1960-1972
Manitoba Theatre School is founded and run by the Manitoba Theatre Centre.
1972
Manitoba Theatre School is closed and the Manitoba Theatre Workshop is founded by concerned students, teachers and community members, spearheaded by Colin Jackson and Charles Huband.
1973
Manitoba Theatre Workshop officially opens its doors in the old Grain Exchange Building, renovated by volunteers. The objectives of Manitoba Theatre Workshop expands on those of the Manitoba Theatre School to include people of all ages and levels of sophistication.
1973 - 1981
Manitoba Theatre Workshop supports and develops creative expression in the community though its school, its outreach program and its theatre. It helps and encourages local playwrights and performers, and moves continuously towards becoming a theatre resource centre.
1981
The name changed to Prairie Theatre Exchange to reflect the increased focus on professional productions and the establishment of a regular theatre season, under the Artistic Direction of Gordon McCall.
1981 on
Prairie Theatre Exchange furthers its objectives in all areas and grows at a remarkable pace. With growth in all areas, need for expansion and re-housing emerges.
1983
Kim McCaw joins PTE as the new Artistic Director and Prairie Theatre Exchange introduced subscriptions for its three-play adult season. 200 subscriptions sold.
1985-86
Subscriptions top 3500.
1987
Prairie Theatre Exchange outgrows its facilities. Announces that it will build a new home in the heart of downtown in Portage Place.
1989 March
Construction begins on the Portage Place site.
1989, October 12
The first public performance in the new Portage Place site takes place – The Village of Idiots by John Lazarus. Subscriptions exceed 6,000. PTE re-dedicates itself to becoming the finest possible theatre by and for the Prairie region.
1991
Michael Springate takes over the helm as Artistic Director.
1995
Allen MacInnis replaces Michael Springate.
2001 August
Prairie Theatre Exchange performs overseas for the first time, after receiving an invitation to bring take fareWel, the award-winning play by local First Nations playwright Ian Ross, to the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The all-aboriginal cast was received warmly by the largest theatre festival in the world.
2002 October
PTE announces the appointment of a new Artistic Director for the 2003-04 season, Robert Metcalfe, and kicks off its 30th anniversary season.
2004 May
The inaugural Carol Shields Festival of New Works is launched, featuring staged readings of 21 new plays by 19 Canadian playwrights, most of whom are local.
2007 March
The Playwrights Unit is established with seven local playwrights, both experienced and emerging, who will use PTE as a base and resource during the next 18 months while they work on current projects.
2007 April
The total number of plays presented since 1973 has reached 278, 131 of which were original works.
2008 January
Winnipeg playwright Bruce McManus premieres his sixth new play for PTE, which is the 132nd new play since PTE’s inception.
