Puppets

From SPARK

A puppet is a figure operated by hand that can be used to teach or tell a story to an audience. It is made to look like a human, animal, or some commonly recognized object.

It may be made of cloth and fit over the hand. Or it may be a figure that has a number of strings or wires attached to a stick that a person moves to make the puppet look like it is alive. Some people develop the ability to “throw their voice.” These ventriloquists have a dummy over one hand and make it seem like the dummy is talking to the ventriloquist and audience.

Puppetry communicates well because it is a live media type. Oral cultures are most used to getting information by live, three-dimensional means.

Puppets can be used to educate about subjects that would be too sensitive for human acting.

Puppets can be very inexpensive. They can be as simple as a sock over a hand with facial features painted on it. Or they can even be a person's hand with facial markings in the right place.

Considerations

• Define the objective(s) of the program and how you will meet them.
• Program material and puppets need to be appropriate for the intended audience.
• Consider the cultural factors, audience age group, etc. when planning the program. Consider having an indigenous person help you design a puppet.
• Puppets that require two hands to operate can also require agility and skill.
• Convey that the puppet has your voice or a pre-recorded voice.
• Explain there is no magic or inherent life in the puppet.
• Do any of the colors on the puppet have a meaning that would conflict with your message?
• If the puppet portrays a human, would the audience see the facial features and skin color as foreign?
• It is best to not allow a full-bodied puppet to be seen as lifeless because it could be misunderstood to have been a live animal or person that has died.
• Consider other equipment needs. Will you need screens, props, etc.? A (portable) public address system is helpful in puppet presentations.
• It is necessary to have some type of a screen (i.e., pulpit, umbrella, etc.) to prevent the audience from seeing you manipulate the half-bodied puppet. Simply sewing pants to the half-bodied puppet will allow you to use it as a full-bodied puppet.

Media Mix

Puppets can be used to complement, enhance, and reinforce the message of storybooks, Scripture readings, dramas, video programs, etc. Delivering the message using several different media is usually more effective than using only one.