Mission Statement

About the Company

The People

Volunteers

Venues

Audience

The Plays

What People Have Said

            The Performers

MISSION STATEMENT

 Saltpillar Theatre’s aim is to produce plays of interest to the Jewish community and beyond in Melbourne, Australia.  It is committed to fostering and developing talent, which includes actors, writers, directors, producers and production personnel.

 ABOUT THE COMPANY

 Saltpillar Theatre was founded in 1986. Five members of the cast and production team of the first AUJS-Victoria (Australasian Union of Jewish Students) Comedy Revue resolved that the time for the establishment of a Jewish based theatre group was long overdue.

 The original five, Ernie Schwartz, Steven Curtis, Eugene Berkovic, David Beresh and Ian Rubinstein soon converted ideas into action. In order to establish a true "community" group, they sought to involve a wide variety of people. By April 1987, a nine-person committee, representing a cross-section of the Melbourne Jewish community, was already planning its first production. In March 1988, Saltpillar staged its first production, the Australian premiere of On Edge, by local playwright Yvonne Fein.

 Since then, Saltpillar has staged a production every year, fostered Jewish writing through the Samuel Weisberg Playwriting Award and given many people the opportunity to be part of a Jewish theatre group. Saltpillar has built a strong reputation on the quality of its productions and the high level of professionalism brought to them by all involved.

 
THE PEOPLE

The Committee

Saltpillar is structured in the following format: an executive committee made up of a Chairperson/Artistic Director, Treasurer and Committee members (with specific functions). All these positions are voluntary.  Previous chairpersons of Saltpillar have been:

            1987 - 89                    Steven Curtis

            1989 - 91                    Ernie Schwartz

            1991 - 92                    Michael Wise

1993                               Anton Grodek

1994 - 97                     Raoul Salter

1998                               Gary Starr

1999 -2003                 Danny Gesundheit

2004 -                         Raoul Salter

Production Team

Each Saltpillar show requires a group of individuals to become part of the production team, committed to the success of the production. The production team is made up of highly talented people, some of them working theatre professionals who help create the polished, professional productions that audiences enjoying watching. The production team varies in size from show to show, however the key roles are:

Director                                 Producer                              Stage Manager

Set designer                        Lighting Designer             Actors

Musicians                             Sound Designer                 Lighting/Sound Operator

Costume Design                Poster/Program

Volunteers

The people involved in Saltpillar Theatre come from all walks of life; including theatre professionals, high school/university students, housewives and a broad cross section of traditional professional people.  They all have one thing in common: a love for the theatre, a willingness to be part of a community theatre group and a desire to contribute to Saltpillar. Over the years, hundreds of people have volunteered their time to be part of a show. Here is a sample of the many roles they have played:

Ushers                                  Front of House                   Back stage crew

Group Bookings                  Ticketing                              Make up

Costume                               Set Construction                      Opening night gala  

Click here to be a SALTPILLAR VOLUNTEER NOW!!

VENUES

Saltpillar Theatre performed at the Phoenix Theatre, Elwood from 1988 to 1997. In 1993, as part of the Jewish Festival of the Arts, Saltpillar performed two productions at the Cromwell Street Theatre, South Yarra.

In 1998 Saltpillar moved to St.Martins Youth Arts Centre, South Yarra using the Irene Mitchell Studio and the larger Randall Theatre. The move attracted the attention of the wider community including critics, media, actors, broader audience and sponsors and has made Saltpillar a household name in the Melbourne Theatre scene.

In 2003 Saltpillar returned to its original home, the Phoenix theatre.

AUDIENCE

 Since its first production in March 1988, over 40,000 people have seen a Saltpillar show. The makeup of the audience has been quite diverse and includes:

•      Jewish Community groups such as WIZO, United Israel Appeal, Maccabi Victoria, Theodore Hertzl Club

• Jewish day schools such as Mt.Scopus Memorial College and Bialik College..Students of Drama from government high schools and tertiary institutions

• Jewish Youth Movements such as Habonim Dror, SKIF, Hineni, Hashomer etc.

• Theatre professionals/practitioners from the MTC, Playbox, Melbourne Fringe Festival, Victorian Drama League and amateur theatre companies..Supporters of Jewish art and culture and people who generally support the arts in Melbourne

• Friends and family of performers/production personnel

THE PLAYS

Mar 1988

WHAT PEOPLE HAVE SAID ABOUT SALTPILLAR…

" Saltpillar Theatre's production of BILOXI BLUES is one of the most memorable and outstanding productions of 1989."

         "Applause Applause"- Theatre Programme of the Victorian              Drama League

"…BILOXI BLUES is a performance worthy of the professional stage."

        Carol-Ann Croaker, 3LO Sunday Show

" Saltpillar does American comedy much better than any Australian theatre company…LAUGHTER ON THE 23^RD FLOOR is brilliantly timed comedy."

        Peter Kohn, The Australian Jewish News, 1997

" Saltpillar productions have consistently presented plays on Jewish themes with professionalism and dedication."

        Dina Ross, The Age, 1998

" CONVERSATIONS WITH MY FATHER is an admirable production

by a community theatre company."

        Jason Steger, The Age, 1998

" …the interest in Jewish history has not yet produced great

literary reflections, but Saltpillar's professionally polished

production of KINDERTRANSPORT is a step in the right direction."

       Felicity Bloch, The Australian Jewish News, 1999

" KINDERTRANSPORT…to be quite honest is one of the best things

I've seen all week. Good cast, well acted, well staged and well

worth seeing!"

        Geoffry Milne, The Sunday Show, 774 ABC

" PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM is a good evening of entertainment and Saltpillar Theatre  is a company not to be missed."

Peter Kemp, Peter's Kemp's theatre 2001

(THE CHOSEN) "A thoroughly worthwhile production of a modern Jewish classic."

Peter Kohn, Australian Jewish News, 26 August 2005

THE PERFORMERS