City Parks Foundation (CPF) is the only independent, nonprofit organization to offer park programs throughout the five boroughs of New York City. We work in over 750 parks citywide, presenting a broad range of free arts, sports, and education programs, and empowering citizens to support their parks on a local level. Our programs and community building initiatives reach more than 600,000 people each year, contributing to the revitalization of neighborhoods throughout New York City.
CityParks PuppetMobile
CityParks PuppetMobile, one of the only traveling puppet theaters in the country, brings Swedish Cottage productions and puppet making workshops to all corners of the city, free of charge.
Traveling the five boroughs of the city in a PuppetMobile equipped with a stage and staff of professional puppeteers, we bring entertainment to 50,000 children and families each year.
Performances are held in parks, playgrounds and recreation centers. Puppet making workshops are also offered where children learn about the art of puppetry and create their own puppets.
Each year our puppeteers conduct artist residencies in Parks Department recreation centers, providing a unique arts-in-education experience to children in grades K - 4.
Residencies include professional marionette performances by our puppeteers, as well as daily workshops and comprehensive 10-12 session workshops in recreation centers where the puppeteers teach and have direct contact with the children.
In the summer and fall, we present shows in outdoor public spaces throughout the five boroughs. In our current production of "Bessie's Big Shot", Bessie the cow dreams of joining the circus, but can she lift more than Ziegfried, the strongest man in the world or fly on the trapeze high above the crowd? Come watch this original show created specifically for the PuppetMobile and find out!
Please call (347) 865-5289 for information about the PuppetMobile’s schedule in your neighborhood school or park.
In all of its programming and activities, City Parks Foundation partners with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation to improve neighborhood parks and the communities they serve.
