Darwin Theatre Company was established in 1957 by a group of interested community members with a love of theatre. The vision for Darwin Theatre Group, as it was originally known from inception was an ensemble as a break away from the Darwin Amateur Musical Society, an amateur theatre company dedicated to producing contemporary text based works.

Since that time DTC has grown into a locally and nationally funded organisation with a reputation for producing high quality theatre productions. The Company has produced extraordinarily diverse theatre with an ongoing commitment to featuring local writers such as Sandra Thibodeaux, Simon Hopkinson, Harry Harris, Suzanne Spunner, Stephen Carleton, Gail Evans and Tania Lieman. DTC has premiered a number of new works from both local and national playwrights. This has been balanced with work from the classical repertoire. Theatre in education is a key priority of DTC with regular schools tours and performances.

The Company has established a tradition of making innovative use of a range of venues, such as Fannie Bay Gaol, the Old Town Hall Ruins, the East Point gun turret, the Powerhouse Arena and the Botanic Gardens Amphitheatre, as well as the more traditional theatre spaces, including Browns Mart Community Theatre and the Darwin Entertainment Centre.

From 1998, DTC began a transition from repertory company to a company that commissions and performs new and regionally distinctive works. Collaborating with smaller local companies and artists to produce high quality works while continuing to meet the varied needs of the community has enhanced DTC's reputation. Local links have been strengthened as have links with community and cultural groups, performance venues and funding bodies. The recent change in the artistic directorship of the Company, and ongoing staff commitment, coinciding with the adoption of this business plan, means that DTC is well placed to implement the plan and imbed the values of creativity, relevance, excellence and excitement into all its productions, programs and services over the next three years.