Hello everyone! I am new to the puppet world. I have plunged into it being a new assistant musical director. Last season, I dipped my toe in this world with Spongebob the Musical. In charge of Squidward's legs. Attaching them to the actor with being functional and able to tap dance in them.... yes..... tap dance, lol. I also took the top of a skeleton Halloween prop and turned it into a moving puppet to sing and preform in the song Poor Pirates. It was a huge hit. This season we are doing the newest rendition of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the musical. The Oompa Loompas in this version are humanette and in my opinion the comic stars of the musical. Any advice where to start, materials, cost is a huge factor and my concern. I welcome any help or advice. Thanks so much!
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Welcome to Puppets and Stuff!
A humanette puppet is really just an actor in a very small costume.
They can be played on a table top against a black background the puppeteer is dressed in black except for their head and hands. The costume kind of hangs from their neck and then they insert their hands into the elbow of the costume and out through the sleeve. A second puppet all in black including their head then operates the feet. That can be as simple as them holding on to the heel of the shoe or you could extend a rod out the back of the shoe for them to grab hold off. Even seen where the puppeteer inserts there hand into the full shoe.
In your case it may be that you need them to move around the stage. This is normally performed by one puppeteer that is on their knees.
Since it sounds like you are on a budget I would start looking for children's cloths at the second hand store.
The body (stuffing) of your puppet can be a pillow. The legs and arms can be sewn tubs with polly fill in them.... just put to stitch lines where the elbow or knee would be to create a "hinge.". You can also use pool noodles as legs or arms. String two pieces together to form upper and lower parts of the arm or body. Put knots in your string to create the "hinge".
These are all simple ideas to help get your creative juices flowing. If you are on facebook check out "Humanette Puppetry " group. There you'll find a variety of ideas.
A humanette puppet is really just an actor in a very small costume.
They can be played on a table top against a black background the puppeteer is dressed in black except for their head and hands. The costume kind of hangs from their neck and then they insert their hands into the elbow of the costume and out through the sleeve. A second puppet all in black including their head then operates the feet. That can be as simple as them holding on to the heel of the shoe or you could extend a rod out the back of the shoe for them to grab hold off. Even seen where the puppeteer inserts there hand into the full shoe. In your case it may be that you need them to move around the stage. This is normally performed by one puppeteer that is on their knees.
Since it sounds like you are on a budget I would start looking for children's cloths at the second hand store.
The body (stuffing) of your puppet can be a pillow. The legs and arms can be sewn tubs with polly fill in them.... just put to stitch lines where the elbow or knee would be to create a "hinge.". You can also use pool noodles as legs or arms. String two pieces together to form upper and lower parts of the arm or body. Put knots in your string to create the "hinge".
These are all simple ideas to help get your creative juices flowing. If you are on facebook check out "Humanette Puppetry " group. There you'll find a variety of ideas.
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Discussion Started Jan 14, 2025 By
nemerri
Member Since: 1/14/25
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