The University of Texas at El Paso Dinner Theatre started in 1983 when an enterprising undergraduate in Theatre Arts thought up the idea of a university dinner theatre. Starting with only one thousand dollars, provided by the Student Programs Office, the first production took place on March 10, 1983.

After 24 years and over 110 productions, the UTEP Dinner Theatre is now a part of the UTEP Department of Theatre and Dance. The Dinner Theatre produces 4 musicals a year in addition to an annual Holiday Spectacular which premiered December 2007.