If your ready to jump into the world of Black Light Theatre this is the place. Let's talk neon everything!
I'm Patti. I am crazy about Blacklight Theatre! I have been performing under the blacklights for 17 years. Everything from full stage productions to my one woman blacklight review. I also build blacklight puppets and props. If you have any questions regarding this unusual type theatre, please feel free to ask away.

We are just starting out with our church youth to do blacklight theatre.  Any suggestions or hints as where to start and what we would need?  We have some puppets and stage that were donated by a church member.  We have some music that we can use to begin with.  I'm not familiar with floursecent paint or invisible paint and need some pointers.
Thanks!

Hi,
Welcome to the world of Black light Theatre!
Well, first question. Are the puppets that were given to you actual blacklight puppets? And have you guys invested in some blacklight units yet? Lets start there. 

As to the puppets, I haven't received them yet.  I should be able to try them tonight.
Black light - only one 24" at this time.
I know nothing about blacklight, so I must just jump in.  We took the youth to a Christian Performing Arts Festival last week and they seem to be hooked.
I'm using the 24'" light to check materials and other supplies.
I have purchased some black cotton shirts, white cotton gloves so that the youth may have something to practice with.  After reading other posts as to practice times, vertigo, and smells, we will have trouble with our small practice room.

I would suggest, since you are just getting started, to buy a couple pieces of fluorescent pieces of poster board. Make some simple props. Take a piece of black posterboard and cut out letters, from the fluourescent, spelling out words, Like JESUS, and PRAISE,,,and things that will go with some of the songs you have there at church. Maybe some simple things of beauty like, fluorescent butterflies, flowers, maybe a cross symbol...
Play around with your colors. What works? What looks good together? It doesn't take much in the beginning to pull off a wonderful little blacklight performance for your church. Keep writing. I will help as I am able. 

The puppets that we received are not blacklight puppets, so we will just have to work with them as regular puppets (is there such a thing?).  The blacklight performances will have to be something else.

I have thought of using neon paint on top of regular pictures and making signs with the flourescent paints.  Using flourescent tape strips on a black suit for stickmen(people).  I have purchased some white nylon gloves and white cotton gloves for the youth to use in sign language for the songs.  Along with the sign language and flourescent signs, I don't know what to use at this time.  This is my starting point, now to get the lights right.

Can you tell me how to set up the lights and what type to use?  Is there a good reference book to start with?  I have seen a book "Let There Be Blacklight" at amason.com.  Do you know of a good starter book?

The book you mentioned at Amazon has been suggested by folks in the past.  Not sure how in depth it is but I believe that any book is worth having.   Light position has been discussed before but not sure at the moment where the thread is. Your ideas for options other then black light puppets are great!  It sounds like the kids would really enjoy them and you could start experimenting with very little upfront cost. I have seen white gloves used before and I think it can be very effective.
Link no longer available.

I have found that Createx sell a good flourescent paint. It's an airbrush paint but I use the with a brush too.

http://www.createxcolors.com/airbrush2.htm

Just a tip from a Gypsy.

Hi Maxine,
I would start with just the gloves, fluor. strips, I'm assuming you talking about suveyers tape? It is cheap and can be used for a few performances, then easily and inexpensively replaced. I would stay away from trying to paint things with neon paints. If you are referring to,,,like, poster paint from walmart or big tempra paints from the hobby store,,,it will take many coats to get a really good cover. I would still stick with using neon poster for stuff like that, or if you can find some neon fabric by chance. But again, I'm not sure what your needing for your performance.
There is really not a need to go out and buy expensive blacklights. You can get some nice lights at walmart, home depot, for around 10-20.00....Make a case for them out of cardboard, something to close them in,,,just to look neater. Crumple up some heavy duty foil and attach it to the entire INSIDE of your encasement,,, this will help creat a homemade reflector. GOOD thing to have with your blacklight. I will try to draw up what I'm talking about and figure out how to post a pic. Don't spend a lot of money until you know things are going to work. Blacklight sensative materials cost so much. This is a really expensive hobby.....Maybe I can take a pic of my light and show you the shape of the case and the reflector inside. I've helped some of my Blacklight Theatre classes build their own for their own use and they have worked really well.

I have found that Createx sell a good flourescent paint. It's an airbrush paint but I use the with a brush too.

http://www.createxcolors.com/airbrush2.htm

Just a tip from a Gypsy.

Those are some great colors...thanks for the link.....