User:JKizzieHumanities/Perishable Theatre

Perishable Theatre was a non-profit theater that originated in Providence, Rhode Island. It was known for its experimental contemporary plays, it's collaboration with long-standing Providence art institution AS220, and its annual International Women's Playwrighting Festival.

Perishable Theatre was founded in 1983 by Catherine Cabriele and David F. Eliet. The theatre was an affiliated with Trinity Repertory Theatre until 1989, the theatre moved to the AS220 complex, the first real-estate venture by AS220. Mark Lerman became the theatre's artistic director in 1991, and developed the theatre into one of the top ten largest non-profit arts organizations in Rhode Island. Vanessa Gilbert, former director of the International Women's Playwriting Festival, became artistic director in 2006. In addition to theatrical productions, Perishable Theatre offered courses for youth, monthly theater programs and music performances. The theatre closed in 2011.

Perishable Theatre produced new theatre from award-winning playwrights including Rose Weaver, Christine Evans and Suzan Lori-Parks.