Step inside New York City’s past through a breathtaking fusion of history, storytelling, and visual artistry. “Layer the Walls,” an acclaimed puppet theater production by Grand Pistachio, arrives at Brooklyn College for two unforgettable performances that bring the city’s immigration stories vividly to life for audiences of all ages.

On January 25 and 31, the Claire Tow Theater at Brooklyn College’s Leonard & Claire Tow Center for the Performing Arts will transform into a Lower East Side tenement apartment, where generations of immigrant families once lived, dreamed, and persevered. Through stunning puppetry and deeply human narratives, “Layer the Walls” reveals the true stories embedded within these walls.

Having already captivated more than 50,000 young people and families nationwide, this powerful series underscores Brooklyn College’s role as a vibrant anchor for the arts in Brooklyn and beyond.

“Layer the Walls exemplifies the kind of daring, imaginative work we are proud to present at the Leonard and Claire Tow Center for the Performing Arts,” said the Tow Center’s new Director Eveline Chang. “By blending visual storytelling, movement, and unexpected perspectives, this series invites Brooklyn College audiences to experience puppetry as a powerful contemporary art form, one that breaks boundaries, sparks curiosity, and brings people together across disciplines.”

About the shows:

Set in a Lower East Side tenement apartment, “Layer the Walls” explores the true stories of immigrant families who once lived within its walls. Part I and Part II are stand-alone performances and may be enjoyed in any order, allowing audiences to choose the stories that resonate most with them.

All performances are 60 minutes and include a free post-show workshop. Tickets are $10.

Performance details:

“Layer the Walls Part” I (Ideal for ages 8 and up)
Turn of the Century (1870–1909)
Sunday, January 25 at 2:00 PM

  • An Irish father finds work building the Brooklyn Bridge.
  • Italian brothers survive the Great Blizzard of 1888.
  • Russian Jewish girls join the 1909 Garment Workers’ Strike.

Tickets: https://tickets.brooklyn.edu/eventperformances.asp?evt=500

(For Brooklyn College community, please, include discount code LAYER5 for discounted $5 tickets.

Watch trailer (Part I) https://player.vimeo.com/video/309206167

“Layer the Walls” Part II (Ideal for ages 9 and up)
Midcentury (1930–1970)
Saturday, January 31 at 2:00 PM

  • A Chinese father swims the Hudson River to save his family.
  • A teen Holocaust survivor finds refuge in New York City.
  • Puerto Rican cousins join the Young Lords’ fight for healthcare justice.

Watch trailer (Part II) https://player.vimeo.com/video/1117518866