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Toy Theater

Toy Theater History

Toy theater dates back to the early 1800s in Europe, and had a surge of popularity during the late 1800s to early 1900s. Toy theaters were often mass produced and sold as kits at the concession stand of an opera house, play house or vaudeville theater. Toy theaters were assembled at home and used in performances for family members and guests.

Toy Theater Process

Together with a Puppetry in Practice artist, students will work in groups to create Toy Theater productions using recycled materials on a cardboard box stage. Scenery, backdrops and props involve a variety of pop-up mechanisms and collage techniques and students can incorporate shadow screens and colored lights as well as music in their productions. Students will gain knowledge about ways to express cultures through a theater performance. Students will use the production chart and create puppets, sets and props. They identify ways to use combinations of narration, live actors and puppets to tell the story.

Teachers and students sequence the story, act out important parts of the story sequence and number the scenes. Students share their reflections on Toy Theater creation after the lessons and interact with each other in groups to stage a Toy Theater performance. They learn the history of Toy Theater and develop vocabulary related to the stage. They develop an understanding of theater traditions. Students understand the process of moving from the design to the creation of a performance.