How to Construct a Puppet Stage
Put away those video games and crank up your imagination. Get started on a project that can involve the whole family and provide hours of entertainment when complete. Constructing a puppet stage can be as simple as painting and decorating an old cardboard box, or it can be as elaborate as a wooden theater stage. While making a wooden puppet stage may involve a few additional steps, it can take a great deal more wear and tear and will stand the test of time.
Things You'll Need
- One sheet plywood, 1/2 inch
- One sheet pine board, 3/8 inch
- Cardboard
- Four hinges, 1 inch
- Four hinges, 2 inch
- Four pull knobs
- Two pieces light-gauge chain, 1-foot lengths
- Four screw eyes (medium)
- Nails
- Finish nails
- Wood glue
- Sandpaper
- Paint
- Paintbrushes
- Old curtain
- Curtain rod
- Thumbtacks
- Straightedge level
- Circular saw (optional)
- Jigsaw (optional)
- Drill
- Wood Shaver (optional)
- Eye protection
Instructions
-
Cut Wood
-
1
Use a circular saw to cut wood to size. Identify each piece as you cut ,so you do not become confused later. For example, mark the "B" pieces as B-1 and B-2.
Mark the plywood for the stage front and sides as follows:
A: Four-foot by four-foot, 1 piece
B1 and B2: Four-foot by two-foot, 2 piecesPine for stage and window shelf:
C. Four-foot by six-inches, 1 piece
D. Three-feet by two-inches, 1 piece
E. Twelve-inches by 3/8-inches, 2 pieces -
2
Cut out stage windows using a jigsaw. Sand all edges when complete. For the main theater stage window, mark and drill a pilot hole and then cut a rectangular opening approximately 14-inches by 36-inches.
For the side windows make a cardboard template for a 12-inch wide cathedral-shape window and trace the pattern onto pieces B-1 and B-2. To cut out, drill a small hole just inside the pattern line (this will be where you install window pull knobs) and cut. Save the cutouts, as you will be using them for window shutters.
-
-
3
Paint the stage sides and front. Use your imagination and wild paint to make your puppet stage unique.
-
4
Create and attach the stage and window shelves. Use wood glue to attach piece D (the shelf brace) to the underside of piece C (the stage shelf). Let the wood glue dry and reinforce seams with finishing nails. Set in place so the shelf brace is against the inside of the window opening and shelf extends outward. Nail into place.
Use wood glue to attach the piece E (window shelf) to each side window. Set the shelf in place extending one-inch beyond the window opening. Allow the glue to dry and reinforce seams with finishing nails.
-
5
Assemble puppet stage. Attach the sides and front of the stage by screwing the hinge plates of the 2-inch hinges approximately 3-inches from the top and bottom of the inside walls. Prevent the stage from opening too wide by attaching the screw eyes at the very bottom of the stage and hooking chain lengths between them.
Trim approximately 1/4-inch from the bottom of the window shutter and set in place to check the fit. A correct fit will ensure easy opening and closing of the shutter. Adjust fit with additional trimming if necessary. Attach window shutters using the 1-inch hinges. Attach the window hinges on the outside of the puppet stage approximately 2-inches from the top and bottom of the window. On the inside of the shutter, attach the pull knobs to enable opening and closing of the window shutter from inside the stage.
-
6
Install two-piece curtain. Cut an old curtain to fit the main stage window opening and slip onto the curtain rod. Use fabric scraps to make a few cloth loops to hang the rod. Attach the rod to the stage with thumbtacks.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Make this project less complicated by having the wood cut when you purchase it. Most home improvement stores offer this as a free service for their customers.
If you do cut the wood at home, wear eye protection and keep children and pets away from the cutting area.
You may need to shave a small amount from the sides of the stage and window shelves to ensure they fit correctly within the window opening.
