Novgorod Academic Drama Theatre named after F. Dostoevsky has been mentioned in the documents since 1853 when thanks to Nikolay Ivanov, a well-known in the mid 19th c. impresario, a room of a merchant's house was specially re-equipped and re-designed a la theatre and regular pay performances were held over there during the whole season. The most well-known actors and actresses used to gather together in the troupe, quite often even «theatre stars» from the capital played in the performances.

In 1987 the theatre moved into a new building, built by an architect Somov according to a project of HYPOTHEATRE. Since then it has hosted the Novgorod drama theatre for over 20 years. There is a stage with a total area of 694 square meters, 2 rehearsal halls, an auditorium seating people of 850, equipped with modern sound and light devices, computer and remote control; the stage is equipped with a round and ring with reverse gear. All these help guest tropes to perform with success, to hold unique corporate celebrations. The foyer is perfect for holding any presentations and art exhibitions. There are various games and fun held just before morning performances and during New Year juvenile celebrations.

Since 1997 the Novgorod drama theatre has been named after Feodor M. Dostoevsky as both the great Russian writer used to stay in the land of Novgorod and the theatre keeps presenting his literary heritage that actors and audience are interested in till these very days.
In 1999 the Novgorod drama theatre was given the rank of «academic». Talented artists and producers as staff, high technological equipment inspire the theatre to set real artistic tasks. Forming the theatre repertoire on the basis of Russian drama and ones of foreign classics helps the theatre unveils its great potential.

The theatre keeps taking part in international and all-Russian festivals. Reiterate participating and winning International festival of Chamber music by Dostoevsky's that is usually held in the writer's estate in Staraya Russa. The theatre has won the International Theatre Festival of historical plays «Voices of History» held in Vologda; the theatre has won twice the contest «Window to Russia« for provincial theatres of the Russian Federation, held by the «Culture» newspaper, under the nomination The Theatre of the Year; it has also won the most well-known in the world Avignon Festival. One of the most recent successes are: prizes at the Festival Meetings on Arbat (Moscow) and the Second all-Russian Festival named after N. Rybakov (Tambov).

The theatre troupe includes experienced and young actors and actresses, the graduates from various theatres of the country. Mixing experience, creativeness and enthusiasm the troupe keeps succeeding in artistic development and is never ever satisfied with what has already been achieved.

These days the Novgorod academic drama theatre named after F.M. Dostoevsky with the chequered past and thoroughly kept historical traditions is of a great importance for the present cultural and spiritual life of the city and the region as a whole.