puppeteer
Hands behind characters
A puppeteer is someone who manipulates puppets—figures controlled by strings, rods, or hands to create the illusion of independent movement.
The term extends to anyone who controls others from behind the scenes: The CEO was just a figurehead; the real puppeteer was the majority shareholder.
To puppeteer is to control in this way.
Thin flexible lines
- PinocchioLying wooden puppet
- woodenMade from timber
- jointedHaving flexible connections
- rodThin rigid stick
Bunraku · Judy · figurine · carving · craftsmanship · articulation · crossbar
Japanese puppet theater tradition
- RajasthaniOf a northwestern Indian state
- JavaneseOf a major Indonesian island
- TurkishOf Anatolia's republic
- VietnameseOf Southeast Asian nation
Thin flexible lines
- controlAuthority to direct
- orchestrationScoring for instrumental ensemble
- mastermindScheme's chief planner
- behind-the-scenesHidden from public view
influence · maneuvering · handler · operator · schemer · power-broker · kingmaker · directing
Make something apparent
- theaterVenue for live drama
- stageRaised performance platform
- audienceGathered viewers collectively
- curtainFabric hung for privacy
act · scene · storytelling · mime · troupe · entertainer · busker · showman
Renowned puppeteer surname
- carvingShaping by cutting away
- constructionProcess of building something
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- designPurposeful creative planning
painting · costuming · rigging · stringing · mechanism · articulation · workshop · materials
strings
Thin flexible lines
rod · Bunraku · Judy · figurine · carving · craftsmanship · articulation · crossbar
Bunraku
Japanese puppet theater tradition
- RajasthaniOf a northwestern Indian state
- JavaneseOf a major Indonesian island
- TurkishOf Anatolia's republic
strings
Thin flexible lines
- controlAuthority to direct
- orchestrationScoring for instrumental ensemble
- mastermindScheme's chief planner
behind-the-scenes · influence · maneuvering · handler · operator · schemer · power-broker · kingmaker · directing
show
Make something apparent
curtain · act · scene · storytelling · mime · troupe · entertainer · busker · showman · festival
Henson
Renowned puppeteer surname
- carvingShaping by cutting away
- constructionProcess of building something
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
design · painting · costuming · rigging · stringing · mechanism · articulation · workshop · materials · foam
- performersactor, dancer, actress, singer, musician
- entertainerssingers, actor, dancers, actress, musicians
- puppetryBunraku, bunraku, wayang kulit, shadow play, Punch and Judy
- creativesartist, artists, painter, painters, illustrators
- cultural creatorsartist, musician, dancer, singer, writer
- party entertainersclown, magician, balloon artist, juggler, entertainer
puppeteerpuppet
Controlled performing figure
marionette · pawn · automaton · tool · instrument
puppeteeractor
One who portrays characters
performer · leading man · front man · spokesperson · stage actor
puppeteerpuppet
Controlled performing figure
pawn · stooge · figurehead · mouthpiece · dupe