Austin Opera, Ballet Austin, Paramount Theatre And Zach Theatre Announce The 2018–19 ATX Arts Pass

Austin's four premier nonprofit performing arts organizations-Austin Opera, Ballet Austin, The Paramount Theatre, and ZACH Theatre-have partnered to create the ATX Arts Pass. The 2018-19 ATX Arts Pass gives a taste of Austin's performing arts organizations at one low price with four hand-picked performances: Shinyribs (The Paramount Theatre), The Nutcracker (Ballet Austin), Hedwig and the Angry Inch (ZACH Theatre), and La bohème (Austin Opera). ATX Arts Pass holders are encouraged to have their passport stamped at all four events, allowing them the opportunity to attend a special Passport Holder Season End Celebration.

"We couldn't be more excited about this collaboration between ZACH and our fellow Austin Arts organizations. ZACH is making a concerted effort to create initiatives that encourage new residents and young people to enjoy and support arts and culture institutions in Austin which is exactly what the ATX Arts Pass is meant to do," ZACH Theatre Producing Artistic Director, Dave Steakley states.

Passes are limited and must be purchased by September 3, 2018. As one of the leading arts communities in the United States, the ATX Arts Pass offers Central Texans a way to take in all of Austin's culture in an accessible and commemorative way.

"Austin enjoys a vibrant local arts scene, and the ATX Arts Pass is a great way to experience the innovative works staged by four of Austin's premier nonprofit arts organizations," Ballet Austin Executive Director, Cookie Ruiz notes. "As our community continues to grow, it's vital to welcome newcomers and individuals new to performing arts to sample the best in live dance, opera, and theatre, and the ATX Arts Pass provides the perfect introduction to this important part of Austin's cultural identity."

Stamp your passport and enjoy your perks - It's as easy as 1-2-3!

1. Pick-up your ATX Arts Pass packet when you arrive for your first event at The Paramount Theatre on September 21, 2018. Individual show tickets will be held at Will Call on the show date at each respective venue.

2. Present your ATX Arts Pass passport in designated hospitality areas and receive a special stamp for your attendance.

3. Collect stamps from all four shows and receive an exclusive gift at the ATX Arts Pass season-closing party for passport holders next spring.

2018-19 ATX Arts Pass Season Show Listings and Information

SHINYRIBS | September 21, 2018
The Paramount Theatre
713 Congress Avenue | Austin, TX 78701
austintheatre.org

Once you've seen Shinyribs' Kevin Russell on-stage and heard his band's music, it's impossible to forget. Known for his outrageous outfits and antics, he's a regular fashion icon, liable to turn up in anything from his lime-green sherbet leisure suit to a flashing LED cloak, donned on the award-winning PBS show Austin City Limits.

THE NUTCRACKER | December 8, 2018
Ballet Austin
Long Center | 701 W Riverside Drive | Austin, TX 78704
balletaustin.org

Your favorite way to celebrate the season returns for its 56th year! Ballet Austin's annual production of The Nutcracker never disappoints, with hundreds of dancers, beautiful sets and costumes, and Tchaikovsky's delicious score performed live by the Austin Symphony Orchestra. From a festive holiday party to an exotic court of sweets, watch as our young heroine Clara faces her fears, rescues her prince, and dreams big during the journey of a lifetime! Make memories to last a lifetime when you share this special holiday tradition with family and friends!

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH | January 23, 2019
ZACH Theatre
The Topfer at ZACH Theatre | 202 South Lamar | Austin, TX 78704
zachtheatre.org

Created by John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask and winner of two Obie Awards and four Tony Awards, Hedwig tells the story of "internationally ignored song stylist" Hedwig Schmidt, a fourth-wall-smashing rock 'n' roll goddess who is also the victim of a botched sex-change operation, trying to find a place to belong in America-outrageous and unexpectedly hilarious, it's "the most exciting rock score written for the theatre" says Time Magazine.

LA BOHÈME | May 2, 2019
Austin Opera
Long Center | 701 W Riverside Drive | Austin, TX 78704
austinopera.org

See one of the most enduring works in all of opera: Puccini's La bohème. Frequently referenced in popular culture-from the Academy Award-winning film Moonstruck to the Tony-winning musical Rent-the story and its music make it instantly recognizable.

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The 2018-19 ATX Arts Pass is $159 and available now at ATXArtsPass.org, AustinTheatre.org, by calling (512) 474-1221, or in person at the Paramount Theatre Box Office, 713 Congress Avenue. Monday through Friday, noon to 5:30 p.m. Passes are limited and must be purchased by September 3, 2018. No Refunds. No Exchanges. No Exceptions. All venues are wheelchair accessible.

A cooperative effort of four Austin arts organizations with the goal of offering world-class performing arts at an affordable price.

Facebook www.facebook.com/atxartspass/

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Founded in 1986 as the city's first professional opera company, Austin Opera employs hundreds of local and International Artists each year to produce operatic productions designed to inspire, entertain, and instigate discussion among Austin audiences. Last year, more than 18,000 individuals attended one of Austin Opera's four productions. Under the leadership of General Director Annie Burridge, the company has built a reputation for producing high quality opera across a wide range of repertoire that celebrates Austin's diversity and contributes to its thriving arts and culture. Austin Opera's recent production of The Manchurian Candidate won four Austin Critics Table Awards for Best Classical Concert/Opera, Best Singer (David Adam Moore), Best Singer (Donnie Ray Albert) and Best Digital Design.

The company's education programs are built around the core productions and are administered with artistic integrity as well as social and economic diversity and inclusion. More than 8,000 Central Texans participated in educational offerings last year. Austin Opera's educational offerings include free student programs for grades K-4 and 5-12, respectively, as well as community programs for ticket holders and Central Texans who are interested in the performing arts and opera. The opera's affinity groups, La Noche de Opera and UrbanNites, offer educational forums as part of its membership.

Under Artistic Director Stephen Mills, Ballet Austin is proclaimed by The New York Times as "a company with big ambitions" originating work that is "absorbing." The Washington Post deems Ballet Austin "one of the nation's best kept ballet secrets." Mills works closely with 22 full-time professional dancers, recruited from an annual 30-city U.S. audition tour. Ballet Austin is among the 20 largest classical ballet companies in the country and also operates the largest combined training facility associated with a professional ballet company in the United States.

Ballet Austin's in-school and community engagement programs reach 31 Central Texas school districts, the clients of over 200 social service non-profits and over 57,000 Central Texas children and families each year.

The historic Paramount Theatre has stood at 713 Congress Avenue for more than 100 years, a timeless testament to the city's commitment to historic preservation, community and the arts. Her stage has been graced by sitting presidents, Academy, GRAMMY, Tony and Golden Globe-winning performers, magicians (we're talking Houdini), and even the occasional troupe of trained acrobatic kittens. With more than 250 performances each year, the Paramount continues the tradition of bringing diverse, creative experiences to Central Texas.

A non-profit organization, ZACH creates intimate theatre experiences that ignite the imagination, inspire the spirit, and engage the community. As Austin's leading professional producing theatre, ZACH employs more than 250 actors, musicians, and designers annually to create its own diverse array of nationally recognized plays and musicals under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Dave Steakley and Managing Director Elisbeth Challener. Each year, ZACH serves nearly 128,000 Central Texans - 55,000 of which are children and youth who participate in our education and outreach programs, as well as inspiring camps and classes. ZACH Theatre is honored to host private and community events across the beautiful rental-ready spaces on our three-stage campus located in the heart of Austin. Founded in 1932 and in its 85th Anniversary season, ZACH is the longest continuously running theatre company in the state of Texas, and one of the ten oldest in the country. Visit zachtheatre.org for more information.

ZACH Theatre's 2017-18 Season is sponsored in part, by The Moody Foundation, Baylor Scott & White Health, Dell, and Holiday Inn-Lady Bird Lake; and by grants from The Shubert Foundation, Junior League of Austin, The National Endowment for the Arts, Texas Commission on the Arts, and the Cultural Arts Division of The City of Austin Economic Development Department.

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