Key Takeaways:
- Puppetworks is a theater in Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood that has been serving the community for over 30 years with live puppet shows.
- The theater offers a unique experience for children, with a variety of puppet types and classic stories, including some with modern twists.
- Puppetworks has adapted to the changing times, incorporating new technologies and themes, while maintaining its traditional approach to storytelling.
- The theater provides a sense of community for families and children, offering a alternative to screen-based entertainment.
- Puppetworks’ shows are affordable, with tickets starting at $11, and are suitable for young children, with a 45-minute runtime.
Introduction to Puppetworks
Puppetworks is a beloved institution in Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood, offering live puppet shows to children and families for over 30 years. The theater’s founder and artistic director, Nicolas Coppola, has been a professional puppeteer since 1954 and has created a unique and enchanting experience for his audience. Every weekend, children gather on foam mats and colored blocks to watch wooden renditions of classic stories, such as The Tortoise and the Hare, Pinocchio, and Aladdin, for exactly 45 minutes – the length of one side of a cassette tape.
The Puppetworks Experience
The Puppetworks experience is a sensory delight for children, with a variety of puppet types, including marionette, swing, hand, and rod puppets. The shows are designed to transport patrons back to the ’80s, when most of Puppeworks’ puppets were made and the audio tracks were taped. The theater’s repertoire includes century-old stories, some with modern twists, and the shows are carefully crafted to engage young children. For just $11 a seat ($12 for adults), families can enjoy a unique and entertaining experience that is both nostalgic and fresh.
Adapting to the Times
Since Coppola started the theater, changes have been made to the repertoire of shows to better meet the cultural moment. The biggest change was the characterization of princesses in the ’60s and ’70s, Coppola says: "Now, we’re a little more enlightened." The theater has also been influenced by streaming, with the recent return of Rumpelstiltskin to the repertoire after the tale was repopularized following Dreamworks’ release of the Shrek film franchise. This adaptability has helped Puppetworks stay relevant and appealing to new generations of children and families.
The Importance of Community
Puppetworks is more than just a theater – it’s a community hub. Many parents find out about the theater through word of mouth or school visits, and they appreciate the opportunity to introduce their children to live entertainment. Whitney Sprayberry, a parent, says, "My husband and I are both artists, so we much prefer live entertainment. We allow screens, but are mindful of what we’re watching and how often." The theater’s manager of stage operations, Jamie Moore, notes that Puppetworks provides a sense of community for families, allowing them to connect with each other and with the performers.
The Power of Imagination
Coppola cautions that excessive screen time can limit a child’s imagination, and Puppetworks offers a unique alternative. "The part of theater they’re not getting by being on the phone is the sense of community," he says. "In our small way, we’re keeping that going." By providing a live and interactive experience, Puppetworks encourages children to use their imagination and engage with the world around them. As Sabrina Chap, a regular at Puppetworks, notes, "It’s a way I connect all the parents in the neighborhood whose kids go to different schools. A lot of these kids live within a block of each other."
Conclusion
Puppetworks is a treasure of Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood, offering a unique and enchanting experience for children and families. With its rich history, adaptability, and commitment to community, the theater continues to thrive, providing a sense of wonder and imagination for generations to come. As a testament to the power of live entertainment, Puppetworks reminds us of the importance of human connection and community in a world dominated by screens.
