The first performance in Ruse took place on 27th of December 1870. At the time, directed by leading Ruse-based Bulgarian National Revival figure Todor Hadjistantchev, was presented The Tale of Ruzhitsa - an adaptation made by Hadjistantchev himself after the eponymous novel by Christoph von Schmid. The performance was staged by the choral society of the church, conducted by Todor Hadjistantchev, in the hall of then popular hotel Islyah-Hane. In the following years, other popular plays of the period were staged, including Much-Suffering Genevieve, Malakova by P. R. Slaveykov, A Misunderstood Civilisation by Dobri Voynikov, and others. The performers in these early productions included notable Bulgarian revolutionaries who lived in Ruse — Toma Kardzhiev, Nikola Obretenov and Georgi Ikonomov.

Women also appeared in these performances: Mariola Hadjistancheva (the first woman actress in pre-Liberation Bulgaria)Petrana Obretenova, close to Levski and Hristo Botev, to the talented actress Todorka Bakardzhieva, known as “The Long-Haired” who played at Voynikov’s emigrant theatre, to even Baba Tonka Obretenova. These early theatrical productions in Ruse were marked by the strong Revival-era revolutionary spirit characteristic of the Bulgarian National Revival. By the end of the 19th century, the city’s lively theater scene was influenced by various societies. These included the First Bulgarian Theatre Society in Ruschuk (1879), the “Iskra” Benevolent Society (1880), the Bulgarian Theatre and Music Society “Lyra” (1891), and the Ruse Theatre Circle “Victor Hugo” (1898). The Revival-era cultural center Chitalishte Zora also played a key role in this development.

From 1902 onwards, the impressive Revenue Building (Dohodno Zdanie) became the main venue for performances. In 1907, after much discussion, Ruse theater practitioners came together to create the Municipal Theatre of Ruse. Alexander Robertovich, part of Matey Ikonomov’s famous Modern Theatre troupe, took on the role of artistic director. A committee of notable locals was formed, and the Municipality began to support theatrical activities financially. During the 1910/1911 season, the esteemed Bulgarian actress Roza Popova was appointed as the theater’s first director. She helped speed up the professionalization of the troupe. Under her guidance, the theater staged works like “The Lady of the Camellias” by Alexandre Dumas fils, “The Vampire” by Anton Strashimirov, “Catastrophe” by Maria Grazia, and “Epidemic” by I. M. Rassudov. Roza Popova took on leading female roles alongside actors such as Zhivko Ojakov, Vasil Gendov, Sava Stoyanov, Todor Obreshkov, Pavlina Obreshkova, and Parashkev Kozhuharov. This period marked the start of a vibrant professional life for the Ruse troupe.
On 9 April 1942, a decree from Tsar Boris III declared the theater a State Theatre. Since then, it has been funded by the Ministry of Culture, a status it still holds.
Throughout its history, the Ruse Theatre has showcased productions that leave a significant impact on Bulgarian culture. A landmark achievement was the staging of a trilogy of plays by Nobel Prize winner Elias Canetti, who was born in Ruse in 1905. This trilogy included Wedding (1992), Comedy of Vanity (1994), and The Numbered (2003), which unfolded over 11 years (1992–2003).