Collapsible, portable puppet stage

Abstract

A method comprising identifying a frame comprising a plurality of rods forming a plurality of rod pairs or rod scissors, deploying the frame to create a structure comprising a base, stage right support, and stage left support, applying a cover to the frame, and suspending a curtain between the stage right and stage left supports to form a backdrop and upstage boundary for the stage.

1 . A method comprising:
 identifying a frame comprising
 a plurality of rods forming a plurality of rod pairs, each rod of the plurality of rods comprising a midpoint and being pivotably connected proximate the midpoint to another rod of the plurality of rods to form a rod pair of the plurality of rod pairs, and 
 a plurality of hubs, each hub of the plurality of hubs connecting a rod pair of the plurality of rod pairs to an adjacent rod pair of the plurality of rod pairs; 
   deploying the frame to create a structure comprising a base, stage right support, and stage left support, the stage right support and stage left support connected to the base to extend upward therefrom and frame therewith a right side, left side, and floor, respectively, of a stage;   applying a cover to the frame; and   suspending a curtain between the stage right and stage left supports to form a backdrop and upstage boundary for the stage.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein deploying comprises converting the frame from a collapsed form to an expanded form. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the frame is characterized by a thickness, lateral span, and vertical height and wherein the thickness decreases, and the lateral span and vertical height increase, during the converting from the collapsed form to the expanded form. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein deploying further comprises urging a decrease in the thickness and ensuring clearance for increases in the lateral span and vertical height. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein deploying further comprises locking the frame in the expanded form to maintain the structure erect against the acceleration of gravity acting thereon. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein locking comprises effecting a mechanical link between one hub of the plurality of hubs and another hub of the plurality of hubs, the mechanical link opposing a separation, of the one hub from the other hub, urged by the acceleration of gravity acting on the structure. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising positioning a platform on the base to form the floor of the stage. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the cover is opaque. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein applying the cover comprises securing the cover to selected hubs of the plurality of hubs. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the selected hubs are equipped with a hook material. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the cover comprises a fabric having fibers. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein applying the cover comprises urging engagement between the hook material and the fibers. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the frame further comprises a right curtain support, a left curtain support, and a curtain rod. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the curtain rod is selectively collapsible. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein suspending the curtain comprises assembling the curtain rod. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein suspending the curtain further comprises securing a first end of the curtain rod to the right curtain support and a second end of the curtain rod to the left curtain support. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the right curtain support is connected to the structure proximate the top of the stage right support and the left curtain support is connected to the structure proximate the top of the stage left support. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the curtain is semitransparent and suspending the curtain further comprises threading the curtain onto the curtain rod. 
   
   
       19 . A method comprising:
 identifying a frame comprising
 a plurality of rods forming a plurality of rod pairs, each rod of the plurality of rods comprising a midpoint and being pivotably connected proximate the midpoint to another rod of the plurality of rods to form a rod pair of the plurality of rod pairs, and 
 a plurality of hubs, each hub of the plurality of hubs connecting a rod pair of the plurality of rod pairs to an adjacent rod pair of the plurality of rod pairs; 
   deploying the frame to create a structure comprising a base, stage right support, and stage left support, the stage right support and stage left support connected to the base to extend upward therefrom and frame therewith a right side, left side, and floor, respectively, of a stage;   applying an opaque cover to the frame to resist visibility through the base, stage right support, and stage left support;   positioning a platform on the base to form the floor of the stage;   suspending a semitransparent curtain between the stage right and stage left supports to form a backdrop and upstage boundary for the stage;   standing a performer behind the curtain;   positioning an audience in front of the curtain; and   performing, by the performer while standing, a puppet presentation on the stage.   
   
   
       20 . A method comprising:
 identifying a frame characterized by a thickness, lateral span, and vertical height, the frame comprising
 a plurality of rods forming a plurality of rod pairs, each rod of the plurality of rods comprising a midpoint and being pivotably connected proximate the midpoint to another rod of the plurality of rods to form a rod pair of the plurality of rod pairs, 
 a plurality of hubs, each hub of the plurality of hubs connecting a rod pair of the plurality of rod pairs to an adjacent rod pair of the plurality of rod pairs, and 
 a lock; 
   converting the frame from a collapsed form to an expanded form by urging at least one of a decrease in the thickness, an increase in the lateral span, and an increase in the vertical height, the frame in the expanded form creating a structure comprising a base, stage right support, and stage left support, the stage right support and stage left support connected to the base to extend upward therefrom and frame therewith a stage right, stage left, and floor, respectively, of a stage;   using the lock to effect a mechanical link between one hub of the plurality of hubs and another hub of the plurality of hubs, the mechanical link opposing a separation, of the one hub from the other hub, urged by the acceleration of gravity acting on the structure.   applying an opaque cover to the frame to resist visibility through the base, stage right support, and stage left support;   positioning a platform on the base to form the floor of the stage;   suspending a curtain between the stage right and stage left supports to form a backdrop and upstage boundary for the stage;   standing a performer behind the curtain;   positioning an audience in front of the curtain; and   performing, by the performer while standing, a puppet presentation on the stage.