(JERSEY CITY, NJ) -- Art House Productions and Puppet Heap are thrilled to announce The Heap at Art House, a screening of short films narrated by The Heap. On Thursday, March 27, 2025, Puppet Heap will present a series of short films featuring their puppets, followed by a Q&A with Puppet Heap founder Paul Andrejco. This event is open to all ages. Tickets are $30.00 for adults and $20 for students.
“This collaboration with Puppet Heap has been an extraordinary journey. The team behind these beautifully crafted puppets will showcase their featured short films for the Jersey City Community. The pop-up exhibit in the Art House Gallery this past January introduced The Heap, a walking puppet, to new audiences and now those visitors can experience The Heap come to life! As a home for both visual and performing arts, Art House is thrilled to continue this partnership with Puppet Heap,” says Sunjay Venkatraman, Art House Productions Marketing Director.
“We are thrilled to announce that The Heap is taking a major step forward, moving from concept to immersive experience, " says Cindy Campos Alves, Business Development & Marketing Director. Our short films have provided a glimpse into The Heap’s lore, and when he first made his debut, our social media platforms exploded with engagement. It's clear: the time has come to connect the Heap and his world directly with the community. The Heap—an old, burdened man carrying the weight of the world on his back—has become an allegory for the struggles we all face and the interconnectedness of society. Until now, we’ve had limited opportunities to engage audiences in his story. We are excited to create spaces where people can meet The Heap face-to-face, explore the weight he carries, and connect with his journey in a personal way. Through puppetry and digital media, we aim to provide an immersive storytelling experience that allows each audience member to see their own life reflected in The Heap’s world. Every interaction helps to deepen the connection to the community, adding a new layer to his story. As we continue working toward a longer form of media, we’re committed to ensuring that everyone, no matter their background, can see themselves in The Heap's journey.”
The program features the screening of a series of short films: Omar’s Mother, Ye Ballade of Ivan Petrofsky Skevar, Mother Hubbard Among Others, and I Knew and Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly.
Narrating this program is Puppet Heap’s walking puppet, The Heap, the brainchild of Hoboken artist Paul Andrejco, that was 30 years in the making. As described in an NJ.com article, The Heap is an eccentric old man who is the guide and storyteller for the puppets of the mythical town of Spudbottom. In a feature with TapInto, Andrejco has said “The Heap is a reflection of the fact that we all carry a lot of stuff with us and as we get older it just keeps building."
Advance tickets are $30 (student tickets are $20) and available for purchase online. Art House Productions is located at 345 Marin Boulevard in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Puppet Heap is a unique design and production studio based in Hoboken, specializing in storytelling through the creation of iconic characters for various media, including film, television, advertising, theater, and new media. Founded by artist, designer, filmmaker, and professor Paul Andrejco, the company began in the early ‘90s beneath a burgeoning “heap” of puppets in his small Hoboken apartment. Now, just a few blocks away, Puppet Heap is home to teams of talented artists, designers, writers, and producers who create character-based narratives for clients around the world, including The Walt Disney Company, Sesame Workshop, and Nickelodeon.
Puppet Heap is also honored to be entrusted with the care, maintenance, and creative support for Disney’s The Muppets Studio since 2006.
Puppet Heap takes pride in local roots, and you may have spotted our Heap walking the streets of Hoboken last year. Whether it's designing new characters or maintaining beloved classics, Puppet Heap continues to bring great stories to life.
ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES - Art House Productions is dedicated to providing an inclusive experience for all. Accessibility features include: Wheelchair-accessible seating; ASL interpretation upon request (2 weeks' notice required); Audio description for blind and low-vision patrons upon request (2 weeks' notice required); Service animals welcome; and Fully accessible restrooms.
For specific accommodations, contact them at 201-579-0532 or email Meredith Burns at [email protected]. They are here to help ensure your visit is comfortable and enjoyable.
Art House Productions is a nonprofit organization committed to developing and presenting performing and visual arts in Jersey City, New Jersey. Art House offers theater, visual art exhibitions, arts festivals, and adult and youth art classes.
Art House Productions is grateful for support from Hudson County Cultural Affairs, the Exchange Place Alliance, RWJ Barnabas, NJ State Council on the Arts, HDSID, Jersey City Economic Development Corporation, Jersey City Health and Human Services, Panepinto Properties, Jersey City Arts and Culture Trust Fund, SILVERMAN, Super Buy Rite, Tito’s, and many other generous donors and sponsors.
