The Karen Kuykendall Stage

The state-of-the-art Karen Kuykendall Stage at ZACH’s new Topfer Theatre will allow ZACH’s talented actors, designers and other artists to showcase their capabilities in (literally) a new light with a fly tower and trapped stage — to raise and lower scenery, move sets on and off stage, suspend and lower actors and add superbly heightened special effects — adjustable acoustics, a fully equipped backstage and more dressing rooms.

The stage itself, at 3.5 times larger than what is currently available at ZACH, will be the showstopper, so it’s only fitting that it be named for such an extraordinary Austin talent.

Karen Kuykendall was Austin’s most beloved actress and a community treasure who shined brightly on ZACH’s stage for more than five decades, appearing in our company’s first-ever musical, The Boy Friend, in 1958.

Her stellar performances in such hits as The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Full Gallop, House Arrest and Angels in America, made her a local legend resulting in being named Best Diva in The Austin Chronicle's "Best of Austin" and being inducted into the Austin Arts Hall of Fame.

Learn more about Karen and her numerous accomplishments.

Please feel free to contact Jessie Pitluk for more information on how you can help build the Karen Kuykendall Stage: (512) 476-0594, ext. 430 or by email at jpitluk@zachtheatre.org.