Once upon a time, a group of individuals had a great idea. Together, they transferred that idea into a reality, and called it Hamilton Theatre Company. In the Spring of 1956, after rehearsing and working in whatever space could be found, this new kid on the block presented its first show, "SOUTH PACIFIC". In the following four years, the company rehearsed in church basements and built sets in garages and old warehouses in order to bring more Broadway musicals to Hamilton.

In 1960, Hamilton Theatre Company became incorporated as Hamilton Theatre Inc. or HTI At the same time, with the assistance of the City of Hamilton, HTI's headquarter moved from above a restaurant on King Street to the Old Firehall at the corner of Strathcona and Head Streets.

In 1987, after more than 25 years at the Old Fire Hall, HTI's headquarters moved again, this time to its present address on MacNab Street North. Once again, the assistance of the City of Hamilton, as well as a Wintario grant, was instrumental in making the move financially bearable.

Along the way since those early days, HTI has always strived to provide Hamilton's talented citizens with an outlet to present the "Best of Broadway" to the local community. For many of our members, musical theatre is "just" a hobby. Even so, HTI has two raisons d'etre: first, to provide our members with the training that they need if they want to make it in the professional world of theatre, either as performers or as technicians; and second, and as important, to entertain the Hamilton community ... to make them so involved in the show that for two and a half hours they can forget their troubles. When we succeed, then we know all our hard work is worthwhile!