History

The Nanaimo Theatre Group began in 1961 from the hopes of three local theatre buffs, Roger and Barbara Desprez and Geoff Rogers. The call was put out and over 30 people responded- enough to cast our first production, Separate Tables. For the first three years the output was one full-length play per year, and for the next four years the group went through spurts of activity and dry spells.

A big step forward was taken in 1969 with the decision to stage a major musical, My Fair Lady. In 1971 another step forward was to purchase a tiny building on Rosstown Road with a substantial parcel of land. By 1975 NTG had expanded this with the addition of a larger studio, which has now evolved into our present 172-seat theatre space with good acoustics, good sight lines, comfortable seating, professional sound and lighting equipment, paved parking and handicapped access. There is lots of costume storage area and an adjoining workshop has been added. 

The Bailey Studio is named after Mrs. Ivy Bailey, a member and ardent supporter of the Nanaimo Theatre Group since 1961.