The Phoenix Little Theatre was founded by Harry Behn and Maie Bartlett Heard (who also founded the Heard Museum) as the Phoenix Players in 1920—joining into the Little Theatre Movement of that time.

[2] Four years later, it moved into the Heard family's coach house at Central and McDowell Roads.

[3][1] In 1928, the theatre applied for its articles of incorporation and by its eighth season boasted 424 members.

By 1940, the theatre had close to 1,000 members and remained operational throughout World War II.

In 2019, the organization was renamed officially as The Phoenix Theatre Company.