Formerly known as the Derby Playhouse, the Derby Theatre was opened in 2009 under the control of the University of Derby, who use it as a learning and community theatre.

Derby Theatre has a fixed, tiered seating capacity of 535 in the main house. A purpose-built modern theatre, the venue is light and airy with an on-site box office, toilets, coffee shop and bar.

Professional productions are staged at the venue in conjunction with Derby LIVE, the city council's performing arts programme. Derby LIVE will put on 22 weeks of produced and 12 weeks of presented theatre each year. It also available to hire for 10 weeks of the year, for concerts, shows and amateur productions. The venue has flexible spaces for breakout sessions and can accommodate large conferences well.