Zach Theater Celebrates the Reveal of Its 2026-27 Season Lineup
The evening offered a first look at the Austin theater’s upcoming lineup, with live performances and special tributes
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Zach Theater revealed its 2026-27 lineup during a Season Announcement Party on May 5, 2026, in the Topfer Theater. Guests gathered for a cocktail hour at The Loren Hotel Austin before heading to a packed house filled with season ticket holders, subscribers and members of the wider Zach community.
The evening opened with a performance of “Hard Knock Life” by the young actors starring in Zach’s summer production of “Annie.”
Producing Artistic Director Dave Steakley then introduced “Liberation,” a new American play that had earned the Pulitzer Prize for Drama the day before and received five Tony Award nominations that morning. He also unveiled a new multi-year initiative dedicated to bringing works by acclaimed female playwrights and composers to Zach Theater. Later in the evening, Michael Barnes of the Austin American-Statesman inducted Steakley into the Artists Hall of Fame, followed by a tribute video honoring his 35 years at the theater.
Steakley and Associate Artistic Director Cassie Abate announced a season balancing modern stories with beloved classics, including “Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None,” “Peter Pan Goes Wrong,” “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” and “Go, Dog. Go! | Ve Perro ¡Ve!”
The evening closed with a series of performances that offered a preview of the season ahead. Aerialist Sophie Beck, who appeared in last summer’s “The Wizard of Oz,” performed “Part of Your World” from “The Little Mermaid,” while Zach Theater alum Nova Payton brought the stage to life with selections from “The Color Purple.” By the end of the night, guests left with a sense of excitement for what’s next at Zach Theater.