While the theater world often clings to the mantra that “the show must go on,” prioritizing the well-being of young audiences is the ultimate mandate. Ryan French, who has served as the managing director of Minneapolis’ Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) for the past year, notes that the safety of the children in their care remains the organization’s primary focus.

Even prior to the escalation of federal immigration enforcement activities in early 2026, the theater had proactively developed protocols to handle potential disruptions. “We had established procedures for how to manage inquiries and ensure the security of everyone in our facility,” French explains.

The reality became significantly more difficult in January. Following the tragic shooting deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti by ICE agents in the immediate vicinity of the theater, the organization faced an impossible environment. “When those events occurred just blocks away, it brought the danger to our doorstep,” French says. The theater opted to cancel performances as the neighborhood became inaccessible and the local climate turned volatile.

The ripple effects were immediate. Six performances of the bilingual production Go, Dog. Go! • Ve Perro ¡Ve! were scrapped, and public confidence in visiting the downtown area plummeted. School groups canceled planned field trips, and families avoided the city center, leading to a stark decline in ticket sales that persisted through March, with house occupancy rates dropping to nearly 40%.

Current estimates place the theater’s financial shortfall at $430,000. While French notes that various factors influence attendance, the correlation between the heightened presence of federal agents in the neighborhood and the sudden decline in audience turnout is undeniable.

Looking ahead, the CTC is focusing its efforts on a high-energy, crowd-pleasing production of The Wizard of Oz. While it is mathematically unlikely to fully recoup the season’s losses, the show is currently meeting its revenue targets. French believes the production provides a necessary sense of comfort and escapism.

“We need more humanity, more connection, and less isolation,” French reflects on the season’s conclusion. “There is no better medium than live theater to bring a community back together and remind us of the strength we find in one another.”