ZACH Theatre Names New Chief Development Officer

30-Year Arts Fundraising Veteran Melodee DuBois to Expand Fundraising Efforts for Productions & Topfer Capital Campaign

AUSTIN, Texas — July 25, 2011 — ZACH Theatre has scored yet another hit, this time in the form of a new Chief Development Officer with more than 30 years of arts fundraising experience. Melodee DuBois recently joined ZACH Theatre to oversee ZACH’s ongoing development functions, including annual fund giving, corporate and foundations support, special events and the completion of the Capital Campaign for the Topfer Theatre, which will open in the fall of 2012.

“ZACH is on a strong artistic and operational trajectory, and I’m honored to have been chosen to join this exciting journey,” said DuBois. “I’m so impressed with what ZACH has accomplished in terms of the quality and creativity of its productions, as well as its tightly run business operation. I’m looking forward to contributing my experience to secure even more resources to further support Dave’s (Steakley) artistic vision and ZACH’s financial goals.”

DuBois comes to Austin following four seasons as the Director of Annual and Campaign Development at Cleveland Play House. She previously served as Director of Development at Chicago’s Court Theatre, at Meadow Brook Theatre at Oakland University and at the Art Museum and Academy of Art at the Cranbrook Educational Community in Michigan.

“Melodee’s extensive and direct experience in arts and theatre fundraising is critical to our strategic plans as we continue to grow the organization as a major regional theatre,” said Elisbeth Challener, Managing Director of ZACH. “We purposely looked outside Austin to provide us a fresh perspective and offer new, bold ideas — values we hold near and dear to our hearts at ZACH.”

About ZACH Theatre

ZACH Theatre is Austin’s leading professional producing theatre. Founded in 1933, ZACH is the longest running theatre company in Texas, serving more than 170,000 adults and youth annually. ZACH creates its own nationally recognized dramatic, musical and comedic productions that elevate, motivate and stimulate the human spirit under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Dave Steakley and Managing Director Elisbeth Challener. Now in its 78th season, ZACH continues to expand and engage with Austin, adding a third theatre to its Central Austin performance campus. The 420-seat, 26,000-square-foot Topfer Theatre will nearly double ZACH’s capacity while retaining its hallmark intimate theatre-going experience. The Topfer Theatre will open in fall of 2012, following a $22 million campaign. Visit www.zachtheatre.org for more information.