Children's Theatre Company
A Minneapolis regional theatre known for professionally produced plays and musicals created for children, families, and multigenerational audiences.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Children's Theatre Company (CTC) is a nonprofit regional theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota, devoted to performances and learning experiences for children, families, young audiences, and very young spectators. Although its institutional history begins in 1965, the company's roots reach back to The Moppet Players, a troupe associated with John Clark Donahue and Beth Leinerson during the early 1960s. CTC initially became part of the education department of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, then separated in 1975 and incorporated as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The organization occupies a distinctive position in the American theatre field because it treats young audiences as a central artistic constituency rather than as an ancillary educational market. Its repertory combines original plays, commissioned works, adaptations of children's and young-adult literature, musicals, and productions designed for multigenerational attendance. Examples associated with its repertoire include Pippi Longstocking, The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins, Cinderella, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, A Year with Frog and Toad, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and Alice in Wonderland. The company has also developed new work based on stories and ideas by writers including Matt de la Peña, Jeff Kinney, J. R. R. Tolkien, Kate DiCamillo, and Jacqueline Woodson. CTC performs in two principal spaces. The UnitedHealth Group Stage seats approximately 747 people, while the flexible Cargill Stage accommodates up to approximately 300. A major building expansion designed by architect Michael Graves opened in 2003, nearly doubling production-shop capacity and adding the smaller stage and associated lobby areas. The theatre is located near the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, reflecting its historical connection with that institution. The company has received national recognition, including the 2003 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. Time magazine identified it as the leading theatre for children in the United States in a 2004 issue. Its artistic influence extends beyond its own productions. In 1998, it established a new-play laboratory supporting playwrights, composers, designers, and directors; the laboratory has developed more than 200 new plays, many of which received their world premieres at CTC. Some productions have moved into larger commercial or institutional venues. A Year with Frog and Toad transferred to Broadway and received three Tony Award nominations. CTC also operates Plays for New Audiences, a script-licensing division launched in 2004. The division distributes plays and musicals created or curated by theatres serving young and multigenerational audiences, making work available to professional and amateur theatres, schools, libraries, churches, and other organizations. The company has faced serious historical scrutiny because its founder and former artistic leader John Clark Donahue pleaded guilty in 1984 to sexually abusing three male minor students. Later civil litigation alleged abuse by Donahue and former actor Jason McLean. In 2019, CTC announced settlements of 16 lawsuits and approved a $500,000 contribution to a survivors fund requested by the survivors. The organization continues to operate as an active nonprofit theatre while its institutional history includes both substantial artistic achievements and the need to acknowledge this abuse legacy.
History
Children's Theatre Company developed from The Moppet Players, a Minneapolis troupe associated with John Clark Donahue and Beth Leinerson in the early 1960s. The group operated in modest donated spaces, including a restaurant and later an abandoned fire station obtained after its affiliation with the Pillsbury-Waite Settlement House. In 1965, the organization became the education department of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. That institutional arrangement ended in 1975, when the theatre became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The company's artistic model centered on professional theatre made specifically for children and families. Its repertory included adaptations of well-known books, fairy tales, and popular stories alongside original writing and commissioned work. Adult and young-adult performers appeared in its productions, allowing the company to address children without limiting its work to child performers or simplified theatrical forms. A major leadership transition occurred in 1984. Founder John Clark Donahue pleaded guilty to sexually abusing three male minor students, received a one-year prison sentence and 15 years of probation, and was required to sever his involvement with the theatre. Jon Cranny became the company's second artistic director and served through 1997. Peter C. Brosius then became artistic director and held the position for more than two decades, the longest tenure in the company's history. During Brosius's leadership, CTC expanded its role as a producer and incubator of new work. In 1998 it established a new-play laboratory involving writers, composers, designers, and directors. The laboratory subsequently developed more than 200 plays, with many receiving their first productions at CTC. The company formed relationships with producers and institutions including Kevin McCollum, Buena Vista Theatricals, Universal Theatrical Group, The Old Globe, New Victory Theater, Alliance Theatre, and Arena Stage. The theatre's physical infrastructure also grew substantially. Architect Michael Graves designed a 2003 expansion that nearly doubled production-shop space and added the Cargill Stage and lobby areas. CTC now operates the 747-seat UnitedHealth Group Stage and the flexible Cargill Stage, which seats up to approximately 300. Its location near the Minneapolis Institute of Arts preserves a connection to the institution that hosted its educational work during the company's formative period. Several CTC productions achieved broader recognition. A Year with Frog and Toad transferred to Broadway, where it completed a run at the Cort Theatre in 2003 and received three Tony Award nominations. The company later co-developed Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical with Jeff Kinney, Kevin McCollum, and Buena Vista Theatrical; the musical premiered at CTC in 2016 and was produced again in 2022. In 2023, CTC premiered An American Tail the Musical with Universal Theatrical Group. CTC's influence also extends through Plays for New Audiences, a licensing division launched in 2004. It distributes scripts and musicals developed or curated by theatres serving young audiences, including work connected with CTC, Seattle Children's Theatre, Chicago Children's Theatre, and Imagination Stage. In 2021, the theatre became part of Generation Now, a multi-organization commissioning initiative supported by a $1.5 million Andrew W. Mellon Foundation grant. The program aims to expand the range of multigenerational theatre by supporting writers from historically underrepresented communities. The institution's history includes a serious abuse scandal. Former students filed civil lawsuits in 2015 alleging abuse by Donahue and former actor Jason McLean, with later claims brought under Minnesota's Child Victims Act. CTC announced in 2019 that it had settled 16 lawsuits and would contribute $500,000 to a survivors fund. Donahue died of cancer in March 2019. The company remains an active Minneapolis nonprofit theatre under artistic director Rick Dildine and managing director Ryan French.
- 2023
An American Tail the Musical premieres
[1]CTC presents the world premiere of a musical based on the animated film in partnership with Universal Theatrical Group.
- 2021
Generation Now partnership announced
[1]CTC joins four other theatre organizations in a Mellon-supported program commissioning 16 new plays by Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian American Pacific Islander writers.
- 2016
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical premieres
[1]CTC presents the world premiere of a musical developed with Jeff Kinney, Kevin McCollum, and Buena Vista Theatrical.
- 2004
Plays for New Audiences launches
[1]The company's script-licensing division begins distributing work for young and multigenerational audiences.
- 2003
Expansion and regional-theatre Tony Award
[1]The Michael Graves-designed expansion adds the Cargill Stage and expanded production facilities; CTC also receives the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre.
- 1998
New-play laboratory established
[1]CTC creates a laboratory for developing new plays with writers, composers, designers, and directors.
- 1984
Founder leaves after criminal conviction
[1]John Clark Donahue pleads guilty to sexually abusing three minor students and is required to leave the theatre.
- 1975
Independent nonprofit status
[1]The theatre separates from the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and becomes an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
- 1965
Company becomes part of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts
[1]The organization is established as the education department of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.
- 1961
The Moppet Players begin operating
[1]The troupe that would develop into Children's Theatre Company begins operating in Minneapolis under the leadership associated with John Clark Donahue and Beth Leinerson.
Products and positioning
A nationally recognized nonprofit theatre specializing in ambitious, professionally produced work for young and multigenerational audiences, with a strong emphasis on commissioned writing, literary adaptations, education, and access to new scripts.
Theatre productions · 1965
Mainstage plays and musicals
CTC's principal offering is a season of professionally produced plays and musicals for children, families, and multigenerational audiences. The repertory includes literary adaptations, fairy tales, original stories, and large-scale musical productions. Performers are generally adult and young-adult professionals, and the work is designed to provide substantial theatrical experiences rather than simplified entertainment.
New-play development · 1998
New-play commissions and laboratory productions
Through its new-play laboratory and commissioning activity, CTC develops scripts with playwrights, composers, directors, and designers. The program has supported more than 200 new plays, many of which received world premieres at the theatre before entering wider regional, commercial, or educational circulation.
Script licensing · 2004
Plays for New Audiences
Plays for New Audiences is CTC's licensing division. Its catalogue includes plays and musicals produced, commissioned, or curated by theatres serving young audiences. Licenses are made available to professional and amateur theatres as well as schools, libraries, churches, and other community organizations.
Musical · 2016
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical
A musical adaptation of Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid book series, developed with Children's Theatre Company, Broadway producer Kevin McCollum, Buena Vista Theatrical, and Kinney. The production received its world premiere at CTC in 2016 and returned in a subsequent production in 2022.
Musical
A Year with Frog and Toad
A musical based on Arnold Lobel's Frog and Toad stories that became one of CTC's most prominent outward-facing productions. Its development at the company led to a Broadway transfer, a run at the Cort Theatre in 2003, and three Tony Award nominations.
Musical · 2023
An American Tail the Musical
A new stage musical based on the 1986 animated film An American Tail. Children's Theatre Company developed and premiered the production in 2023 in partnership with Universal Theatrical Group.
Controversies
2019
Settlement of 16 lawsuits and survivors fund
CTC announced settlements covering 16 lawsuits and its board approved a $500,000 contribution to a newly established fund requested by survivors.
2015
Civil lawsuits over historical abuse allegations
Two former students filed civil lawsuits alleging abuse by Donahue and former actor Jason McLean. Further claims were brought under Minnesota's Child Victims Act before the relevant filing window expired in 2016.
1984
Sexual-abuse conviction involving founder
John Clark Donahue, a founder and former artistic leader, pleaded guilty to sexually abusing three male minor students. He received a one-year prison sentence and 15 years of probation and was required to disengage entirely from Children's Theatre Company.
Marketing campaigns
- 2021Generation Now
United States
CTC partnered with Penumbra, Ma-Yi Theater Company, Latino Theater Company, and Native Voices at the Autry to commission and develop 16 new plays by Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian American Pacific Islander writers for multigenerational audiences.
Outcome. The initiative received a $1.5 million grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and was intended to broaden each participating theatre's artistic canon and institutional inclusiveness.
Brand decisions
2019
Settle historical abuse litigationOtherBackground
Former students brought civil claims concerning abuse allegations involving former company personnel.
Action taken
CTC announced settlements of 16 lawsuits and approved a $500,000 contribution to a survivors fund.
Aftermath
The settlements resolved the announced litigation while the institution continued operating and publicly carrying the legacy of the abuse.
Contribution to survivors fund. 500000 USD (2019)
2004
Launch Plays for New AudiencesStrategyBackground
Scripts created for young audiences often needed a distribution channel beyond the originating theatre.
Action taken
CTC established a licensing division for professional and amateur theatres, schools, libraries, churches, and other organizations.
Aftermath
The division broadened access to scripts and musicals developed or curated by theatres serving young audiences.
2003
Expand theatre facilitiesStrategyBackground
The company needed additional production capacity and a flexible performance venue.
Action taken
CTC opened a Michael Graves-designed expansion that nearly doubled production shops and added the Cargill Stage and lobby space.
Aftermath
The organization gained two principal performance spaces: the 747-seat UnitedHealth Group Stage and the approximately 300-seat Cargill Stage.
1998
Create a new-play laboratoryStrategyBackground
CTC sought to strengthen its role as an originator of theatre for young and multigenerational audiences.
Action taken
The company established a laboratory bringing together playwrights, composers, designers, and directors to develop new work.
Aftermath
More than 200 plays were subsequently developed, with many receiving world premieres at CTC.
1975
Become an independent nonprofitStrategyBackground
The theatre had operated as the education department of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts since 1965.
Action taken
CTC separated from the museum and established itself as an independent 501(c)(3) organization.
Aftermath
The change gave the theatre an independent institutional and fundraising structure while preserving its Minneapolis base.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Addie Gorlin-han named Associate Artistic Director at Children's Theatre Company[3]
Reported:
Children's Theatre Company named Addie Gorlin-han as its Associate Artistic Director, as reported by BroadwayWorld.
Sources3 sources
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