Park Slope's Puppetworks Theater to Close After Decades of Marionette Magic

The beloved neighborhood institution is searching for a new, more affordable home in Brooklyn.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:11pm

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An abstract, minimalist illustration composed of jagged, geometric cut-out shapes in shades of blue, purple, and black, conceptually representing the iconic marionette puppets that have entertained generations of Brooklynites at the Puppetworks theater.The impending closure of Puppetworks' longtime Park Slope theater marks the end of an era for this beloved community institution and its unique marionette performances.Brooklyn Today

After 40 years of entertaining generations of Brooklynites with classic children's tales performed by marionettes, the Puppetworks theater in Park Slope is being forced to close due to the building being sold to a developer. However, the Puppetworks team is actively searching for a new location, with talks underway about a potential move to Industry City.

Why it matters

Puppetworks has been a beloved neighborhood institution in Park Slope, providing a unique and rare experience of fully staged marionette performances for both children and adults. Its closure marks the end of an era and raises concerns about the affordability challenges facing small, community-oriented arts organizations in rapidly gentrifying areas of Brooklyn.

The details

The current Puppetworks theater on Sixth Avenue will close by October 1st, 2026. The building's owner has connected the Puppetworks team with a realtor to help them find a new, more affordable space, likely outside of the Park Slope neighborhood. Puppetworks' manager, Terry Smith, expressed optimism that they will be able to reopen the theater elsewhere in Brooklyn, potentially at Industry City.

  • Puppetworks has been entertaining Brooklynites since 1991 at its Sixth Avenue location.
  • The current theater will close by October 1, 2026 when the building is sold to a developer.
  • Puppetworks' next production, 'The Tortoise and the Hare', is scheduled for April 11-12, 2026.

The players

Puppetworks, Inc.

A nonprofit organization that has operated a marionette theater in Park Slope, Brooklyn since 1991, presenting classic children's tales through fully staged puppet performances.

Terry Smith

The manager of Puppetworks, who is overseeing the search for a new location for the theater after it is forced to close its longtime home on Sixth Avenue.

Nicolas Coppola

The artistic director of Puppetworks, who was inspired to become a puppeteer after seeing his first marionette show as a child in Brooklyn. He created Puppetworks' first cloth marionette with the help of his seamstress mother and tailor uncle.

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What they’re saying

“'They want us. I think it will work out favorably.'”

— Terry Smith, Puppetworks Manager

What’s next

Puppetworks is currently in talks to potentially relocate to a new space at Industry City in Brooklyn. The team is actively searching for an affordable new home for the theater, with the help of the building owner who has connected them with a realtor.

The takeaway

The closure of Puppetworks' longtime Park Slope theater is a significant loss for the Brooklyn community, as it marks the end of an era for this unique and beloved marionette performance venue. However, the Puppetworks team's determination to find a new home demonstrates the resilience of small, community-oriented arts organizations in the face of rising costs and gentrification pressures.