General Instructions
for
Characters & Props
In original toy theaters, there were no props. Characters were either attached to long guiding wires or had little triangles glued to their backs. Those on wires toppled over the minute they were let go. Characters with rear triangles fell over with the slightest touch or breeze, much too dainty for our air-conditioned/electric fan modern lives. Since most of us will be either directing plays for our own amusement or creating long-term displays, a more solid Character/Prop base is required.
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Bases are a simple one-piece units. Those specifically made for a particular Character or Prop have text printed on them. Non-specific bases are blank.
Cut out the base along all of its black lines, including the two inner black lines that go down to the dotted lines. |
Fold down on the middle solid gray center line. Fold up on the upper & lower solid gray lines.
Apply a small amount of glue to the two areas to the left & right of the now-forming center tab. Add a bit of glue inside the center tab as well. |
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Position the upper portion of the base upon the lower glued ends, aligning it along the dotted lines. Pinch the glued center tab pieces together. |
Cut out both sides of the character or prop. Apply a thin layer of glue to one blank side and a bit of glue to both sides of the base's center tab.
Press the two pieces together with the tab between them, centering them snugly against the base |
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Once the glue dries, you can go back and trim the uneven parts if you have to.
Your character or prop is now ready. |
Types of
Characters & Props
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One kind has legitimate backs.
That is so the character can turn away from the action, such as in a dramatic or melodramatic play or for comic effect. |
Another kind has mirrored backs.
That is you can face them in either direction for better control of your stage elements.
The bulk of the characters & props will have mirrored backs. |
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A third kind has dual fronts.
The differences may be subtle (such as a character is smiling on one side and frowning on the other) or major (a Lectern on one side and a Music Stand on the other). |
Making Your Own
Characters & Props
I encourage you to make your own characters & props. I have included blank bases so you do not have to make your own.
Where do you get your own stuff if you have no artistic ability? Cut pictures out of newspapers, magazines and comics. Print out pictures you see on the Internet. Cut up photographs... but stay away from the Wedding Album like one unfortunate friend neglected to do.
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Glue the picture onto a piece of blank card stock. Outline it if you wish.
If the picture's pose has the legs apart, leave a piece of blank card stock between them so you can attach the base tab. |
Always make a back. Card stock needs additional support and it makes it easier to glue the character or prop to its base.
Trace the figure's outline onto another blank piece of card stock. Cut that out to use as your character's or prop's back.
Glue it together like any other character or prop. |
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If you want, print a name on its base. To match my style, use the Times New Roman font on its bold setting. Almost all computers already have Times New Roman as a standard installed font.
As long as you do not turn your homemade character or prop around, no one will notice that it has a blank back.
Many graphics programs have "Mirror" or "Reverse" options. If the image is stored in your computer, you can make mirrored backs for your homemade characters. |
