Children’s Theatre Company

Website: Children’s Theatre Company
Ticket Office: 612.874.0400

For over 50 years, Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) has been creating extraordinary theatre experiences that educate, challenge and inspire young people and the Twin Cities Community. Going to a play or musical there is always a treat for the family, especially when combined with a short trip to Mia. CTC also offers acting classes, workshops and camps for kids throughout the year through their Theatre Arts Training (TAT) program.

There is a pay lot connected to the theatre and museum. Parking can cost as much as an additional ticket. If there are not other events happening, free street parking can often be found around Whittier Park or on other nearby streets.

Upcoming Shows – Children’s Theatre Company

Kid-Friendly Theatre, Music and Performing Arts in the Twin Cities

A Parent’s Guide to Children’s Theatre Company

Age Appropriateness

CTC researches well and does an excellent job of rating their shows appropriately. There have been very few times I have disagreed with their age recommendations. Some shows will be perfect for first time audience members while others will be geared toward tweens & teens. All ages are welcome at any shows and there is a “Quiet Room” at the back of theater on the left side of the main theater. If you require brighter lights and space to run around, the lobby usually projects the show on screens so you can watch while a smaller child works out the wiggles. When our youngest was a toddler, I would book family shows for times when the Minneapolis Institute of Art was open, so we would have access to the museum’s family room to play with blocks.

Discounts and Coupons to CTC Performances

Shows start at $15 in Price Level C. This is close to the prices of other children’s theatre’s around the Twin Cities. However, when you are making it a family outing, this pricing can still be out of reach for some families. We have never seen a legitimate coupon for any main stage performance at Children’s Theatre Company. However, there are several ways to get discounted tickets.

CTC’s ACT Pass Program is a needs-based scholarship program for tickets, classes, and camps. You can read more about Joy’s experience with the ACT Pass Program here. In short, if you qualify for any type of assistance, school lunches, WIC, MA, etc., it is worth applying for this program.

Besides the ACT Pass program, CTC suggests other special offers and ways to save on tickets. These include:

1. Military ID discount: For adults with military IDs and partners of employed military.
2. Plan Ahead with Preview performances: Tickets for the first Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday performances of each show can be purchased in advance and are substantially discounted.
3. Be Spontaneous with Rush Tickets: Starting 2 hours prior to the show, you can show up at CTC and purchase unsold seats for $15 each at the ticket office. While this is the same price as the C Level tickets, the seats will often be better.
4. Check reciprocal benefits. We recently saw a 10% off discount through AAA.
5. Season Tickets. If you plan to see several or all the shows, than season tickets will net you the best prices.

Family-Friendly Amenities

CTC is built for families and offers several family-friendly amenities, including:

• A Private Nursing Room.  Just ask the staff if you want to use this space (but remember in Minnesota you have a legal right to nurse your child anywhere and CTC will support this right). You can also use the room for prayer or other private needs.
• Sensory Tools. The concierge desks will loan ear plugs, noise cancelling headphones and fidget toys as well as listening devices and other basic necessities.

Acting classes for kids at Children’s Theatre Company

Summer camps at CTC

Children’s Theatre Company offers an array of captivating summer camp options for students interested in theatre and theatre making. Camps offer opportunities to create and act out original stories, take on some of today’s hottest musicals, learn stagecraft, directing, theatrical makeup, and so much more. Our program provides professional theatre and educational experiences that help to build curious, creative, and confident young artists and individuals. With 11 weeks of camp, each week brings a new adventure for students in grades K-12. Visit CTC website for a full listing. Scholarships are available.

We include CTC summer camp options in our annual article: Twin Cities Summer Camps: Theater & Performing Arts Camps.

Theatre Arts Training

Besides children’s productions, CTC also offers the Theatre Arts Training (TAT) Program. Gianna shared her experience with TAT here; and Joy, who has taken advantage of classes through the ACT Pass program, lists 10 benefits of theatre classes here.

Related content

• Kid-Friendly Theater, Music and Performing Arts in the Twin Cities
• The ACT Pass Scholarship Program at the Children’s Theatre
• Acting Classes for Kids in the Twin Cities, Minnesota
• Twin Cities Summer Camps: Theater & Performing Arts Camps

• Forts! An Interactive Experience - 02/13/2026 - 04/05/2026 - SEE TIMES
• Dinosaur World LIVE - 03/03/2026 - 04/05/2026 - SEE TIMES
• The Wizard of Oz - 04/21/2026 - 06/14/2026 - SEE TIMES
• Children's Theatre Company Summer Camps - 06/08/2026 - 08/21/2026 - SEE TIMES
• CTC Summer Intensive Performance - Hadestown: Teen Edition - 08/07/2026 - 08/08/2026 - SEE TIMES

Fun Past Events We Hope to See Again

• Treasure Island - 09/09/2025 - 10/19/2025 - SEE TIMES
• Roald Dahl's The Enormous Crocodile, The Musical - 10/01/2025 - 11/23/2025 - SEE TIMES
• Dr. Seuss's How The Grinch Stole Christmas - 11/04/2025 - 01/04/2026 - SEE TIMES
• Go, Dog. Go! • Ve Perro ¡Ve! - 01/20/2026 - 02/22/2026 - SEE TIMES