About

Peridot Theatre Incorporated

Peridot Theatre Inc. is a not-for-profit community theatre company, based in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

Peridot, presents an annual program of four full-length plays, along with a shorter season of One Act Plays and hosts the Monash One Act Play Festival.

Peridot is committed to producing high quality community theatre and providing a comfortable and enjoyable theatrical experience for its audience.

The theatre company also aims to provide its members with opportunities to explore all aspects of live theatre production in a safe and equitable environment. Peridot is dedicated to supporting local and emerging playwrights, actors, directors and production crew with the aim of contributing to the success and development of Australian theatre.

History

Since its first production in 1985 (‘Moving’ by Stanley Price, directed by Edna Jones) at Monash High School in Clayton, Peridot Theatre Inc. has grown to be one of Melbourne’s leading non-professional theatre companies.

Our name derives from the semi-precious gemstone - the Peridot - and is reflected in the company’s distinctive green logo. Founding member Edna Bartlett, fondly reflects on the early days in Cheryl Threadgold’s In the Name of Theatre: The History, Culture and Voices of Amateur Theatre in Victoria (2020); “…being a Leo, that’s my birthstone (Peridot), so we took the colour green and named the company Peridot!”

In November 1986, Peridot moved to the Unicorn Theatre at Mount Waverley Secondary College, with the first production being ‘Patrick Pearse Hotel’ by Hugh Leonard. Many have contributed to Peridot’s success over the years, notably Life Members Grant and Gaye Gay, who ably led and grew the company, following Edna’s retirement in the 1990s.

Peridot has staged over 150 productions, typically presenting four full-length plays, along with a One Act Play season annually and has developed a very loyal subscriber base, for which we are very grateful. The Monash One Act Play Festival has been added to the theatre’s repertoire - an event where theatre companies from across Victoria and beyond, meet in friendly competition to showcase their work.

Peridot acknowledges that the development of skills is critical to the continuing success of community theatre and we aim to include training and development opportunities each year within our calendar. These include workshops in areas such as stage management, directing, lighting and sound.  In 2020, under the guidance of Past-President Alison Knight, Peridot introduced Playwrights@Peridot, a scriptwriting workshop for local playwrights, offering the opportunity to have their work read at Peridot’s regular play readings.

Today, Peridot Theatre Inc. proudly holds a place as one of Melbourne’s finest community theatre companies.

A New Chapter for Peridot Theatre Company

We are now based at the Clayton Theatrette in the Clayton Community Centre, located at 9-15 Cooke St (Corner Centre Rd), Clayton in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs!

What this means for our productions.

Whilst our permanent performance space is being explored, rest assured that our top priority is still to bring high-quality productions to our audience and the wider community!

Get involved:

Volunteer

Peridot Theatre Inc. is operated and run by a dedicated team of volunteers; from its volunteer Board of Management, to its volunteer actors, directors and backstage crew. If you would like to get involved, we would love to welcome you to the team! Here’s how:

Become a member

Become a Member – Ever wondered how a community theatre company runs? If so, become a Peridot General Member and find out!

Contact our Secretary on 0429 115 334 or by email: secretary@peridot.com.au for general and membership enquiries.

Audition or Direct

Want to try your hand at acting or directing? Contact our Artistic Director Joe Dias, by email: HERE or alternatively, go to our AUDITIONS page.

Submit a script

Got a play you would like to see on stage or are you a budding playwright? Email our Artistic Director Joe Dias: HERE See also Playwrights@Peridot scriptwriting workshops.

Front of house

Interested in assisting with refreshments or volunteering as an usher during a show? Email our Catering Manager: foh@peridot.com.au

Set design / construction / dressing / costume design

Handy with a paint brush or interested in helping on a set-build or with costumes? Contact our President: president@peridot.com.au

Props

Ever wondered how Peridot sources props for a show? Email Alex: crewing@peridot.com.au

Backstage

Interested in working behind the scenes? Email Alex: crewing@peridot.com.au

Become a subscriber

Peridot Theatre Inc. is very thankful for its loyal subscribers, our Friends of Peridot. In the past, we have offered a yearly subscription to our shows includes a discounted seat to all four of our full-length productions, plus our monthly newsletter GEMS.

However, recovery from the pandemic has been challenging for our theatre company and, in light of this, Peridot Theatre Inc. will be suspending its Friends of Peridot Subscriptions for the moment.

In the meantime, join our mailing list to keep updated on our shows at the bottom of the page!

Become a sponsor

Peridot Theatre Inc. proudly acknowledges the generosity of our corporate sponsors: Jellis Craig Real Estate (Mount Waverley) and City of Monash.

If you would like to discuss sponsoring a seat with Peridot or a Peridot Theatre Inc. corporate sponsorship package, please contact our Treasurer: treasurer@peridot.com.au

Make a donation

Peridot Theatre Inc. operates as a not-for-profit organisation and largely self-funds its activities through ticket sales, fundraisers and through the generosity of its corporate sponsors and benefactors. All funds received go towards running the theatre company and are gratefully accepted.

If you would like to support Peridot Theatre Inc. with a donation, you may wish to consider adding a little extra to your Friends of Peridot annual subscription or making a bequest to Peridot in your will. To make a donation to Peridot Theatre Inc. please contact our Treasurer: treasurer@peridot.com.au

Awards

Peridot Theatre Inc. is very thankful for having received recognition for its outstanding contribution to community theatre by the Victorian Drama League (VDL) and the Lyrebird Awards Committee (Lyrebirds). For more on Peridot's VDL and Lyrebird awards, see below.

Past productions

Peridot Theatre Inc. presented its first show Moving by Stanley Price in 1985. For information on every show since, see below.