Beloved Park Slope Puppet Theater Shutting Down After 40 Years

PARK SLOPE, NY — For four decades, Park Slope’s Puppetworks has charmed Brooklyn families with marionette performances of beloved children’s tales — but now, the theater is facing its final curtain call.

According to officials, the Park Slope building at 338 Sixth Avenue, between Fourth and Fifth streets, is being sold to a developer and will close in October.

In a message to the community, the nonprofit said it plans to continue presenting “The Classics of Children’s Lore” in Brooklyn, keeping alive its rare tradition of fully staged marionette performances.

The Puppetworks team said they are actively searching for a new location, with discussions underway about a possible move to Industry City.

Puppetworks Inc. was founded by Artistic Director Nicolas Coppola, whose passion for puppetry began in third grade after seeing a performance by the Suzari Marionettes at Brooklyn’s P.S. 200.

Coppola later established the nonprofit Puppetworks Inc., which succeeded his earlier troupe, the Nicolo Marionettes. From 1997 to 2000, Puppetworks produced shows at the Children’s Aid Society’s Greenwich Village Theatre before becoming a full-time resident puppet theater in Park Slope’s historic district, according to the theater’s website.

The puppet theater has a packed lineup ahead, including The 3 Little Lambs, a playful reimagining of The Three Little Pigs, along with The Ugly Duckling and The 3 Wishes.

All productions were adapted for hand puppets by Coppola. Each show runs about 55 minutes and is recommended for kids ages 2 and up, with performances set for Aug. 15–16 and 22–23, 2026.

After that, Puppetworks will stage Hansel & Gretel, the Brothers Grimm favorite featuring songs by Humperdinck and adapted for marionettes by Coppola, beginning Aug. 29.

To learn more or stay up to date on upcoming shows, visit puppetworks.org.