Steve, (Gibson’s dad, EW) noticed the puppets the children have been using in the East Wing with the screen and light projector.
A little history:
Wayang Kulit is a unique form of theatre employing light and shadow. The puppets are crafted from buffalo hide and mounted on bamboo sticks. When held up behind a piece of white cloth, with an electric bulb or an oil lamp as the light source, shadows are cast on the screen.
Wayang Kulit plays are invariably based on romantic tales, especially adaptations of the classic Indian epics, "The Mahabarata" and "The Ramayana". Some of the plays are also based on local happenings (current issues) or other local secular stories. It is up to the conductor or "Tok Dalang" to decide his direction
Steve expressed an interest in puppets and puppet making. There was a demand for more puppets from the children, so we embraced this opportunity and invited Steve to come make some with the children. He brought in a few examples made out of cardboard and brads. After exploring them, the children drew designs for their own puppets.
Marcello: I want to have a snake. I think it should have a
head, body and tail. Three parts that move.
Violet: I want to make a tiger. But I don't think I know how
to make a tiger. I need to see a picture of a tiger so
I know what it looks like.
Marzhan: I’m making a dragon, like Steve's. It needs to have
big teeth
Gibson: I’m gonna make a mummy.
The children used the technique that Steve showed them. They cut out all the separate pieces, then used the brads to make the parts movable, like the puppet they had been using for the light projector. The teachers plan on using this technique to make more puppets to further the children's story telling at the light projector. Thanks Steve!