Bill and Jane Glassco founded Tarragon Theatre in 1970.  Bill Glassco was the Artistic Director from 1971 to 1982.  In 1982, Urjo Kareda took over as Artistic Director and remained in that role until his death in December 2001.  Richard Rose was appointed Artistic Director in July 2002, and Camilla Holland was appointed General Manager in July 2006.   

In 1987, Tarragon purchased and renovated the building that has been its home since 1971. There are two playing spaces: Mainspace (205 seats), The Extra Space (100 seats). Both have flexible seating. The Tarragon Studio has three rehearsal halls, one of which can be converted to a 60 seat performance space. We also have a carpentry shop, a wardrobe shop, a prop shop, and four offices for playwrights-in-residence.

Tarragon is well known for its development, creation and encouragement of new work.  Over 170 works have premiered at Tarragon.  Playwrights who have premiered their work here include Morwyn Brebner, David French, Michael Healey, Joan MacLeod, Morris Panych, James Reaney, Jason Sherman and Judith Thompson among many others.  Emerging playwrights who consider the Tarragon their creative home include Brendan Gall, Rosa Laborde and Hannah Moscovitch. The theatre has been a pioneer in presenting Quebeçois plays in translation, notably works by Michel Tremblay and Carole Fréchette.