Founded on July 24, 1949, the organisation was initially named the China National Theatre Workers Association.

In 1981, it joined the International Association of Artists and founded the Chinese Center.

On 30 June 2005, Plum blossom Award Art Troupe was set up.

On 16 July 2015, Pu Cunxin was chosen as its Chair in the Eighth National Congress of China Theatre Association.

It comprises the Plum Blossom Prize for stage performance (founded in 1983) and the Cao Yu Theater Award for writing (founded in 1981).