How to make a Marionette!

1.) Start with a beautiful piece of pine & for the legs you will want a piece that is 2 1/4 inches square, 12 inches long, with strait grain, freshly faced.

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Choose your wood carefully. Check for knots and even grain.

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2.) Make your pattern. Draw or sketch the idea in its true si
ze on a large piece of card stock or heavy paper

 

3.) Cut out your patterns to match the shape of your drawing and desired puppet piece.. 

 

4.) Trace the leg patters on two sides of the pine block. To make the left leg, flip one of the patters.

 

Make sure there is a small bit of wood showing outside the pattern. This will make the cutting more accurate.

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Butterworth Puppet Making Class

2011 West Kingstown Center for the Arts puppet class. Dan Butterworth conducts quick  puppet class with children and adults from Rhode Island and beyond. Class shows how to quickly assemble sophisticated Hand Rod puppets and decorate with hair, clothing, different facial expressions, and 'specialty add-ons'. Items can also be constructed to put in puppet hands. After puppets are made methods for  manipulation and making characters appear without puppeteer being seen are shown.

 

Beginner Classes
Beginner Classes & School Residencies: Dan Butterworth & Butterworth Productions has performed and conducted residencies from China to Europe, from the Arctic North to Mexico. The award winning events are geared to each audience, each particular celebration. Working closely with teachers ahead of the date, workshops can be used to...

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Master Classes
Butterworth travels to center locations to conduct these wooden marionette classes. All that’s needed is a medium sized space, a few simple tools, and five or more students. Each participant learns the following: 1.) How to lay out patterns on selected wood pieces. 2.) Methods for cutting to the piece...

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PERMANENT EXHIBIT.

Butterworth performances & installations can be tailored to any specific location or celebration.

Large scale Town-Wide events includes award winning residencies with puppets geared to each age group.

Parades with flying puppets, hand and rod puppets, and now Wheelchair Puppetry can be formed around thematic subjects dear to any community as well.

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Some of Dans works can be seen and interacted with at The Providence Children's Museum.

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Contact Butterworth Productions to find a performance or event coming close to your area.

Or create your own event in an open field, school, theater or  festival location! We can turn your space into a work of art!