Tag Archives: life size

Life Size Elephant Puppet

Life-sized elephant puppet built for Evolution Dance’s Cirque Maudit show, October 2018.
Build time: 6 months
Budget: $500. Many of the materials were found or donated.
Construction site: Xanadu Community Center, Boise, Idaho

Two puppeteers were used. They strapped into the 13″ tall feet, climbed into the body, and strapped onto two backpack frames to support the weight. Total weight estimated around 30lbs.

Most structure was made from steel wire and chicken wire. Trunk plates made from insulating foam. The trunk did articulate, though movement was friction-limited. With more time the trunk would have been rebuilt for easier movement. Ears and neck also articulated.

Tail detail. The ‘skin’ was made from donated bed sheets, and is removable for transport, cleaning and storage. Tail hair made from broom bristles.