In 2024, A Blanck Canvas was commissioned to design and fabricate eight life-sized puppets for Gabby’s Dollhouse Live!, a large-scale touring stage production presented by TEG Life Like Touring in association with Universal Destinations & Experiences. This all-Australian production, inspired by DreamWorks Animation’s beloved preschool series, required high-quality, interactive puppets that could seamlessly integrate into the show’s dynamic storytelling and immersive stage design.

To meet this challenge, A Blanck Canvas brought the vibrant world of Gabby’s Dollhouse to life, developing puppets that adhered to licensed standards while ensuring full mobility, expressive animation, and durability for extended touring. Every creation was crafted with precision, combining artistry with technical innovation to deliver an authentic and engaging experience for audiences.

At A Blanck Canvas, every puppet begins as a vision—a character waiting to step off the screen and into reality. For Gabby’s Dollhouse Live!, our team designed and handcrafted each puppet to meet the demands of a high-energy touring production while remaining true to the charm and personality of the animated series. Using a combination of hand-operated mechanics, LED technology, and custom textiles, we ensured that every detail, from the texture of the fur to the subtlety of each expression, captured the essence of the characters.

Each puppet was constructed with hand-dyed fleece skin and fur, offering a rich, screen-accurate finish. LED-illuminated eyes, controlled by hand, allowed for natural blinking and expressive movement. Hand-operated mouth levers brought characters to life with fluid speech and animation, while foot-anchored designs enabled full-body articulation, ensuring dynamic and lifelike performances on stage.

Designing each character came with its own unique challenges, requiring custom-built solutions to enhance their presence on stage. Kitty Fairy was engineered with programmable wings that flapped mid-flight, seamlessly controlled via a rod system to create a weightless, ethereal movement. DJ Catnip featured LED-lit tentacles, which pulsed and transitioned into DJ mode, enhancing the show’s interactive and energetic atmosphere. Sprinkle Party was developed in two distinct versions—one as a traditional puppet for character interaction, and another as a stunt version designed to explode with confetti, creating a spectacular, show-stopping moment.

Beyond aesthetics, these puppets were designed for durability, built to withstand the rigours of a national tour while ensuring maximum performer comfort. Lightweight materials allowed for ease of operation, while modular construction facilitated quick maintenance and repairs. Custom internal mechanisms provided smooth, expressive movement, allowing each character to feel truly alive on stage.

These carefully crafted puppets became an integral part of Gabby’s Dollhouse Live!, enriching the production with their charm, energy, and seamless integration into the show’s immersive world. Through innovative design and expert craftsmanship, A Blanck Canvas once again transformed imagination into reality, delivering a truly unforgettable experience for audiences across Australia.