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Search "mouthplates" here at the forum and you will find many, many, many, many discussions on the topic. You'll also find that there are many, many, many, many materials that are suitable! The more detailed the description of the puppet you're intending to build, the narrower the field of...

The material you're looking for is most commonly known as "rip-stop nylon", and indeed its edges must be finished with a heat process. Allow yourself plenty of time and material to experiment, as it is a very different process. In industrial settings they usually use sonic welding to seam the...

It's just important to note that a real whale's tail goes up and down, not side to side.

An articulated mouth oughtn't be too difficult to make. And swallowing Jonah may be a simple matter of staging. If Jonah's in the "water" the whale might raise above him and simply "land" on him (mouth first, of course) shoving him below the playboard. When he resurfaces he can be "chewing" as...

Boy it really could be done in so many ways! I guess the first question I would ask before trying to design a structure would be, "what species of whale?" The shape would steer my decision as to what to use for the underlying structure. Years ago I saw Bruce Chesse do a show with a whale...

The problem with making equipment recommendations is that there are so many elements to a PA system, and so many venues in which one might be used that it is impossible to make blanket recommendations. I used to own three separate PAs for different types of venues. The only reason that I use a...

As Buck mentions, Shure microphones are excellent. When I have to be miced for live puppet performance I use my Sennheiser wireless. I put the capsule on my forehead pointed straight down and run the wire over the top of my head and down my back to the transmitter. I hold the mic in place with...

Generally it is not too difficult to find if you don't need a specific color. Start by looking in the upholstery section of your local fabric store. As Buck mentions there are many variations available; different weights, surface finishes, etc. Some do stretch, others do not. Some are laminated...

Vocal health is the most important thing. If the performer's voice is healthy, and the character voices are produced in a healthy manner, then maintenance is more a matter of practice than anything else. Hydration is the first (of many) aspects to be aware of in vocal health. And not just when...

If you really want to get deep into this type of discussion check out this forum! DV info is where to go for video advice. I send them here for puppetry advice!

Just a thought that jumps into my head. Perhaps a vaguely cigar-shaped piece of polyfoam, then create the rows and columns of individual kernels by wrapping thread or fishing line around it. Again, just an untried notion that leapt into my noggin!

It does make me want to explore stop-motion as a medium again. A million years ago in high school I animated a sequence for our epic film Attack of the Snow Shark. It was a rubber shark "swimming" through the snow immediately before an attack. It took forever, and I got frost-bitten fingers, but...

That was extraordinary! Great concept, and amazingly done in 24 hours! I would never attempt stop motion for a 24 hour film! I love the "found objects" style. One of my current favorite examples is the current campaign that Swiffer is doing the the "Baby Come Back" theme and the mops & dusters...

Davina- Remember that the primary function of these puppets is as toys for children. That they are quite nice puppets and are worthy of use for performers is a bonus. With that in mind, I would say that is is in no way a shame that the mouth "just opens and closes." The mouthplate is thin...

Gee, this being a PUPPETRY forum, do you think you might consider limiting your ebay junk to puppet-related items?

This is not at all an unusual thing. Very often a critically acclaimed show will fail to get a good footing to run. A number of the shows this season that are closing were only limited runs to begin with. In the case of Boeing, Boeing the producers made their money back (which is always good...

HELLO? Is anyone doing ANY kind of research on this unfounded RUMOR? Come on, let's stop crying about something that has not even been announced! And does appear likely to do so any time soon. Their lyric contest is coming to a head very soon, which would indicate that they plan on running for...

Ummm, what sucks? That your read and believe the rumor, or that there are several posts here indicating that the show is NOT closing? Posts siting the producers, stage managers, and even the creator of the Avenue Q puppets, who would actually know if the show was closing. This is a good...

All I can say is... get used to it! There's so much truth to the adage, "it's not what you know, it's who you know". Talent is rarely the number one criterion! A few years ago I auditioned for a production of Jekyll & Hyde. Truly, it was the best audition I'd ever given in decades of...

I’m curious to know what you base this statement on. It is not terribly uncommon for a show to post a "surprise" closing notice if it is very new, particularly if it has not received positive reviews. (For instance, Glory Days which closed after opening night.). Thanks, Rick, for chiming in...