Nizhny Novgorod Drama Theater was founded at the end of the 18th century and it is one of the oldest drama theaters in Russia. The first play was staged by the work of famous Russian writer D. Fonvizin. At first, the theater company included peasant serfs who played there. The first building of the theatre was neither beautiful nor elegant and was described as a “gloomy and clumsy building.” However, after numerous reconstructions the theater acquired a splendid exterior we know today.