Between November 1890 and March 1892. the Théâtre d'Arstaged seven productions. It was during these two years that it became associated with the symbolist poets and finally came to represent the symbolist poetic in theatre. The staging of pierr Quillard's play La Fille aux Mains Coupées (The Girl with Cut-off Hands), the first stage production of Maurice Maeterlinck's plays L'Intruse (The Intruder) and Les Aveugles (The Blind), the recitation of poetry from the stage, and the staging of Song of Songs-all at the Théâtre d'Art—represent four different aspects of symbolist performance.

The Girl with Cut-off Hands, a mystery in two scenes performed on March 19th and 20th, 1891, was the first distinctly symbolist production in regard to its mise-en-scene and design. To a great extent it influenced the staging practice of Théâtre d'Art. The play was performed on a stage separated from the audience by a gauze scrim immediately behind the footlights.