The The Newfoundland Drama Society was founded in St. John's in 1950 by a group of theatre lovers, who came from England to mount dramatic productions in Newfoundland. workshops and good times.

Within a year, other groups, particularly in Grand Falls and Corner Brook, expressed interest in joining, and in 1951, the first provincial drama festival was inaugurated under the auspices of the Dominion Drama Festival. 

The Festival has continued each year since that time.

The Festival is usually held during Easter week, and rotates from community to community on the island portion of the province and in Labrador.  It is now one of the major theatre highlights in the provincial arts calendar.

The Society is administered by a volunteer board, representing the nine groups of the province, and an executive committee. These groups are based in Corner Brook, Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador West, Stephenville and three groups in St. John's.

The society's goal is to work in communities to bring live theatre to the people. The name reflects the fundamental belief that all communities should have an opportunity to experience good theatre at a reasonable cost.