NTU is a collaborative organisation of the Nordic countries, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. The objective of NTU is to strengthen and advance Nordic cooperation in the field of theatre.

NTU facilitates the spreading of information related to theatre between the Nordic countries, identifies issues of common Nordic interest and initiates collaboration. Every second year NTU organises the Nordic Theatre Meeting and gives out the Nordic Drama Award for the best Nordic theatre play.

NTU operates within the International Theatre Institute ITI and other international networks. Its members are national organisations which call their representatives to the NTU Board. The presidency and the secretariat of NTU are administered by each member country in turn for a two-year period.