Fondo F 701 - Globe Theatre fonds

The Globe Theatre was established in 1966 in Regina, Saskatchewan by Kenneth and Sue (Richmond) Kramer as Saskatchewan's first professional educational theatre company. The Kramers moved to Regina from Edmonton, Alberta at the request of the Saskatchewan Arts Board, which provided them with a grant to establish a professional educational theatre company. In addition to a touring company that performed for school audiences around the province, the Globe Theatre expanded to produce plays for adult audiences. By 1972, the Globe Theatre offered the touring company, as well as a full-subscription theatre in-the-round.

The Globe Theatre Society was incorporated by the Government of Saskatchewan as a non-profit corporation on September 4, 1969. Its mandate was to promote professional theatre in Saskatchewan, and particularly to support the Globe Theatre company and its productions. Its board of directors was comprised of: a president; past-president; secretary; treasurer; and no more than ten members-at-large. Membership to the Society consisted of two classes: active and honorary. Membership fees for active members at the time of incorporation was one dollar per year. The Society also registered with the federal Department of National Revenue as a registered Canadian charitable organization on January 1, 1970.

Globe Theatre Productions Limited was incorporated with the Government of Saskatchewan as a business corporation on June 30, 1972. Its mandate was the production of professional and educational theatre. At its incorporation, Kenneth and Sue Kramer were appointed directors, with Kenneth Kramer being sole director after the death of Sue Kramer in 1978. A formal agreement was established on September 28, 1972 between Globe Theatre Productions Limited and The Globe Theatre Society wherein the production company would retain artistic control of the Globe's productions, and the Society would be responsible for the management of the theatre's property, finances and fundraising endeavours. This agreement held until 1990 upon the resignation of Kenneth Kramer and the dissolution of Globe Theatre Productions Limited on July 5th of that year.

Since 1990, The Globe Theatre Society has been responsible for the governance and operations of the theatre and its company. Its board, comprised of no less than 11 and no more than 25 directors, includes an audit committee, a nominating committee, and an executive committee consisting of a chair, vice-chair, past-chair and secretary. The theatre's artistic director is selected by and reports to the board while standing as an ex officio member. Artistic directors appointed in this structure were Susan Ferley (1990-1998) and Ruth Smillie (1998-present).

During Ferley's tenure as artistic director, the Globe reduced its touring of educational productions due to financial constraints. It did, however, establish a satellite series for works of new and emerging playwrights, and continued a summer drama program for teens (previously instructed by Globe staff as part of the then-defunct Saskatchewan Summer School of the Arts). Also during Ferley's tenure, the Globe Theatre received royal patronage of His Royal Highness The Prince Edward in 1992. Upon Smillie's appointment as artistic director in 1998, the touring company was eliminated, again due to financial constraints. The satellite series grew to become the Shumiatcher Sandbox series. As well, the Globe took on various capital expansion and renovation projects, some of which accommodated the establishment of the Globe Theatre School in 2006. The School offers year-round drama education programmes for children and adults. Currently (2014), the Globe Theatre is Saskatchewan's largest professional theatre company and offers Canada's only permanent theatre in-the-round.

Throughout its history, the Globe Theatre's permanent theatre and/or administrative offices have been located at various venues around Regina, including: Saskatchewan House (now known as Government House, 1966-1969); the Regina Public Library main branch (1969-1970); the Jubilee Theatre of the Saskatchewan Centre of the Arts (now Conexus Arts Centre, 1970-1973); the Merchant's Bank of Canada Building (1973-1979); the Trianon Ballroom (temporarily, ca. 1979-1980); and the Old City Hall (now the Prince Edward Building) at 1801 Scarth Street (1980-present).