After the liberation of Niš from the Turks, theatre art lovers founded the Travelling Theatre „Sinđelić” troupe which had its first premiere on 11th March 1887. under the name of „Serbian Hajduks“, by Jovan Sterija Popović, in the elite café „Europe“. Mihajlo Dimić was the first manager of the theatre. On January the first 1939, was performed the first play called „Building of Ravanica Monastery or Endowment of Emperor Lazar“, by author Milorad Popović šapčanin, and director Dragoslav Kandić. An important place in the development of theatrical art belongs to Milorad Petrović, Stevan Sremac, Stevan Nikšić Lala, Henrih Liler, Đorđe - Đoka Protić and špira Kalik.
The golden creative period of the National Theatre is connected to Ljubiša Ružić (1954 - 1964), its manager, and Bora Trajković, manager’s assistant, acting manager secretary.
The theatre’s stage gave birth to the first modern Serbian actors, directors, scenographers, costume designers... Most performances had the following plays: „Ivko’s Feast“, author S. Sremac, director and dramaturge Dušan Životić (1957), „Zona Zamfirova“, author S. Sremac, director Ljuba Milošević (1976), „Jovča“, author B. Stanković, director Jovan Putnik (1975), „Autobiography“, author B. Nušić, director Aleksandar - Saša Glovacki...
For 125 years, the number of awards is impressing: for acting achievements, we single out two from „Sterija pozorje“ given to Dragan Žikić and Živko Vukojević; at the Yugoslav Theatre Festival, in Užice - Verica Jovanović („Ardalion”); at the Comedy Days in Jagodina („Turkey - cock”): Vasja Stanković, Đorđe Vukotić, Sanja Krstović. More than 200 awards were won At the Gatherings of Professional Theatres of Serbia „Joakim Vujić“. We won 8 awards (in 2008. and 2011.) at the International Festival „Joakim Fest“ in Kragujevac. Audiences in Poland, Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, Russia, Albania, as well as in all former Yugoslavia republics saw our plays. Biljana Vujović is at present at the head of the institution. She has established the „Glum Bal” Festival, the First Balkan Theatre Festival dedicated to the best theatrical and acting achievements.
We last 125 years but each day we feel younger!
