According to some historians, the theatrical movement in the Kingdom began in the 1950s when late writer Ahmad Al-Subaie opened Quraish Theater. A number of Saudi writers and men of letters believe the movement only started in the 1970s or the 1980s.

The development of theatrical activities would have been slow, dramatists say, because society was unwilling to accept this kind of work easily. The first plays focused on old Arabic poetry and Arabic culture prevailing before the advent of Islam.

These plays were presented in schools. The theater started to gain more significance with the establishment of literary clubs when some members began to write plays.

The Ministry of Culture and Information has begun to recognize the theater and has extended support to theatrical troupes, dramatists said, but this is still not enough. The dramatists called for more support and recognition and said the theater should not only be considered a school activity.