Press Releases

ZACH Theatre Announces Details for Annual Red, Hot & Soul Gala

AUSTIN, Texas — Prepare to expect wonders with ZACH’s annual Red, Hot & Soul Gala in an all new, spectacular party at the Downtown Hilton’s Grand Ballroom on Saturday, April 21, 2012. Celebrated as one of the best parties in Austin, Red, Hot & Soul promises all new wonders this season lead by event co-chairs Mrs. Bobbi Topfer, a champion of large-scale events that raise significant funds for Austin’s most beloved nonprofit organizations, and ZACH Board Member Mr. Larry Connelly, chair of several of ZACH’s most successful fundraisers ... (Read more.)

ZACH Theatre Leadership Expands with Dynamic, New Additions to Board of Directors

AUSTIN, Texas — January 13, 2012 — “Our staff and existing board members are excited to welcome these new members to the ZACH board, who bring new energy to an already active and ambitious group of leaders,” said ZACH Producing Artistic Director Dave Steakley. “As ZACH continues to grow, we are extending our reach in the community with a smart, sophisticated and well-connected group of professionals who have a passion for the performing arts and a strong interest in ZACH’s mission to create intimate theatre that ignites the imagination, lifts the spirit, and engages our community.” ... (Read more.)

GOD OF CARNAGE Opens at ZACH Theatre Nov. 29

AUSTIN, Texas — November 15, 2011 — “God of Carnage has exceptionally written roles for actors and requires that you assemble four heavyweight champs and put them all in the boxing ring together to duke it out,” says ZACH’s Producing Artistic Director Dave Steakley. “The chemistry between Lauren Lane who was brilliant in August: Osage County, Eugene Lee who was amazing in The Book of Grace, Angela Rawna who took our breath away in Doubt, and outstanding NYC actor Thomas Ward will make this an unforgettable evening in the theatre. We’ll be talking about these performances for years to come!” ... (Read more.)

SPRING AWAKENING Opens at ZACH Theatre Sept. 24

AUSTIN, Texas — August 26, 2011 — Winner of eight Tony Awards, this electrifying, folk-infused rock musical was hailed by critics as “daring,” “remarkable” and “a Broadway landmark.” Spring Awakening explores the intimate journey from adolescence to adulthood with unforgettable poignancy and passion. Starring an acclaimed cast of the finest actors and musicians in a dynamic new production on ZACH’s Kleberg Stage ... (Read more.)

ZACH Theatre Names New Chief Development Officer

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. ... (Read more.)

ZACH Theatre Veteran Inducted Into Texas Radio Hall of Fame

AUSTIN, Texas (July 26, 2011) – 

A standing ovation is in order for ZACH actor David Jarrott, who will be inducted into The Texas Radio Hall of Fame this fall for his more than 40 years of work in Texas media. Currently appearing onstage at ZACH in the hit musical HAIRSPRAY as characters Harriman F. Spritzer, Mr. Pinky, and the TV Announcer, Jarrott has been a familiar face and voice in Austin since the 1970s. He served as an anchor and news producer for KTBC Television in the 1970s in Austin and was a number-one rated morning personality for KNOW, KHFI (K98), KEY-103, KOOL 99, and MAJIC 95 radio stations in Austin as well as KXOL Radio in Fort Worth for years ... (Read more.)

ZACH Announces $500K Challenge Grant for New Topfer Theatre

AUSTIN, Texas (May 9, 2011) – 

The Juliet Balcony of the new Topfer Theatre, now under construction on the ZACH Theatre campus, is the latest scene for Austin’s love affair with the performing arts. The balcony, which will host a series of free community performances when the Topfer Theatre opens in the fall of 2012, will be named “The Serra Family Juliet Balcony.” ZACH Theatre Board Member and ABE Charitable Foundation, Inc. President Deanna Serra and her husband Vida Capital, Inc. President and CEO Jeff Serra are contributing $500,000 as a challenge grant to continue fueling ZACH’s fundraising efforts. (Read more.)

AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY is One Bitch of a Family Reunion

AUSTIN, Texas (March 7, 2011) – 

Director Dave Steakley notes: "August: Osage County is an actors’ dream show, in that all of the roles are so well-written and it is about the strength of the ensemble’s interplay and relationships. We saw more than 300 actors for this play and I have assembled a first-rate company of veteran Austin actors along with newcomers to our stage that I know will create a hilarious and riveting evening of memorable theatre. (Read more.)

FICTION by Austin Playwright Steven Dietz Opens February 10

AUSTIN, Texas (February 5, 2011) – After cheering the wit, charm and romance of Shooting Star and Becky’s New Car, ZACH audiences are in for a thrilling story of intrigue as Austin playwright Steven Dietz's FICTION comes to ZACH. In this razor-sharp play, two married writers live a life whose very profession places them on edge of fact and fiction. When Linda faces a fatal diagnosis, she and husband Michael are forced to confront the notion that the only thing harder than dying with a secret is living with one. Dietz, the most produced playwright in the country, teams with acclaimed director Charles Otte to bring this gasp-out-loud comedic drama to stage with a trademark and irresistible blend of humor, heart and precision ... (Read more.)

Dreams Becoming Reality with ZACH's Topfer Theatre Groundbreaking

AUSTIN, Texas (February 2, 2011) – In unique ZACH fashion, nationally recognized ZACH Theatre and the Austin community celebrated a new milestone in ZACH’s 78-year history with the official groundbreaking today (without a shovel in sight) for the new 26,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Topfer Theatre, the centerpiece of a new performance campus on the shores of Lady Bird Lake. ... (Read more.)

ZACH Theatre to Break Ground for New Topfer Theatre

AUSTIN, Texas (January 25, 2011) – ZACH Theatre is set to break ground on its new 420-seat theatre Wednesday, Feb. 2, at 11:30 a.m. The new, state-of-the-art Topfer Theatre, designed to match the award-winning artistry that Austin audiences have come to enjoy at the city’s leading professional theatre company, will become part of ZACH’s performance and theatre education campus that anchors and enlivens the South Lamar corridor. A brief and unique groundbreaking ceremony in the ZACH tradition will begin promptly at 11:30 a.m. and will be followed by a luncheon. No shovels will be used in this production, but there will be some drama ... (Read more.)

‘Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins’ makes its Texas premiere at ZACH Theatre January 29

AUSTIN, Texas (January 1, 2011) – The unsinkable Molly Ivins, Austin's no-holds-barred newspaper columnist and best-selling author, is back to tell it like it is in a side-splittingly funny play. A true Texas original, Ivins was a sharp-tongued wit who skewered the “Lege” and the good ol’ boys who ran it with her unforgettable humor and wisdom. Written by twin journalist sisters, Margaret and Allison Engel, and directed by Broadway’s David Esbjornson (whose production of DRIVING MISS DAISY with Vanessa Redgrave and James Earl Jones is now on Broadway), the play celebrates Molly's courage and tenacity – even when a complacent America wasn't listening — in a play that is nothing short of kick-ass. Landing the role following a national search, Austin’s extraordinarily talented Barbara Chisholm stars as Molly Ivins ... (Read more.)

ZACH Theatre Presents BECKY’S NEW CAR, A Revved-Up Comic Adventure Written and Directed by Steven Dietz

AUSTIN, Texas (May 17, 2010) – BECKY’S NEW CAR was commissioned by Seattle arts funder Charlie Staadecker as a birthday present to his wife, Benita. The play was originally produced by ACT Theatre in Seattle, Washington, and has since played on stages coast to coast. Charlie and Benita are having a terrific ride with BECKY’S NEW CAR. They are flying to every opening of the play across the country (including Austin), seeing new incarnations of their “gift that keeps on giving,” says Charlie. “This is the best return we’ve made on an investment in our lives.” ... (Read more.)

Announcing ZACH's 2010-2011 Season

AUSTIN, Texas (March 23, 2010) – ZACH Theatre, Austin’s leading professional theatre, announces its 2010-11 season which promises to be one of its most entertaining, prestigious and dynamic lineups. The new season features regional premieres of three new plays and three extraordinary musicals tailored to showcase the excellence of ZACH’s and Austin’s finest professional playwrights, directors, musicians, designers and actors. Among these hit shows are three Pulitzer Prizes and three Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Play ... (Read more.)

ZACH Theatre Reinvisions OUR TOWN in Our Town

AUSTIN, Texas (April 15, 2010) – Austin’s finest actors join together to tell the intimate, heartfelt story of America’s best loved play. ZACH’s contemporary interpretation transports the audience to a chapel of love that will linger in your memory. Our Town audiences will watch the story unfold in several settings, including the wedding scene, which will be fully realized in its setting, costumes, environment with music by Austin area choral choirs. Directed by Dave Steakley, ZACH’s production is more than a play: it’s an experience as unique as Austin! ... (Read more.)

ZACH Theatre Gives Away Free Wedding in Our Town

AUSTIN, Texas (March 8, 2010) - In celebration of the Austin staging of ZACH Theatre’s production of Thornton Wilder’s beloved play OUR TOWN, ZACH Theatre will give away a full wedding to a lucky Central Texas couple – complete with the ceremony and reception.  The wedding will take place on the set of OUR TOWN in ZACH’s Nowlin Studio, located at 1426 Toomey Rd., in the heart of Austin on scenic Lady Bird Lake ... (Read more.)

The Flaming Idiots Return Home to ZACH Theatre

AUSTIN, Texas (January 2010) – The Flaming Idiots – hot from their sold out, off-Broadway run in New York City - return to ZACH’s stage with their new show filled with outrageous, crackerjack juggling and hilarious hijinx.  Austin’s acclaimed three man band (accompanied by a three man band) bring together threads from Vaudeville, stand-up, circus, and hysterical comedy to weave an original and stunning theatrical tapestry.  Great fun for all ages ... (Read more.)