The article examines the influence of ideological resolutions of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of the Bolsheviks (On the repertoire of drama theatres and measures for its improvement, About the Opera Great Friendship by V. Muradeli), as well as the resolution of the Council of Ministers of the USSR On the reduction of public subsidies to theaters and measures for improving their financial activities on the theatres of the South Urals (Chelyabinsk, Kurgan and Chkalov areas) in the postwar years. Methods of comparative and statistical analysis used in the study showed that these documents played an important role in changing the repertoire policy, and led to the reduction in the number of theatres in the South Ural region. As a result, theatrical productions in the area in question became focused on patriotic education, the importance of development of Communist society and the formation of a special attitude towards the head of state. This ideological policy led to an increase in the repertoire of the number of works of modern Soviet drama, and a significant reduction in the number of productions based on classic Russian and foreign drama. The result was a loss of interest in theatrical productions and a decrease in the number of audience of drama and musical comedy theatres in the region. The death of Stalin followed by the party and state reorganization brought about positive changes in the functioning of the regional theatres. For example, the Chkalov drama theater demonstrated its new repertoire in the region as well as in the capital during tours.