TheatreOne was first incorporated as Shakespeare Plus, opening its doors to the public on July 4, 1984. Its purpose was to bring Shakespearean plays to the people in Nanaimo and the surrounding areas.

In the 1987-88 season, the Board of Directors decided to concentrate on promoting the history and heritage of the West Coast. Shakespeare Plus made a transformation, becoming the Nanaimo Festival Heritage Theatre Society, with a mandate to present an annual theatre festival. In 1996 the society moved from a summer to a fall season to better serve its primary supporters, the residents of central Vancouver Island. It was also at this time the company realized the need to change the name since it was no longer a theatre festival but a regional theatre company - thereby creating TheatreOne.

With demonstrated community interest and support, TheatreOne has over the years, introduced a script development program, dedicated to promoting and producing original Canadian works. In the fall of 1993, TheatreOne initiated a Theatre In Education program as part of its commitment to the cultural development of this region. JUST KIDDING, TheatreOne's Children's Entertainment Series, was launched in 1995.  Presenting performances from Canadian Theatre Companies specializing in theatre for youngsters, the series is aimed at kids aged 5 - 12, introducing them to the wonder and magic of live theatre. Beginning in 1996 TheatreOne created a series of VARIETY performances, including musicals, concerts and comedy cabarets, as a way of attracting new audiences. We have been extremely proud to present such notables as Diana Krall, John McDermott, TAPESTRY and Murray McLaughlan, Kate & Anna McGarrigle and The Royal Winnipeg Ballet.  TheatreOne's FRINGE FLICKS Series, presenting 12 independent and foreign films from film festivals around the globe, began in 1999 with one screening and has grown to three screenings and a subscriber base of 400 patrons. 

TheatreOne continues to provide a venue for professional artists, particularly those from British Columbia, to practice their craft, thereby enhancing the quality of life in Nanaimo by encouraging social interaction and by developing Nanaimo's culture and its economy. Our MAINSTAGE productions remain a focal point for the company. TheatreOne is proud to bring these professional theatrical productions to our audience at The Port Theatre - Nanaimo's state of the art 800 seat performing arts facility.  We are here because we, and Nanaimo, love theatre - and we enjoy fulfilling our goal to continue providing audiences with the high standard of excellence we have become known for.

As Nanaimo's Own Professional Theatre Company, TheatreOne is a registered not-for-profit charitable organization and a member of the  Professional Association of Canadian Theatre. TheatreOne engages actors who are members of the Canadian Actor's Equity Association under the terms of the Canadian Theatre Agreement.