The school was originally the Shanghai Municipal Experimental Drama School. On December 1, 1945, it was founded by renowned playwrights Li Jianwu, Huang Zolining, Gu Yuxiu, Gu Zhongyi, etc. In 1949, it was renamed Shanghai Municipal Drama College, and in 1951, it was renamed Shanghai Drama College. In 1953, the drama department of the Art Department of Shandong University and the drama group of Shanghai Xingzhi Art School were merged to form the Central Drama College East China Branch (operating independently and having its own establishment).