The Academic Kazakh Drama Theater named after Makhambet was founded on March 5, 1938 by the decision of the People’s Commissariat. Some artists graduated from the one-year course at the theater studio at the “Neftyinik” club in Guryev (among them Kuat Tulekov, Shashty Zhumabekova, Aitzhan Esenbayev, Onai Zhaksybaev, Kurmangali Dogalakov, Maria Turalieva, Balym Esenbaeva, Kaiyrzhan Imashev, Mendesh Esenbaev and others) the drama theater in Kyzylzhar (Petropavlovsk) was connected with the Guryev theater. In that way, the curtain of the first stage was opened to the public with the performance of Mukhtar Auezov “Tungi Saryn”. After that, introducing the artists to the public, “Amangeldy” by G.Musrepov, “Aiman-Sholpan” by M.Auezov, “The Trick of Scanning” by Moliere, “Inspector” by Gogol, “One Servant to Two Masters” by Gogol were presented and their creative directions were determined. During the Great Patriotic War, (25) men were sent and, despite this, divided into three brigades headed by Zaripa Sulimenova, Alma Akhmetova, Zhamil Ibragimova, they showed excerpts from previous performances on collective farms-state farms, in regional centers, in oil fields, fishermen and thus raised the spirit of the people.
In the post-war years, in order to improve the quality of theatrical and dramatic art and increase the creative potential in 1948, the Kazakh Theater of Musical Comedy in the city of Ural joined Guryev. From the theater T. Ergaliev, Sh. Orazgaliev, A. Akzharova, K. Zhumaeva young talents A. Aitkaliev, K. Imangaliev, G. Umbetov, the chief director of the theater N.V. Molchanov and other employees, together with the theater staff, became the “Guryev Music and Drama Theater”. Since that time, musical dramas began to appear on the stage, operettas such as: “Altyn Sakhasy” by M. Akinzhanov, “Inspector General” by Gogol, “Wedding in Malinovka” by Tipota, “Kyz Zhibek” and “Er Targyn” by G. Musrepov, operettas “Roz Maria ”,“ Shaggy Sea ”.
The theater staff has achieved significant success in the process of many years of training on the way to improve their skills. The performances “Abai”, “Wedding”, “Amangeldy”, “Asauga Tusau”, “Ybyray Altynsarin”, “Abai” staged in 1950-1960 made a great contribution to the skill of the actors.
In 1956-1957, a graduate of the Tashkent Theater Institute, the chief director of the theater T. Duysebaev with the play “Botagoz” S. Mukanov received an award from the Ministry of Culture of the KazakhSSR, which was held in Almaty.
Astana audience warmly greeted the performances “Conildester” by A. Tazhibaev, “Shuga” by B. Malin, “Assyl Zhandar” by B. Korkytov, “Isatay – Makhambet” by M. Akinzhanov, “Zulymdyk pen Makhambet” by Schiller. Especially appreciated was the performance “Conildester” (directed by K. Dogalakov), in which the creation of the image of our contemporaries was an outstanding achievement of the theater.
As a result of creative research, K. Tulekov and Z. Suleimenova were awarded the honorary title of “People’s Artist”, A. Akhmetova, Zh. Manapova, K. Imangalieva, Yu. Imankulov were awarded the honorary title “Honored Artists of the Republic of Kazakhstan” and diplomas of the first degrees and valuable gifts. The awarding of a group of artists with diplomas of the Supreme Soviet of the KazakhSSR showed the appearance of the theater and that the creative path is going in the right direction.
In 1975 the theater moved to a new building. This expanded the creative potential of the team.
In 1994, our theater group with a creative priority became the winner of the Republican theatrical competition for the 100th anniversary of S. Seifullin, which was held in the city of Zhezkazgan. In it, K. Myrzagaliyev’s play “Zharaly Zholbarys” took first place, and the artist who played the role of Baymagambet T. Kuanyshev received the title of “Honored Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan” and the director Sh. Karibayev became the winner of the Makhambet Prize and to all this, the play “Zharaly Zholbarys” received a ticket to Egypt.
A great success of art among all theaters was the production of R. Otarbayev “Beybarys” (directed by Ch. Zulkash). At the IX festival of theaters of Kazakhstan, from the cities of Almaty, Petropavlovsk dedicated to the 10th anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan and in honor of the 100th anniversary of oil, as well as to all foreign guests, this performance was presented as a gift.
The play by playwright S. Nazarbekuly “Makhambettyn bir kuni” (directed by Ch. Zulkash) was successful on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the birth of our ancestor Makhambet, which was celebrated within the framework of UNESCO.
In 2008, at the XIV Republican Festival of Theaters of Kazakhstan, M. Auezov’s drama “Karakoz” (directed by N. Zhumaniyazov) won a diploma, and the theater actor Sabit Kozhabekov was awarded a diploma for the best male image of the 2nd plan.
In 2010, at the republican festival of theaters dedicated to the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of B. Momyshuly in Taraz, Mukangali Tomanov took part with the play “Syilanbagan Sezim” and won the “audience’s sympathy” prize.
In 2012 took part in the XX Republican Festival of Drama Theaters of Kazakhstan, dedicated to the 80th anniversary of A. Mambetov in the city of Uralsk.
In 2013, at the Festival of Western Regional Theaters in the city of Uralsk, U. Zhukenov and A. Ikhsanov took part in the play “Karakshy Malaylar”, and the theater actress L. Apanaeva was awarded the title of “Best Debut”.
In 2015, took second place at the International Theater Festival of Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, laureate of the International Prize Chingiz Aitmatov, outstanding writer and playwright Rahimzhan Otarbayev, which was held in our region.
Director Gulnaz Kamysbayeva, who took part in the XXIV Republican Festival of Dramatic Theaters of Kazakhstan, dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan in 2016, won the nomination “Best Director”.
Participant of the II International Theater Festival of Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, laureate of the Chingiz Aitmatov International Prize, an outstanding writer and playwright Rakhimzhan Otarbayev.
Laureate of the State Prize of 2017, laureate of the International Prize “Alash” and the Independent Prize “Platinum Tarlan”, participant of the Republican theater festival “Mangilik eldin altyn adamy” dedicated to the work of the poet, playwright Iran-Gayip (Iranbek Abitaevich Orazbayev).
Participant of the XIX International Theater Festival of Ancient Art “Bosphorus Agons” in Kerch, Republic of Crimea, Russia.
In June 2017, the theater staff took part in the XIX International Festival of Ancient Art “Bosphorus Agons” in Kerch and won in the nomination “Modern Reading of Antique Subjects”.
In 2017, the laureate of the State Prize, winner of the international awards “Alash” and “Platinum Tarlan”, at the republican festival of theaters “Mangilik eldin altyn adamy” of the poet and playwright Iran-Gayip (Iranbek Abitaevich Orazbayev) was awarded in the category “audience”.
In 2017, at the I Republican Forum-Festival of Young Directors named after Kairat Sugurbekov, the theater took part in the play “Mangurt” by Sh. Aitmatov, where director Kamysbaeva Gulnaz took first place.
In 2017, participated in the XXV Republican Festival of Drama Theaters of Kazakhstan dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, laureate of the State Prize of Kazakhstan, Professor A. Sigai with R. Otarbayev’s drama “Bas” and was awarded in the nomination “Ozekti takyrypty kotergeni ushin”.
In 2018, the head of the theater Zhamenov Berik became the winner in the nomination “Best Manager” in the National Theater Award “Sakhnager-2018”.
In 2018, the actor of the Musagaliyev Askat theater was awarded in the nomination “Umit” in the National Theater Award “Sakhnager – 2018”.
By the Decree of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated February 13, 2018 No. 52, the theater was awarded an academic title and renamed into the municipal state-owned enterprise “Regional Academic Kazakh Drama Theater named after Makhambet”.
2019 was a special year for Kazakh people, because President Nursultan Nazarbayev, in Nazarbayev’s Address dated October 5 last year, declared the “Year of Youth”. In this regard, with the support of the Akimat of the Atyrau region on the basis of the Regional Academic Kazakh Drama Theater named after Makhambet, the “Youth Theater” was created.
In 2019, on December 3-11, the Youth Theater received the Grand Prix at the International Festival “Theatrical Talents” where it was held in the Kingdom of Spain in Lloret de Mar.
In 2019, at the “III Republican Theater Festival” of Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, laureate of the International Prize Chingiz Aitmatov, outstanding writer and playwright Rakhimzhan Otarbayev, the theater received the “Grand Prix” with the production of R. Otarbayev “Zhalgyzdyk” (Director M. Tomanov).
From 10 to 18 June 2021, participated in the XIX International Theater Festival “Bosporus Agony” in the city of Kerch of the Republic of Crimea of the Russian Federation with Bernard Shaw’s drama “Cleopatra” and the theater actress Kukatova Gaini was awarded the nomination “Best Female Image”.
In the period from June 27 to July 4, 2021, participated in the theater festival of Turkish-speaking countries “XI Antalya Uluslararasi” in Antalya, Turkey and won the nomination “Best Performance”.
In 2023, at the “TeART-Kokshe” Theatre Festival held in Kokshetau, Akmola Region, the company participated with the performance Zhalgyzdyq (“Loneliness”) based on the work by R. Otarbayev and was awarded the Grand Prix “Altyn Burkit” (Golden Eagle).
In the same year, at the Republican Theatre Festival dedicated to the 220th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding 19th-century poet, passionate zhyrau, valiant batyr, and composer Makhambet Utemisov, the theatre presented T. Alimkulov’s drama Kosh bol, Karaoi and won the главный prize.
Also in 2023, in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, as part of international events marking the 800th anniversary of the legendary commander and Sultan Baybars, the company presented R. Otarbayev’s historical drama Baybars. The participation took place at the special invitation of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kazakhstan to the Arab Republic of Egypt, Kairat Lama Sharif.
In 2024, by special invitation, the theatre took part in the 25th International Theatre Festival of the A. Bryantsev Youth Theatre in Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation, presenting the performance Zhalgyzdyq by R. Otarbayev.
From September 12 to 17, 2025, in Zhezkazgan, at the International Theatre Festival named after Zhanat Khadzhiev, the company staged A. Dauletbayeva’s drama Waves Die at the Shore and received the award in the nomination “For a Contemporary Perspective on Current Issues.”
From September 21 to 25, 2025, in Aktau, within the framework of the III International TURKSOY Theatre Festival, the theatre participated as a special guest, presenting R. Otarbayev’s legend Baybars.
From October 1 to 6, 2025, in Kostanay, at the QITFEST (Qostanay International Theatre Festival Laboratory), the company presented R. Otarbayev’s drama Zhalgyzdyq and won third place.
From October 21 to 25, 2025, in the Zhambyl Region, at the Republican Theatre Festival dedicated to the 110th anniversary of Askar Tokpanov, the theatre presented M. Auezov’s drama The Day of the Defenseless. As a result of the festival, actress Shakizada Kuzembay received the “Umit” (“Hope”) nomination award.