Zachary Scott Theatre Center

About the Theatre

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 that are timely and relevant to Central Texas audiences, under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Dave Steakley and Managing Director Elisbeth Challener. Each year, ZACH serves over 125,000 Central Texans – over 55,000 of which are children and youth who participate in our education and outreach programs, as well as inspiring camps and classes.

Review: NEWSIES at Bastrop Opera House

by Victoria Schwarz · September 15, 2026

Bastrop Opera House’s NEWSIES shines with exceptional young talent, strong vocals, athletic choreography, and heartfelt performances, bringing humor, energy, and plenty of charm to this intimate stage.…

Review: THE YELLOW WALLPAPER at The Archive Theater

by Joni Lorraine · September 10, 2026

Just want to say, right away, I’m absolutely recommending THE YELLOW WALLPAPER. It seems in times like these that many of us would seek a more uplifting way to spend two hours, but stick with me. This one is relevant, important, and just about perfectly executed.…

Review: FIRE WORK at The VORTEX Theatre

by Victoria Schwarz · September 9, 2026

What did our critic think of FIRE WORK at The VORTEX Theatre?…

Review: THE RECIPE BOX at Austin Rainbow Theatre

by Sabrina Wallace · September 8, 2026

Del Shores serves up heartbreak, outrageous humor, and plenty of Southern charm in The Recipe Box, a moving story about losing the life you thought you had and discovering something unexpected in its place.…

Review: AND SHE WAS LOVED at Black Rose Theater

by Sabrina Wallace · September 7, 2026

Poetry, jazz, movement, and imagination come together in And She Was Loved, Zell Miller III’s deeply personal exploration of grief, family, and Black culture. The world premiere is a unique and promising debut for Austin’s new Black Rose Theater.…

Review: AVENUE Q at City Theatre Austin

by Sabrina Wallace · September 3, 2026

City Theatre Austin’s Avenue Q brings its mischievous neighborhood to life with a fabulous ensemble, expressive puppetry, strong vocals, and a clever, functional set. The cast delivers the musical’s irreverent comedy and surprisingly heartfelt story with energy, skill, and plenty of personality.…

Review: COME FROM AWAY at The Topfer At Zach Theater

by Sabrina Wallace · August 27, 2026

ZACH Theatre’s Come From Away is a joyous, almost flawless production powered by a superb ensemble, clever staging, and infectious music. This true story of strangers helping strangers finds humor and hope in tragedy and leaves you with a warm reminder of what people can be.…

Review: ANIMALES NOCTURNOS at Teatro Espacio

by Sabrina Wallace · August 25, 2026

Teatro Espacio makes a brave and timely choice with Juan Mayorga’s Animales nocturnos, presented entirely in Spanish. Its striking design frames a chilling story about immigration, coercion, and the dangerous power one person can hold over another’s future.…

Review: EMILIANA: A REVOLUTION CABARET at Ground Floor Theatre

by Sabrina Wallace · August 24, 2026

Ground Floor Theatre’s production of Emiliana: A Revolution Cabaret blends Mexican history, queer identity, music, comedy, and tragedy in a bold theatrical experience. Jessica Peña Torres, Rai González Cartagena, and Diana Patricia Guizado make this original work unforgettable.…

Review: THE SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS at Cold Frame Collective

by Sabrina Wallace · August 21, 2026

Cold Frame Collective has fun with Goldoni’s The Servant of Two Masters, a fast-paced farce packed with mistaken identities, disguises, ridiculous young lovers, meddling fathers, physical comedy, and one hungry servant trying to keep two jobs without either boss finding out.…

The Santaland Diaries

Dec 5 – Dec 29, 2018

David Sedaris’ ever-irreverent and cynical Crumpet is baaaack! The outlandish tale of a Macy’s elf merrily jingles to life in the intimate Whisenhunt at ZACH Theatre. In this holiday cult-classic, Crumpet sarcastically expounds on the talent it takes to juggle tinsel, tearful...

Holiday Heroes

Dec 8

Due to demand, the original Holiday Heroes returns with some new songs and surprises! In this hilariously fun holiday sing-along, students get into the spirit with Ernie and Rufus. Celebrate the season with singing, laughter, and cheer for all.

Terrence McNally 80th Birthday Gala Performance

Nov 12

ZACH Theatre, in partnership with the Harry Ransom Center, announces a weekend of star-studded events celebrating four-time Tony Award®-winning playwright and LGBT activist Terrence McNally. On Monday, November 12, ZACH will host Terrence McNally’s 80th Birthday Gala Performance...

Once

Sep 19 – Oct 28, 2018

Based on the 2007 Academy Award®-winning film, Once is an enchanting, modern love story about the complexities of relationships and the power of music to connect us all. Once tells the story of an Irish musician and a Czech immigrant drawn together by their shared love of music...

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Jul 11 – Sep 2, 2018

Be Our Guest! This “tale as old as time” follows Belle, a book-smart and adventurous young woman and Beast, a formerly dashing young prince cursed by an enchantress. If the Beast cannot learn to love and be loved in return, he and his household including Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs...

Heisenberg

Jun 20 – Jul 22, 2018

Amidst the crowds of a London train station, Georgie, a delightfully quirky woman, spots Alex, a much older man, and impulsively plants a kiss on his neck. This electric encounter thrusts these two strangers into a fascinating game of love that is never what it seems. In the...

Sunday in the Park with George

May 30 – Jun 24, 2018

Stephen Sondheim’s Pulitzer Prize-winning musical masterpiece is a living painting by artist Georges Seurat, and centers on the artist as he discovers unimaginable possibilities while creating an enduring work of art. Seurat, known for juxtaposing points of multi-colored paint...

Find Your Light

May 11 – May 13, 2018

FIND YOUR LIGHT is a Musical Theatre Revue that takes the audience through the journey of what it truly takes to be a Musical Theatre Performing Artist. The Artist’s tell their story, from their perspective, about creativity, disappointment, acceptance, vulnerability...

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Jan 31 – Mar 4, 2018

Winner of the 2015 Tony Award for Best New Play, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a “dazzling, pulse-pounding and remarkable” (Time Out New York) adaptation of Mark Haddon’s internationally best-selling novel. Fifteen-year-old Christopher has an extraordinary...

A Christmas Carol

Nov 22 – Dec 31, 2017

Austin’s most rockin’ holiday tradition returns to make merry with a new music to get the party started! ZACH’s inspired adaptation of the Dickens’ classic is a musical sleigh ride through rhythm and time, infusing the traditional Victorian story with a musical score that spans...