Scripts
After acquiring some puppets, you will have to have some type of script to work from. There are many great puppet script resources out there and are listed on another part of this site. However, don't be limited by what others do. You can effectively write your own puppet scripts that address the lessons or special events you are having and will also be customized to your puppeteers and puppets. This section will provide helps in this area.
Writing Your Own Scripts
COMING SOON.....Promise.
Pre Recording Puppet Skits
I have started recording our puppet skits on my computer and then burning
them to CDR's for performances. I am using the program Multisequence (check out
the software section for links). I purchased an inexpensive recording microphone
(about $60.00) that works extremely well. I have the puppeteers come in and read
their scripts together. The microphone is plugged into my audio mixer which
feeds into my computer for digital recording. I then can edit the audio, add
pauses for puppet action, and add sound effects and background music. I then
burn the items to a CDR, drop on a label and now we have a practice CD. For
performances we can use the MP3's on a computer or CDR's in a CD player. It has
worked well.
We have done mostly live-voice skits where puppeteers read their lines while performing. We are just now beginning to use more pre-recorded songs and puppet skits. I have found that it's often much easier to write my own skit to fit a specific theme or lesson than trying to find skits that will hit my target audience and also effectively communicate the intended subject. Pre-recorded scripts do require more practice to get the timing down, matching the puppet's mouth to the voices on the CD.