Yuuji, This is right up my alley of creation. Maybe I can be of some help. Since the dragon is mostly going to be behind stage, I would stop thinking about controlling the head from inside like your drawing. Make a stick control come our from the back of the head and go behind the curtain. If you are mounting the body to a stand of some type, then you should be able to make the neck flimsy enough that when you move the stick for the head, the neck will move in, out, up, and down like you want. Put a controller on the control arm to open and close the mouth. If the the stick is black, it should be unnoticeable behind the dragon head. If this sounds interesting, let me know. I could draw up a rough plan of what I am talking about and see if you can use it.

Hi Archangel,

That actually sounds like a really good idea. I've been trying to research ways to make the mouth open and close if I've got a stick to move the neck, but so far I haven't been able to wrap my head around the idea.

If you could help me out, I'd really appreciate it!

Hi! These are terrific suggestions! -

     My two cents, one of my favorite materials that has integrity and flexibility, and yet is light weight enough to not hinder manipulating larger projects like this, is what are called (around here) "Pool Noodles" (4 or 5 feet long, 4 or 5 inches in diameter). You're probably familiar, they're floatation toys for swimming pools, stiff-ish cylindrical polystyrene, yet very durable and very flexible. They often have a hollow core, that a pvc pipe or dowel can be moved up and down in, and stiff guage wire can be woven in them for more rigidity.
     AND, segmenting the Noodle with twine or string makes them work much like a joint or spine!

Here's a ruff sketch based on your illustration of how I might make the skeleton using "Pool Noodles" (those are the orange bits) and thick guage wire to beef it up where needed (I bought a spool of electric fence wire many years ago that is still seeing me thru many projects!):

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/treadtrick/dragon_frame_idea_001.jpg

Also nice, pool toys are reduced in price drastically during off-season.

Using a lightweight frame like this, I would agree that giving it a strong base backstage would be very useful, with a tripod-like "swivel-and-aim" type of joint at the top. For the skull, I would carve styro and coat it with cheese cloth and diluted white glue... lightweight and darn-near bulletproof! Then a mandible and articulating mechanism can easily be improvised. Finally skin it as usual with fabric and or paint, etc.

What do you think? (I'm using this approach for some ghost characters that interact with human actors in an upcoming production of A Christmas Carol).

Best of luck to you, and can't wait to see pics!

Yuuji, Have you ever heard or seen a hand extender? http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Robot-Claw-Power-Hand/dp/B000M7MY28
You could possibly find one that will work and just buy it. The other option is to use the same idea and make a modified one of your own. I posted a very quick drawing idea. If you want more details I can. I just wanted to respond quickly so you know I am excited to help in any way. Here is the pic

Yuuji, if you need local help, try Spare Parts Puppet Theatre in Fremantle; also, I believe one of the universities does a bit of puppetry, although I forget which one. I'm sure Spare Parts could point you towards someone if they can't help themselves.

In the meantime, it looks like everyone else here has got you covered for suggestions; so welcome! If I can add something to the discussion I will but others here have more experience making similar things.

(Incidentally, I was going to suggest contacting Swinburne Uni, since they have a puppetry component in their theatre course and also happen to work closely with the fashion students that study at the same campus. But that's more useful to you if you're in the same city, since the course coordinators are often very busy and a face-to-face discussion is more likely to get you assistance)

If you go to facebook and friend Dave Privette, an awesome puppet builder and performer, you can see photos of his dragon that is basically what you are talking about. The link to the photos is below.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001477159507&sk=photos

Jomama
Wow!! and Wow AGAIN! That is someone who knows how to make a dragon. If you look at all the pics he has, you might get a really good look at how he did it. Makes my idea seem archaic. If you have the budget, I would shoot for this. Good find Jomama.

True, that dragon is awesome!