Shadow Puppets

Mount Hood Community College's production of The Secret Garden intended to re-access the original book and play's portrayal of Mary's time in India, part of which was giving her traditional shadow puppet toys instead of the dolls that are originally in the script. Working with a cultural advisor who drew the original designs, I used the plans to cut out two shadow puppets for her to play with during the opening scene.

The drawing I was given

My plans for creating the overlapping joints

The dancer is made from a thicker cardstock. Her joints are connected with tiny brads that allow them to rotate. The face was cut from a thinner cardstock, so it can be warped in front of the light and appear to be talking or laughing.

The drawing I was given