The Dailes Theatre was opened for the first time on November 19, 1920. Rainis' tragedy "Indulis and Arija" was presented to the public. The leading role was acted by the talented actor, artistic director and theater's founder Eduards Smilgis. Already in the first play staged in the theater its adherence to theatricality and ethnography was distinctly seen. Since 1929 the repertoire included not only classical and modern plays but musicals as well.

    In 1963 the artistic leadership of the theatre was undertaken by director and playwright Peteris Petersons. In this period the repertoire of the theater was enriched by such plays as Night and Fire by Rainis, the poetic composition Motorcycle, based on Latvian poet Imants Ziedonis's work, and Dostoyevski's "The Idiot".

    One of the central themes of all stagings was the conflict between an artist and faceless crowd. In 1971, Arnolds Linins became chief director of the theatre, staging such important productions as Shakespeare's Richard III, Ibsen's Brandt, Rainis Jazeps un vina brali (Joseph and His Brothers), Ferdinand Bruckner's Elizabeth, the Queen of England, musical play by Rudolfs Blaumanis Isa pamaciba milesana (A Short Course in Love). In the autumn of 1987, Karlis Auskaps, the student and follower of Arnolds Linins, took over as artistic director of the Daile Theatre. The philosophic plays staged under his direction became important events in the theatrical life. One should name "Muzibas skartie" (Touched by Eternity), by the Latvian author Aleksandrs Caks, "When We Dead Awaken" by Ibsen, "Der Steppenwolf" by Hesse.

    Since September 16, 2002 the artistic director of the theater has been Michail Grusdov. Nowadays the Daile Theate is one of the most successful theaters in the country. It can be proved not only by the popularity of the theater among Rigaers and guests of the city, but also by the numerous awards at different theatrical festivals. The troupe tours a lot and the theater-goers in the United States, Canada, Poland, Finland, Sweden, Germany and Australia are acquainted with the repertoire of the theater. The Daile Theatre is also distinguished by the fact that it is the only major theatre in Latvia to present regular productions of modern foreign plays.