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.

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.

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.

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