ZACH Theatre’s Roots and Branches

ZACH Theatre opened as the Austin Little Theatre in 1932. Formally known as the Zachary Scott Theatre Center, this non-profit professional theatre company is the longest continuously running theatre company in Texas and one of ten original resident theatre companies in the United States.

Today, ZACH boasts three performance stages, classrooms, and offices serving more than 100,000 patrons. Plays, musicals, original works, and children’s productions make up more than 500 performances yearly at ZACH. It also provides education and outreach programs, and exciting camps and classes serving thousands of children throughout Central Texas. More than 300 actors, musicians, and designers are employed by the ZACH.

Who was Zachary Scott and Why Name a Theatre Company in His Honor?

As a fan of classic movies, I know who Zachary Scott is, but his name is not widely known today. I first saw Zachary Scott in “Mildred Pierce” on Turner Classic Movies. He played Monte Beragon, the two-timing boyfriend of Joan Crawford’s title character who ends up dead by the end of the film. He was a native son of Austin who got his start at the Austin Little Theatre, which later became the Austin Civic Theatre. Scott died of cancer in 1965.

Zachary Scott’s sister was the major donor when Austin Civic needed a new stage for the theater in 1968. The family stipulated that it be renamed for Zachary Scott. He may not be very well known today, but in the lobby of the John R. Whisenhunt Arena Theatre of the ZACH, you will find a comprehensive life story of the theater complex’s namesake.

ZACH Looks to the Future

ZACH offers educational opportunities for children interested in the theatre arts. The Performing Arts School at ZACH opened in 1970. Today, classes are offered for ages 3.5 through grade 12. Creative Drama offers a variety of classes for the youngest students. Students explore the use of body, voice, and imagination while learning ensemble skills and creative problem-solving. Theatre Skills classes are for students in grade 3 – 12. Participants explore theatre fun while gaining confidence, sharing ideas, and learning actor’s tools. The Pre-Professional Program offers serious students the intense training needed to pursue a career in the theatre. The Pre-Professional Company takes classroom training and applies it to the stage. For those interested in attending university to study theatre, there is the College Bound Conservatory for high school students. Auditions are required and only 12 students are accepted at each grade level.

More Information and Credits

We are very pleased that ZACH Theatre chose Recollections for their specific historical fashion need. Information for this post comes from the ZACH Theatre Web site.

To find out more about ZACH Theatre, please visit: http://www.zachtheatre.org/
To learn more about Zachary Scott, please visit: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0779923/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm