Describes techniques for animating hand puppets and staging an amateur puppet show.

Unlike other performing arts, puppetry is perhaps the only art form in which directing, acting, writing, designing, sculpture, and choreography are combined. In effect, the performer is creating an artistic entertainment that will appeal to audiences of all ages — in homes, in theaters, and in classrooms. This lucid, easy-to-follow book was specifically conceived to teach beginners how to bring a hand puppet to life and how, with practice, to develop the skills needed to mount an amateur puppet show — complete with staging, costumes, and special effects. Award-winning puppeteers Larry Engler and Carol Fijan provide ingenious finger, wrist, and arm exercises that are crucial for creating a full working range of puppet motions and emotions. They also cover the elements of good puppet theatrical technique: speech, voice use, and synchronization; stage deportment and interactions; improvisation, dramatic conflict, role characterization, and more. Every detail is clearly explained and beautifully illustrated with photographs, specific chapters being devoted to the use of props, puppet voices and movements, the construction of simple stages and lighting effects, and much more. A splendid addition to the literature on this subject, Making Puppets Come Alive is "the best book on hand puppetry we've seen." — The Whole Kids Catalog.

Directions and diagrams for making various types of puppets, dressing and handling them, setting up a stage, and writing and producing one's own show. Includes three puppet plays.

In Puppetry in Education and Therapy: Unlocking Doors to the Mind and Heart, one finds enormous variety, ingenuity, and creativity in the types of puppets, and the ways they are used in education and in therapy. Puppeteers, therapists, and educators, articulate what is meant by “puppetry in education” and “puppet therapy” and how it is the same or different from “puppet theatre”. They describe the unique characteristics and theory of puppetry in education and therapy, the skills it takes to be successful in these areas, the skills that are passed on to people who use puppets for personal expression, and how to assess the impact of puppets on learning or behavior change. Twenty-six authors discuss topics such as puppetry and the multiple intelligences; the process versus the product; using puppetry in schools to promote literacy, preserve cultural heritage, and teach music; how puppetry contributes to Core Curriculum Standards, the theoretical underpinnings of therapeutic puppetry, and a range of ways of facilitating growth and development. If you’re already using puppets, this book will inspire you to understand your work differently and to explore new possibilities. If you’re a teacher or a therapist and you’ve never used puppets before, it will open a whole world of possibilities. This book illustrates that puppetry arts can affect learning and behavior and that puppets indeed have the power to unlock doors to the mind and heart.

Puppetry is an exciting, flexible, malleable art form that can engage the creative forces of children or adults. Puppets can not only tell a story, they can be used to enhance the curriculum, present an idea or a concept in a compelling way, or teach any number of necessary skills. Children and adults presenting a puppet play are given a sense of their own inventive power. This reference work offers an A to Z view of working with puppets. It covers everything from the basic strategies of advertising and marketing puppet productions, to assembling the puppets out of household materials such as paper bags, cereal boxes, or gloves, to the more elaborate sculpting of armatures. Stages, curtains and props are also discussed along with the history of puppetry. Numerous illustrations give a visual of many of the finished products. This work concludes with an annotated bibliography and index.

Puppetry Originated In India And Travelled Across The Seven Seas To The Eastern And Western World As Vouched By Many Scholars. Puppets Dated Back To A Period Well Before Bharata S Natya Shastra And Have Continued Unabated Throughout The Centuries In Almost All Indian States. Puppetry Is One Enduring Form, Which Has Entertained Masses And Educated People. The Famous Puppeteers Of Rajasthan Are Really Acrobats, Who Only Put On Puppet Shows When They Move Out Of Villages. These And A Thousand Other Scintillating Facts Come Out Of This Exciting Book For The Reader S Entertainment And Elucidation. Puppets Are By No Means For Only Children, -- As The Puppeteers Of Orissa Sing And Dance About The Romantic Love Of Radha And Krishna, And Keralan Puppets Narrate Kathakali Stories In The Same Make-Up And Costumes.The Book Aims At Giving A Connected Account Of The Indian Puppets: Their Variety, Their Multiple Functions, Their Craft, Their Animation And Their Connections With Other Related Arts In Five Separate Parts. The Book Also Contains For The First Time In Any Book On Puppetry -- Four Important Appendices: Museums In India Containing Puppets, Directory Of Indian Puppeteers, Global Bibliography On Puppets And A Relevant Glossary. The World Of Indian Puppets Is Seen In Vivid Colours With Scores Of Coloured Photographs And Many Line-Drawings And Half-Tone Pictures --- In Their Many-Sided Splendour: Variety Of The Glove, Rod, String, Shadow, And Human Puppets And A Myriad Background Stories Of The Puppet-Masters And Their Imaginative Landscape Of Free Creativity.

If you're passionate about ventriloquism and ready to take your skills to the next level, then HowExpert Guide to Ventriloquism is the perfect resource to guide you! Whether you're a beginner eager to explore the art or an experienced performer looking to refine your craft, this guide offers a comprehensive, step-by-step journey from foundational skills to advanced techniques. Chapter 1: Introduction to Ventriloquism – Explore the history of ventriloquism, the art of voice throwing, and the essential skills every ventriloquist needs. Chapter 2: Understanding the Basics – Learn the fundamentals of speaking without moving your lips, voice modulation, and creating distinct voices for your characters. Chapter 3: Puppet Basics – Discover how to choose the perfect puppet, understand different puppet types, and take care of your puppet to keep it in top shape. Chapter 4: Mastering Character Voices – Craft unique personalities for your puppets, create realistic dialogues, and switch between voices seamlessly during performances. Chapter 5: Lip Control Techniques – Practice key exercises for controlling lip movements, avoiding common mistakes, and perfecting natural-sounding conversations. Chapter 6: Puppet Manipulation and Movement – Learn the techniques for manipulating your puppet's body and face to make it appear lifelike, synchronized with your voice. Chapter 7: Developing a Comedy Routine – Write jokes, time your punchlines, and infuse humor into your act to keep your audience engaged and entertained. Chapter 8: Performing on Stage – Overcome stage fright, engage with your audience, and handle unexpected situations while performing live. Chapter 9: Building Your Act – Structure your performance, rehearse effectively, and add variety to your routine to ensure your act stays fresh and exciting. Chapter 10: Expanding Your Skills – Explore improvisation techniques, incorporate multiple characters into your performance, and use props to enhance your act. Chapter 11: Advanced Ventriloquism Techniques – Master complex dialogues with multiple puppets, tackle challenging sounds, and create immersive thematic shows. Chapter 12: Marketing and Promoting Yourself – Build your personal brand, grow an online presence, and network with other performers to land paid gigs. Chapter 13: The Business of Ventriloquism – Learn the business side of ventriloquism, including managing finances, booking gigs, and working with agents and venues. Chapter 14: Continuing to Grow as a Ventriloquist – Connect with ventriloquism communities, attend conventions, and keep up with industry trends to enhance your skills. Chapter 15: Ventriloquism in the Digital Age – Learn how to leverage platforms like YouTube and TikTok to build a fanbase and monetize your performances online. Chapter 16: Lessons from Iconic Ventriloquists (Based on Public Sources) – Discover insights and key takeaways from famous ventriloquists based on publicly available information. Chapter 17: The Future of Ventriloquism – Explore the role of AI, virtual puppetry, and other technological advancements in shaping the future of ventriloquism. Chapter 18: Conclusion – Final tips for success as you continue your ventriloquism journey, embracing creativity and passion for the craft. Appendices – Access downloadable resources, scripts, tools, and additional materials to support your ventriloquism practice and performances. With its blend of traditional techniques and modern strategies—including digital tools, online performance tips, and future-facing AI integration—HowExpert Guide to Ventriloquism will not only teach you the art of ventriloquism but also prepare you for the evolving landscape of the craft. Whether performing live or online, you'll be fully equipped to take the stage with confidence, captivate audiences, and bring your puppets to life! HowExpert publishes how to guides on all topics from A to Z.