Puppetworks to Celebrate New Industry City Home in Brooklyn
The beloved Brooklyn puppet theater marks its move to the Sunset Park creative complex.
Industry City, brooklynONE productions and Puppetworks have announced Puppetworks: Behind the Curtain, a community celebration honoring one of Brooklyn's most beloved arts institutions as it prepares to relocate to a new home at Industry City.
Taking place on Friday, June 26, 2026, the event will celebrate more than 45 years of Puppetworks' contributions to Brooklyn's cultural landscape while offering audiences an exclusive preview of the organization's future theater and educational space.
For generations, Puppetworks has introduced children and families to live theater through handcrafted marionette productions, educational programming and imaginative storytelling. As the company prepares to leave its longtime Park Slope home, the event will recognize its legacy while looking ahead to its next chapter.
Hosted by Industry City and brooklynONE productions, the celebration reflects a collaborative effort to support Brooklyn's independent arts community and preserve cultural institutions for future generations. The move also marks Puppetworks' arrival as the newest arts organization to join Industry City's growing creative campus.
The day's festivities will begin with a family celebration from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., featuring interactive puppet activities, creative workshops, children's entertainment, displays and opportunities for families to meet Puppetworks artists and performers.
State Senator Andrew Gounardes praised the transition, saying, "Puppetworks has been a community staple and a meaningful part of so many memories for almost fifty years. I'm thrilled that this local institution will continue to delight future generations of young and old alike in its new home at Industry City."
An evening reception will follow from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., featuring wine and light refreshments, special presentations, live puppet performances, community storytelling and an exclusive preview of Puppetworks' future facility.
A centerpiece of the event will be "What Puppetworks Means to Me," a community storytelling initiative inviting audience members, former students, artists, educators and supporters to share personal memories and reflections. These contributions will become part of a digital archive documenting the organization's history and future.
"All of us at Puppetworks have been overwhelmed by the community's response to our sudden need to find a new home," said Nicolas Coppola, Founder and Artistic Director of Puppetworks. "The outpouring of warm memories and support has been deeply encouraging. We are excited and energized by this move to Industry City and look forward to creating new memories for generations of children, educators, and families."
Guests will also have the opportunity to tour Puppetworks' future theater and educational space, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the organization's plans for continued growth and service to Brooklyn families.
Anthony Marino, Artistic Director of brooklynONE productions, said, "This event is about celebrating a Brooklyn institution and the generations of artists, families and audiences who have kept its magic alive. As a fellow Brooklyn arts organization, we are honored to welcome Puppetworks into the Industry City community."
Event Information
Puppetworks: Behind the Curtain
Date: Friday, June 26, 2026
Family Celebration
Time: 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Evening Reception & Future Home Preview
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Location
The Tom Kane Theatre at brooklynONE productions
Industry City
51 35th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11232
Additional programming details and special guests will be announced in the coming weeks.
About Puppetworks
Founded in 1980, Puppetworks has delighted generations of families through traditional marionette productions, educational programs and storytelling experiences. The company has become a treasured part of Brooklyn's cultural community, inspiring young audiences through the art of live performance.
About brooklynONE productions
Founded in 2006, brooklynONE productions is a Brooklyn-based nonprofit arts organization dedicated to producing theatrical works, supporting artists and presenting multidisciplinary cultural programming. Based at Industry City, the organization serves as a hub for theater, film, music, visual arts and community events.
About Industry City
Industry City is a 35-acre innovation campus located on the Brooklyn waterfront in Sunset Park. Home to artists, makers, entrepreneurs, manufacturers and cultural organizations, the campus continues to invest in creative programming and spaces that support Brooklyn's artistic and economic future.
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