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Theatre of Moving Characters

Build an ornate little theatre with a wizard, a fox and a robot. A crank turns three cams that raise the three-dimensional characters in sequence. The open front below the stage lets you see the mechanism and create your own story.

Age
8–12 years
Length
approx. 8.5 h
Level
Hard
Where you teach
Home
Purpose
Creative
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How to run this session

Stages and timing
  1. Base outline
  2. Infill: Box base
  3. Two braced sides
  4. Mount the sides on the base
  5. Join the sides with beams
  6. Deck outline and openings
  7. Infill: Deck with three openings
  8. Mount the deck
  9. Portal ribs
  10. Infill: Portal with cornice
  11. Stand up the portal
  12. Bearings and shaft fit
  13. Make the shaft
  14. Left bearing and shaft
  15. Three cam discs
  16. Thread and phase the cams
  17. Right bearing
  18. Crank and stops
  19. Guides at two levels
  20. Align the guides
  21. Stems and flat feet
  22. Insert the stems and attach feet
  23. Wizard: front ribs
  24. Infill: Wizard: front half
  25. Wizard: back ribs
  26. Infill: Wizard: back half
  27. Wizard: join the halves
  28. Wizard: distinctive details
  29. Fox: front ribs
  30. Infill: Fox: front half
  31. Fox: back ribs
  32. Infill: Fox: back half
  33. Fox: join the halves
  34. Fox: distinctive details
  35. Robot: front ribs
  36. Infill: Robot: front half
  37. Robot: back ribs
  38. Infill: Robot: back half
  39. Robot: join the halves
  40. Robot: distinctive details
  41. Mount the characters and stops
  42. Starry backdrop frame
  43. Infill: Backdrop and rear frame
  44. Mount the backdrop behind the characters
  45. Curtain scaffold
  46. Infill: Fixed curtains and swags
  47. Mount the fixed curtains
  48. Add the stars
  49. Movement trial: 0–120°
  50. Movement trial: 120–240°
  51. Movement trial: 240–360°

What gets built

Create a small stage brought to life by one turn of a crank.

What it practises
  • Building three-dimensional shells on ribs
  • Fitting sliders and phasing cams
  • Creating scenery and a story

Success criteria
  • The base stands flat, the portal does not lean and the open space below the stage provides access to the mechanism.
  • One slow turn of the crank gives the wizard, fox and robot their maximum lift in sequence; all characters return under gravity.
  • The characters do not twist in their guides or catch the scenery, and the shaft does not slide out of its bearings.
  • Create a short story: give each successive lift a line of dialogue or an event.

What you need
Filament
PLA
Colours
colour shown in the illustration, colour shown in the illustration, colour shown in the illustration, colour shown in the illustration, colour shown in the illustration, colour shown in the illustration, colour shown in the illustration, colour shown in the illustration
Also
PLA-compatible 3D pen: 1 item, 3D pen work mat: 1 item, Ruler: 1 item

Files

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Version b86422fe-4978-4d4f-bcc3-1f1a03653bf3 Updated 2026-10-10

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