Stage of Impossibilities

The Stage of Impossibilities is a project that expands the possibilities of puppetry beyond traditional hand movements. The concept behind this project is to involve individuals with physical disabilities, particularly those with limited mobility, in performing arts activities, especially puppetry. The primary goal was to enhance creative and expressive opportunities for those with paralysis from the neck down.

However, it was later discovered that the system also has developmental and therapeutic benefits for children with severe and multiple disabilities. Learning to control head movements is a crucial starting point in the rehabilitation program for these children. The controlled head movements directly parallel the manipulation of a marionette puppet, as the head rotates on three axes, similar to the hand movements of a puppeteer.

The puppet-controlling machine consists of sensors, a robotic arm frame, and a marionette puppet hanging from a guiding cross by strings. The frame and the puppet can be moved by even the smallest movements of any body part capable of motion, including the head. These movements are tracked by sensors, converted into computer data, and then transmitted wirelessly to the control mechanism, resulting in the desired movements of the puppet. This wireless transmission allows the puppeteer to choose their distance from the puppet, enabling complete separation between the puppet and the controlling individual.

Using a puppet as a tool is an excellent choice because it enables the physical manipulation of an object, even for those who find moving their own bodies challenging. It opens a new communication channel that is much more visually impactful and effective than virtual movements on a screen.