Children’s Theatre Company (CTC), long recognized for inspiring young people through the power of performance, is expanding its impact beyond the stage with the launch of The CTC Lab, a new professional development initiative designed to help organizations strengthen communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.
Announced in Minneapolis, The CTC Lab builds on the theater company’s decades-long experience using theatrical techniques to foster confidence, empathy, creativity, and self-expression. Now, those same tools are being adapted for workplaces seeking innovative ways to develop stronger teams and more effective leaders.
“Theatre has always been about more than performance,” said Ann Joseph-Douglas, Director of Education at CTC. “At its heart, it is about connection, empathy, and understanding others. The CTC Lab allows us to share those values in a new way, helping people bring greater clarity, creativity, and collaboration into their everyday work.”
The new program offers interactive workshops that encourage participants to actively practice essential workplace skills, including listening, adaptability, storytelling, teamwork, and conflict resolution. Rather than relying on traditional lecture-style training, The CTC Lab uses hands-on exercises, role-playing, and guided reflection to help participants develop practical skills they can immediately apply in professional settings.
The initiative was piloted in 2025 with employees from Deloitte and 3M, generating enthusiastic feedback from participants.
Many praised the workshops for creating a fun and engaging environment that encouraged team members to step outside their comfort zones while reinforcing important communication skills.
One participant described the experience as “a nice ice breaker and way to engage each other,” while another highlighted the value of role-playing workplace scenarios and discussing communication strategies as a group.
The CTC Lab offers a variety of formats tailored to organizational needs. Companies can choose from 60- to 90-minute workshops focused on specific skills, half-day or full-day sessions for deeper learning, or multi-day residencies designed to create lasting organizational impact.
Among the featured programs is the Communication Lab, which focuses on navigating difficult conversations with empathy, clarity, and confidence. Another offering, the Professional Presence Lab, helps participants improve presentation skills and strengthen their ability to communicate ideas effectively in professional environments.
According to CTC, the workshops are designed to be highly interactive, blending instruction with movement, collaboration, and real-world application.
Participants can expect to “move, laugh, learn, and leave with practical tools” they can immediately use in the workplace.
As organizations increasingly seek innovative approaches to employee development, The CTC Lab demonstrates how skills traditionally associated with the arts can play a meaningful role in business success. By bringing the principles of theatre into corporate settings, Children’s Theatre Company is creating new opportunities for individuals and teams to communicate more effectively, build stronger relationships, and lead with empathy.