top of page

Get Crafty with Shadow Puppets: An Inside Look at Maisie O'Brien's Workshop with GPAPG.

Updated: Jan 21

On January 12, 2025, the Greater Philadelphia Area Puppetry Guild (GPAPG) hosted a

lively workshop led by Maisie O’Brien at the Montgomery County Recreation Center in

Montgomeryville, PA. Our event attracted a full room of new and returning guild

members eager to explore the captivating world of shadow puppetry, an artform that we

actively learned thrives with intricate simplicity.


Eye-level view of a table covered with various shadow puppet materials
Maisie O'Brien demonstrates the technique of manipulating a heron puppet on a light board..

The Magic of Shadow Puppetry

Shadow theater is a unique medium with a rich history, reaching as far back as 2,000

years, developing simultaneously yet distinctly in various Asian regions before catching

popularity in Europe via Italian and French theater. Shadow theater was always

acknowledged as a powerful tool inherently tied to supernatural and even taboo forces

such as death and deities. It even has a history of being banned or preserved in some

countries due to its roots in religion and satire. The survival of highly iconic, traditional

shadow theater in South East Asia like Indonesian Wayang Kulit is largely thanks to its

compatibility with the teachings of Islam, whereas Chinese shadow figures as a folk art

were banned in China during the Cultural Revolution. Like other forms of Puppetry,

Shadow theater was predominantly a tool used by the masses for the masses to unite

each other in their common belief systems, political satire, secular love and adventure

stories, all mixed in with lots of local gossip. Puppets were often crafted by

working-class tradespeople using the natural materials in their area (punch-cut leather,

horn, wood, gut string, and natural pigment). While shadow theater, like any intangible

folk art passed down through the millenia, has come to look many different ways with

the waves of new technology at our fingertips, all shadow puppetry requires four simple

elements to get started: a light source, a projection surface, a puppet, and its shadow.

Our workshop at GPAPG was more than just a lesson in shadow puppets; it was a

celebration of creativity and inspiration. Our guest teacher Maisie O’Brien is an

experienced puppeteer crankie artist, educator, printmaker and musician, as well as

GPAPG board member. During our workshop Maisie shared their own insights into

making shadow puppets, after speaking to the significance of using shadows in theirwork. They illustrated how a few basic materials, such as cardstock, scissors, and

various light sources like flashlights or clamp lamps, could open up a universe of

storytelling. Participants dove into hands-on crafting while connecting with fellow

puppetry enthusiasts.


Close-up view of shadow puppets projected onto a white screen
Many types of shadow puppets were on available to examine. Materials & techniques of creating puppets, designing their moveable joints, how to select and attach rods were all part of the discussion.

Crafting Puppets: Step-by-Step

Participants learned about the various mechanisms available when designing and

troubleshooting their shadow puppets, such as rods, tabs, levers, coil joints, and string

pulls, to control and articulate their puppets—not to mention that constant companion:

Gravity! These tools allowed them to create engaging movements that would captivate

any audience. By the end of this hands-on session, each participant had crafted a

unique puppet, ready to perform. Laughter and creativity filled the room as attendees

shared ideas and overcame challenges together. One participant commented, “how

complex a shadow puppet is and how it challenges you to think in a completely new

way".



Sharing and Performing

The workshop spotlighted a sharing segment where participants showcased their puppet creations. Watching each puppet come to life was a highlight of the day. Attendees presented their puppets and told imaginative stories or skits that animated their characters.


This interactive aspect not only sharpened everyone’s performance skills but also deepened connections within the group. As laughter echoed around the room, it was clear that these shared moments fostered new friendships and reignited a passion for shadow puppetry.


Community and Connection

We are excited to see these workshops foster new friendships and reignite a passion for

shadow puppetry, no matter how long people have been practicing (or just dabbling) in

puppetry. Workshops like this cultivate a strong sense of community and provide a

supportive environment where collaboration is encouraged.

We love that GPAPG is becoming a hub for puppetry enthusiasts in the Greater

Philadelphia area. It enables members to grow their skills, exchange stories, and build a

nurturing, local network of fellow makers and do-ers at their own pace either online or

in-person. We look forward to seeing you at the next GPAPG event, and stay tuned for

announcements on upcoming workshops and get-togethers. The world of puppetry is

full of wonder, and there is always space for new creators on this journey!


Written by Sally J. Moore, Maisie O’Brien, assisted by A.I.


High angle view of group members working on shadow puppetry projects
New member, Claire Bronchick, created a petite bunny that had hinged legs and could hop across the light box. The effect was quite realistic and impressive! A brief video can be found below.


New member, Claire Bronchick, created a petite bunny that had hinged legs and could hop across the light box "stage". The effect was quite realistic and impressive!


53 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page