striking in some way. You might want to talk with old people in your family or neighborhood to ask them about adventures they have had. You might turn to legends, stories, songs or books you like. You might pretend your family is taking a trip to a far-off place, or back in time to visit an admired historical figure. You might create a trip to your ideal future.
There is more to do: finding music you like for introduction and background. Use hand instruments or whatever you like.
Then there is figuring out what voices you want to use for your characters. Practicing voices is a delightful activity - squeaky, gruff, whispery . . . If you think about the voices and accents of people you know, this can keep you busy for some time.
As you can see, a tabletop theater involves many skills and activities. It involves imagination and healthy, constructive play that will get your kids familiar with their own abilities to create. Enjoy!
Molly Piper has worked since the 1980's as a teacher and workshop presenter for decades. She is author/designer/illustrator of several children's books, including The Magic Crayon. Molly is also the happy owner of Acorn & Rose Puppet Theater.
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Contributor's Note
Parents have told me they absolutely love this project because it opens a door to endless creative play.
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http://acornandrose.blogspot.com
| http://molly-piper.com/default.aspx
   
A workshop I taught, using matt board for the theaters
Bird and squirrel have an adventure.
Drawing the background scene
Getting started
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May, 2012
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