In this activity students create and perform their own shadow puppet version of the Ramayana. 
 

What is Wayang? Image of wayang performance courtesy of Asian Art Museum
Look at traditional puppets in the Image Library and by searching for "wayang" on the Internet. Choose a script: You may have your class write their own script organized around the Southeast Asian scenes summary in the Image Library Or use the Middle School Script based on the Indian version written by my 6th grade student at Corte Madera Middle School.
Choose characters or pieces of scenery. I listed the puppets needed from the script, including the scenes, and had students choose their model from a group of four. The students then improvised the model depending upon the scene. For example, there were eight different Rama's. Students became very adept at creating a "working" bow for Rama. (# of picture) It is best to give the students very little instruction at this point and just allow the "creative juices" to flow.  Ravana	Rama and Lakshmana Ravana
Materials needed for Javanese Shadow Puppets  Legal size manila folders (1/2 for each student), and/or large tag board Hole punches in various sizes (1/8mm, ¼ mm, 3/8 mm, and 1/2mm) Can be purchased in fabric/craft stores. Metallic gold and silver paint that can be used on all surfaces ½" Paper fasteners Exacto knives and rubber boards Scissors Doilies Glitter in various colors and in "shaker" containers Feathers 23 ½ 'Bamboo gardening stakes (You will need approximately three per student)
Design and cut out puppets using an exacto knife. Students can use pieces of doily and a small hole punch for ornamentation. When all the body parts are finished, attach the pieces together using paper fasteners.    Once their model is complete, they remove the fasteners and paint with metallic paint. I also recommend painting both sides of the puppet. It becomes more durable and can withstand more use/abuse.  If they choose to use colored glitter it is best to shake over the wet paint.
Scene and background "props" were then created using the large tag board when needed, paint, whole punch, doilies, and exacto knives.
Attach each moving part of the puppets and scenery pieces to sticks so they can be manipulated by the puppeteer. I used bamboo gardening stakes, tape and wire.
The Theatre  The puppet shadows are backlit (in our case by an overhead projector light) on to cotton batting. A parent of one of the students built our frame using this sketch we found at the Asian Art Museum. We put the frame up on a table so the puppeteers could sit behind and below it.	Image courtesy of Asian Art Museum
Scenes from the 2002 Class Production:  (photos courtesy of Mark Ashida):

Ramayana Shadowplay Script: Written and performed in 2000 by Donna Kasprowicz' 6th grade class at Corte Madera Middle School, Portola Valley, California. 

Making puppets for use with an overhead projector. Demonstration by Dede Tisone-Bartels.