Puppetry in Practice

Puppetry in Practice is an independent, not-for-profit organization housed in the School of Education at Brooklyn College. It is committed to using the arts as a lens through which students experience, learn from, and appreciate the world’s rich history of ideas, cultures, and imagination.

Since 1980, Puppetry in Practice (PiP) has used a multi-arts approach to language learning and literacy. Puppetry in Practice introduces and instills an enthusiasm for the creative spirit in every individual, at any age, through a variety of art forms. PiP collaborates with the School of Education and the entire Brooklyn College community through educational initiatives, festivals and special events. Walk-in visits are always encouraged.

The organization has a long history of assembling artists from around the world to develop and implement arts-infused programming to promote lifelong learning and an awareness of one’s expressive self in the world. Between 25,000 and 30,000 individuals annually, Pre-K to high school, are reached in an average of 20 schools per year, along with school leaders, teachers, parents and community members.

Specialists in a variety of art forms tailor programming directly for New York City public schools and community-based organizations, addressing the needs of its students, faculty and families. This multi-pronged, arts-driven approach—with a focus on language development, written and oral creative expression, creative arts, and a cultural immersion in the countries of origin that make up our city—enhances classroom learning, helps individuals find their creative voice, speeds literacy and engages students.

Throughout the years, PiP has placed a diverse team of dynamic and professional teaching artists into NYC schools to cover a broad range of curriculum topics and areas of study with a hands-on, arts-based approach. PiP continues to evolve, embracing electronic technology, in order to meet the current changes in educational standards throughout the state and country to continually produce unique, high-quality arts programming. PiP engages young people—many of whom are English Language Learners and Special Education students—through Puppets and Puppet Making, Toy Theater, Stop-Motion Animation, Filmmaking, Book Arts, Immersive Theater and Play Writing, Mural Painting, Storytelling, Folk Arts, and Festivals and Parades.

All PiP programs address and meet standards detailed in the New York City Scope & Sequence for Social Studies and Science; NYC Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts; and Common Core Standards. These programs are directly tied into NYC Department of Education initiatives.

More information is available from Puppetry in Practice.