I am doing a puppet show in July that uses live actors in it. At some points in the show, the puppet needs to close his eyes and show some emotion with them. I need to find a working method for the puppet I am making. I am using the Borsa design from Project Puppet. It will be a monster style with simi long pile on the fur. Best example of what I need would be Oscar the grouch. Please help. I have seen many examples online, but they just don't seem to be the right trick.

What emotion do you need to show?  Normally emotion can be portrayed more by eyebrows and body language instead of simply the closing of the eyes. I know there are a few past threads on moving eyebrows around here somewhere. Now where did they go.

Hmmm. Eyebrows my be a very good idea. Didn't think of that. There was a part where the puppet needs to go to sleep, but I could just cover his head with a blanket.

If you put the puppet arm up and turn the head so the back of the head is to audience on bent arm they can't see the eyes are not shut. Making sleeping noises and deep breathing motions with the body will complete the illusion.

Thanks Snail, I did after talking with a Dr Puppet, I have decided to pass on doing blinking eyes and go the rout you just mentioned.

If the script allows it, a yawn or two (the first discrete (say 10-20 beats) before the second which is more exaggerated) prior to the character finally bedding down will help establish believability.

As I said, if the script (and director) allows.