Puppetry Theater History

Puppetry has developed alongside live human performances for entertainment, religious education and ceremony, and public comment. Ritual dolls used in Egypt 4000 years ago, Greek classical theater, Asian and Middle East mythology marathons.

Some forms of puppetry:

  • Marionettes: String-operated puppets
  • Rod Puppets: Controlled by rods or sticks inside or outside
  • Shadow Puppets: Silhouettes projected onto a screen
  • Hand/Glove Puppets: Operated directly by the puppeteer’s hand inside
  • Bunraku: Traditional Japanese form, direct manipulation by multiple puppeteers
  • Stop-Motion Animation: Puppets moved incrementally by animators
  • Motion Capture CGI: Actor/Puppeteer movements translated into graphics
  • Object Puppets: Everyday objects transformed into characters.

General Puppetry Links

Modern Shadow Puppetry Links