The Independent staged a diverse range of local and international dramas, many for the first time in Australia, in total during its tenure playing host to more than 400 productions including Gwen Meredith's, Shout at the Thunder, Sumner Locke Elliott's wartime comedy, Rusty Bugles and Max Afford's thriller Lady in Danger Fitton was born in Santa Ana, Manila, Philippines, to English-born accountant and broker Walter Albert and Janet Frazer (née Cameron) Fitton.

She was educated at Loreto Convent, Ballarat and took acting classes at the Melbourne Repertory Company under director Gregan McMahon.

All told, The Independent Theatre staged more than 400 productions, including Sumner Locke Elliott's controversial Rusty Bugles, Max Afford's Lady in Danger and Gwen Meredith's Shout at the Thunder.

Doris Fitton was usually producer and director, and frequently acted in productions as a leading lady, and in each of these roles she won praise from the critics.

[1] A commemorative plaque was unveiled on 17 December 1986 on the footpath in front of the Independent Theatre in her honour, with the famous stanza from William Shakespeare As You Like It: "All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players: They have their exits and their entrances..." [citation needed] Doris Fitton Park at 1 Little Walker Street, North Sydney, is named after her.