It would be nice if we had a topic on what goes on behind the stage.  This would give other puppeteers ideas to help with props and best ways for "that man behind the curtain" to perform with tricks and hints.  It would also be nice to have illustrations on this matter.

Good idea -

The first and only thing that comes to mind is that if you're using glove puppets to have a few hooks attached to your set/booth. This allows you to hang your glove puppets up between scenes and have easier access when trying to inseret your hand into them (especially good for solo performers). A little loop of rope or something on the end of the glove puppet's body will also aid in hanging them up.

Ask and you shall receive! Ok maybe not everything thing you might ask for but I thought this was a good idea and not sure why we have never done this before. I guess we focus so much on building here that I we forget about the performance side.

I moved the Scripts and the Stages, Lighting & Sound forums under this main section also.

Thanks for the suggestion!

If you have a felt curtain, they are the most delicate, so it needs to be treated with care if you want it to last a few years.  Felt is about the cheapest material you can find, and is good if you are on a tight budget.  If you double it over, virtually no light will pass through it, so no one can see the puppeteer.  If you put any tape on it, some of the felt will come off when you remove the tape and duct tape or gorilla tape is the worst thing you can put on it.  I just use stick pins to attach the scripts to it.  The material is so fibrous, stick pins will not hurt the material at all.  I have sewn curtain hooks on before, but it becomes a problem when you have to fold the curtain, when you put it away.  I think that my next stage will be made of wood with wood veneer for the front and peg board for the back. You can do a lot of things with peg board, from holding up scripts to holding up props.  The only downfall with this is it's not as mobile, especially if you're traveling.

I have a friend who made his stage using a 4ft by 8ft foam board.  It is propped up by two microphone stands.  He also uses a PVC pipe that is duct taped to the two stands for elbow support.  He didn't have to buy any of these materials!