ZACH's 75th Anniversary Season, and much more!

Preparations for ZACH’s 75th Anniversary 2007-08 Season are underway and we want you to know about some exciting changes happening at ZACH.

Currently ZACH is getting a much-needed MAKEOVER! Soon you will enjoy remodeled lobbies in both the Kleberg Stage and the Whisenhunt Stage. Stylish new furnishings donated by IKEA will complement the remodel created by award-winning interior designer Laurie Smith Design.

The Kleberg renovations include doubling the size of the women’s restrooms, providing new men’s facilities, new lighting, paint and carpet, an improved concession and box office area, and other needed physical improvements. Generous grant awards from the Lola Wright Foundation and ZACH patron Carolyn Bartlett have made it possible to install a new lighting grid above ZACH’s Kleberg stage and technical equipment that will enhance ZACH’s production capabilities. The renovations will also update spaces to comply fully with ADA standards.

Demolition of some interiors began on Monday, August 13, and due to the extensive remodeling, the Kleberg facility and the administrative offices have been vacated. ZACH staff are operating from temporary offices through mid-October. During the renovation, ZACH’s Box Office, Finance, Facilities, and Telemarketing Departments are all sharing ZACH’s studio space, located on the East side of ZACH’s Whisenhunt Stage/Administration building. ZACH’s Education, Marketing, and Production Department are being housed in the Grace and Andrew Groten Stage building, adjacent to the Whisenhunt at 1426 Toomey Rd., behind Schlotzsky’s. The Development and Capital Campaign offices are temporarily operating downtown at 6th and Congress, where ZACH Board President Mike Kennedy has generously provided space within Commercial Texas.

ZACH extends special thanks to the Benz Resource Group for donating their services as renovation project manager, and to Minor Moving LLC, Rollin Breed/Central Transportation Systems, and The Moving Experience for facilitating and executing our move out of the facilities.

Originally we planned to begin the new season this Fall, but in order to allow sufficient time for the completion of these extensive renovations, the first mainstage show will begin in January 2008. Renovations on the Whisenhunt facility will be completed in October for The Santaland Diaries and the Kleberg renovations will be finished in time for Rockin’ Christmas Party, which opens Thanksgiving weekend.

Our 75th Anniversary begins with the highly anticipated Porgy and Bess playing January 25 – February 3, 2008 at the brand new Austin Music Hall. ZACH’s reworking of Gershwin’s classic has been made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts as part of American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Artistic Genius. Our production will be drawing inspiration from the jazz, soul and R&B musical legacy of New Orleans in an all new interpretation created specifically for you by the team that created the highly acclaimed Jesus Christ Superstar.

In the meantime, enjoy ZACH’s hit production of Disney’s High School Musical, back by popular demand, at The Texas School for the Deaf’s R.L. Davis Auditorium September 28 – October 28, 2007. Call ZACH’s box office at 476-0541, x1 for tickets and additional information.

We appreciate your support and look forward to celebrating our 75th Diamond Anniversary with you!