The National Melbourne comprises Australia’s longest-established drama school, a preeminent ballet school and a 783-seat proscenium theatre, housed in an historic beaux art building originally constructed in 1921 as a 3000-seat cinema. 

The National is the continuing legacy of Australian performing arts pioneer Gertrude Johnson who established The National Theatre Movement in 1935 to ensure training and performance opportunities for young artists in Australia.

Located in Melbourne’s Bayside city of St. Kilda, The National Melbourne is home to the 783-seat National Theatre est 1974, The National Ballet School est. 1939 (formerly The National Theatre Ballet School) and The National Drama School est 1936 (formerly The National Theatre Drama School).

As a Not-for-Profit organisation, we strive to support communities through the arts by providing an accessible venue and a centre for training emerging artists for generations to come.