It is one of the few theaters in the country with a full-time resident company of professional actors.
The company received the 2003 Regional Theatre Tony Award, the first and only time a theater for young people has been honored with this distinction.
CTC operates its own on-site scene shop, costume shop, and prop shop to build all productions from scratch.
The theater serves as a major training ground for professional youth actors, many of whom have gone on to careers in film and Broadway.
It commissions more new plays for young audiences than almost any other theater company in the United States.
The Children's Theatre Company (CTC) in Minneapolis is the largest theatre for young people in North America and a recipient of the Regional Theatre Tony Award. Located within the Minneapolis Institute of Art campus, it functions as a professional theater producing world-premiere works and adaptations of literature. The company operates two performance spaces: the 546-seat UnitedHealth Group Stage and the more intimate 293-seat Cargill Stage. The institution maintains a dedicated resident company of professional actors and designers. It serves over 250,000 people annually through its public performances and educational outreach initiatives. Productions often feature complex puppetry, original scores, and high-production-value set designs. The theater emphasizes the 'Crayons to Careers' pipeline, offering extensive theater arts training for youth. It maintains a partnership with the local school system to provide curriculum-integrated matinee performances. Its artistic mandate focuses on telling stories that resonate with both children and adults simultaneously.
The vibrant, oversized art installations and murals frequently rotated in the main lobby provide a colorful backdrop.
Check the 'Age Recommendation' guide on their website for each specific show before booking, as some performances are tailored for toddlers while others target pre-teens.
Arrive early to explore the interactive, family-friendly lobby displays which often relate to the production's themes.
Consider signing up for the e-newsletter to receive notifications about sensory-friendly performance dates.
Assuming every production is suitable for all ages; always verify the recommended age range on the official website to ensure the content matches your child's maturity level.
Operates on a seasonal basis, typically from late summer through early summer; generally dark for mainstage performances during mid-to-late July.
Business casual to casual; standard theater decorum applies, though children are encouraged to be expressive and engaged during performances.
