Different Types of Puppets

A puppet is an object resembling a human, animal or mythological figure that is animated by a person called a puppeteer. The puppeteer uses movements of their arms, hands or control devices such as strings or rods to move the head, limbs, body and in some cases the eyes and mouth of the puppet. The puppeteer talks in the voice of the character of the puppet and then synchronize the movements of the puppet's mouth with this spoken part. The gestures, actions and spoken parts acted out by the puppeteer with puppet are used in storytelling. There are many different types of puppets and they are made from a wide range of materials, depending on their type and intended use.

Click on below Video: Various Types of Puppetry

6 Different Types of Puppets

1. Glove Puppets

The glove puppet also referred to as hand puppets is a little figure having arms and head with a long skirt as part of its costume. The thumb and the middle finger fit into the two hollow hands of the puppet. At a time one puppeteer manipulate two puppets.

2. Rod Puppets

Rod puppets need one of the puppeteer’s hands inside the glove puppet holding a rod which controls the head and the puppet’s body then hangs it up over or all of the forearm of the puppeteer and maybe extends further.

3. Shadow Puppets

Shadow puppetry is a popular types of puppets for entertainment in countries all over the world. Shadow puppets are figures that are placed between a screen and a light. Moving it creates the illusion of movement in moving images on the screen. An experienced puppeteer can make figures appear to talk, fight, walk and dance.

Click on below Video: How to Make Shadow Puppets with your Hand

4. Marionette

A marionette is a puppet controlled from above side using strings or wires depending on regional variations. This types of puppeteer are called a marionettist.

5. Black Light Puppet

In Black light puppet where the puppets are performed on stage lit with ultraviolet light which helps to hides the puppeteer and accents the colors of the puppets which are created using colors that respond to UV light by glowing brightly. The Puppeteer costume made of black velvet. The puppeteers manipulate the puppets under the light when they are positioning themselves invisibly into the unlit black background.

Click on below Video: Puppets 101: Hubie tubie

6. Sock Puppet

Sock puppets get popular in many puppet performances, as they are easy to make and easy to use. A sock puppet is a puppet formed and performed by inserting a hand inside a sock. The hand is opened and closed to simulate the action of the puppet's "mouth" and give the impression of talking. Sometimes eyes and other facial features are added to the sock to make it more realistic. It is commonly used in satirical or children's works.