Dubbo Amateur Theatrical Society evolved in 1957 when a group of enthusiasts, mostly from Trinity Players, a very proficient play reading group, wished to enlarge and enrich their repertoire with musicals, dramas and pantomimes.

The first president was Don Wiley and the first production was a revue entitled "Show Business". The play "The Happiest Days Your Life" followed, then a musical "The Chocolate Soldier" - all these in 5 months.

Many of the Trinity Players were the driving force behind DATS - Don and Jackie Wiley, Keith Floyd, Jim and Marcia Gall, Phil Rogers, Ted Drake, Joyce Schneider, Betty Richardson, Gwen Lees, Eleanor Kavanagh, Geoff Matthews, Owen Richardson, Blanche McGrath, Charles Drake, Leon Kirkness, Grace Phillips, Mops Stroud, Biddie Greenwood, Veronica Morgan, Jill Fagg, Phillipa Rayment, Maisie Coomber, John North, Rhoda and Yvonne Trethowan, Bob Scarff and John Ervine, Dot Hardy, Bob Ellis-Flint and Maude Doust. John Doust, DATS longest serving member, took the office of Treasurer in 1958 and held that position until November 1998. Along with John, Sid Ying Sing has been associated with DATS as accountant.

"Jack and the Beanstalk" was the first pantomime and was produced in 1958 by Jackie Wiley who was also the decor specialist. It brought together 3 new members, Vi O'Connor, Max Phipps and Bruce Gordon. Vi and Bruce formed a production team in years to come, whilst Max moved on to movie and stage fame. Grace Phillips had been an early choreographer but Betty Menzies now took that role.

"HMS Pinafore" (1958), "The Ex-Mrs Y" (1958), "Dats It" (1958), "Relative Values" (1959), "We've Got Rhythm" (1959), "Festival Fair" (1960), and many other shows followed, and when the producers Don and Jackie Wiley and Keith Floyd, Jim Gall, Phil Rogers and Joyce Schneider left DATS, Eleanor Kavanagh became the President / Producer and a new nucleus of performers emerged - Colin and Jenny Campbell, Ian Howell, Ailsa Cunningham, Dot Hardy, Betty Menzies, John Thompson, Ruth Barker, Olivia Brown, Gwenda Fisher, Val Redden, Frank Williams, Jim Selkirk, Betty Bolton-Wood, Joy Lang, Bob and Marilyn Carr, Caroline and Brad Pullin, and Rosemary and Gerry Collins.

Some of the shows from this period were "Salad Days" (1962), "Sailor Beware" (1965) starring Ailsa Cunningham, "Deadwood Dick" (1965), "No No Nanette" (1966), and "The House by the Lake" (1966). These shows were all staged at the Roxy Theatre in Church Street to capacity houses.

DATS' venue was still the Roxy Theatre in the early 60's and after "Toad in the Hole" (1961), Colin Campbell passed the Presidency onto Bruce Gordon. DATS now passed through its bleakest period with the introduction of television and after shows such as "Loves a Luxury" (1963), "Is Your Honeymoon Really Necessary" (1964) and "Blithe Spirit" (1967), play readings were continued as part of the Evening College and rehearsals continued to be held at Dubbo High School, thanks to the cooperation of Bill Gleeson and Allan Griffiths, both DATS' patrons.

With the sale of the Roxy Theatre, DATS changed its venue to Wesley House and "Wild Goose Chase" (1969), "Arsenic and Old Lace" (1970), "As Long As They're Happy" (1970), "Doctor in the House" (1971), "Queen of Hearts" (1971), "One Wild Oat" (1972), "Running Riot" (1972), "Night Must Fall" (1972), "Aladdin" (1972), and "The Man Who Came To Dinner" (1974), were produced. DATS welcomed Eddie Whyfoon to its membership during its association with Wesley House and he has remained one of DATS greatest assets. The Dubbo Jazz Band - Steve Jewell, Ron Allan and Neville Smith, assisted by Ian Locke (who played drums for every DATS show until his death), provided the music for many of the forthcoming shows.

A very strong and independent company, the Bull 'n' Bush had been very active in Dubbo, its foundation members being Vi O'Conner, Owen Richardson, Gwen Crampton, Margaret Gilbert, David Davis, Jim Oriel, Bob Scarf, Darrel Innes, Nina Stevens, and its musical director Irene Baine. Many DATS performers became active in these shows and with the departure of many of the original group, the companies merged.

The effect of television on audience numbers had been disastrous, but audiences soon began to return to the theatre and there was a new influx of talent with the arrival of David Godfrey, Michael Gibson, Cheryl Jacobsen, Hope Hardy, Marlene Szepsy, Bob Williams, Don Noble, Bernard Pryor, Sharon Simmons, Davis Flint, Tony Currey, David ferguson, Terry and Carole Mitchell, Chris Muir, Bruce Gray, Terri Sleigh, Lee Cooper, Ken Caines and Jack and Robyn Rheinberger, so DATS was able to produce musicals once more, especially as they could call on talent from the Bull 'n' Bush team. During this period DATS had moved their props from the storage at No. 1 oval to the RAAF but a permanent repository was not yet available.

With Vi O'Connor's drive and Ian Bates' musical expertise, DATS was soon presenting shows such as "Annie Get Your Gun" (1973), "Call Me Madam" (1975), "Can Can" (1976), "My Fair Lady" (1977) "The Sound of Music" (1977), "Oklahoma" (1981), and "Sweeny Todd" (1981). Bob Williams was in charge of decor and various choreographers worked over this period. John and Isobel Morgan, Judy Whyfoon and John Doust became responsible for Front of House. Ray Wellington and Terry Stain became Stage Managers, Tony Currey assisted with or designed costumes with Vi O'Conner, Ailsa Cunningham became a "permanent" secretary assisted by Sandra Yates and Betty Orth created the costumes designed by Vi O'Connor, while Mops Stroud continued the tradition of Ted Drake as makeup expert, assisted by her troupe Biddie Greenwood, Maisie Coomber, Betty Stroud, Di Logan, Sue Kerrin and Phil Barwick.

Jack Rheinberger now became a dominating influence in DATS and volunteered to produce "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum". Brian Haisman began his long tenure as pianist and later musical director when Ian Bates moved to Ulladulla. Jack and Ian decided it was time for DATS to have its own workshop and began planning. A block of land in White St was obtained but swapped for 14 Aspen Road, a more suitable site. By 1994 the complex was officially opened thanks to the tradesfolk and civic minded citizens. Jack's dream had been completed - a major DATS achievement.

A definite change was taking place in the 80's. Val Semple took over decor, Phil Barwick and Colleen Mawbey design and makeup, and Vicki Aland choreography, David McIntosh became DATS' panto comic and Tracey Case, Tamara Pooley and many other students from Dubbo South High School began to appear in shows. Susie North, long associated with Wesley players became the leading lady and another nucleus of performers emerged - Jenny Gordon, Chris Bray, Evol Hatton, Cilla Ryan, John Montgomery, Deborah Sullivan, Carla Banks, Greg Markwick, Warwick Mann, Ian Perkins, Roger Craig, Robert Lloyd, Mel Pock and Michael Hodges. Kevin Young became DATS' musical director, assisted by Lyndal Brown and Jacinta Lanskey.

Many of our successful shows were repeated during this time - "Annie Get Your Gun" (1986) [ a young Tracey Case learned the score in less than a week], "Oliver" (1987), "Annie" (1985 & 1991), "Sound of Music" (1992), and"Oklahoma" (1993). "The King and I" (1994) with Susie North and Greg Markwick was a smash hit, "Mary Pops In" (1994), "The Misused Mill Girl" (1995), "My Fair Lady" (1995), and "The Wizard of Oz" (1995) were all popular. "Cinders - An Adult Fairytale" (1996) was followed by a positively popular "Me and My Girl" (1996).

Chris Bray began producing shows in the mid 90's, beginning with a pantomime. As usual the Dubbo Ballet School, formerly Joyce Schneider School of Ballet, provided the fairies, demons, scarecrows etc. required, adding a richness to the shows, as they have done for 30 years.

In the mid 90's Arthur Thompson took over set construction, Rhonda Kerr, Mel Pocknall and Warwick Mann sound; Vicki Aland continued with choreography, assisted by Megan Morrison and Merv Allis became the new musical director. Steven Jewell, the resident pianist was now assisted by Greg Barker, Merv Allis and 'friends' - the friends being all those who form the orchestra for big or small productions. Deborah Sullivan became the costume 'wizard', with the guiding hands of Phil Barwick, and assisted by Deborah Nowland, and their work was highly commended after 1997's first production "Ma Bakers Tonic". Eddie Whyfoon was still lighting the shows, and Evol Hatton had a taste of show production.

On the 16th October 1996, DATS became an Incorporated Company, and from that moment was to be known as Dubbo Theatre Company Inc.