Red Magnolia Theatre Company was founded in August 2017 by a group of friends who met through the Baton Rouge theater community. Originally named Pelagia Productions after the patron saint of actresses, Red Magnolia changed its name in March 2018 when it officially incorporated. Red Magnolia's name is an homage to its hometown of Baton Rouge (French for "Red Stick"), and the state flower of Louisiana.  Known to be one of the oldest flowering plants, the magnolia represents beauty, strength, and endurance in ever changing times.

In 2022 RMTC became a nonprofit
501(c)(3) organization.