Now in his 30th season, Dave Steakley is the creative force behind Zach Theater, dedicated to making it a theater of, by, and for Austin. Under his visionary leadership, Zach has become a bold, inclusive space where diverse voices and perspectives take center stage, sparking dialogue, connection, and community.
A driving force behind the creation of the Topfer theater, which opened in 2012 with a celebrated production of Ragtime, Dave has led Zach in producing multiple world premieres by acclaimed playwrights including Terrence McNally, Anna Deavere Smith, Steven Dietz, Jaston Williams, and Everett Quinton. His groundbreaking productions include the first-ever bilingual adaptation of Jesucristo Superstar and a nationally recognized jazz/R&B reinvention of The Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, set in post-Katrina New Orleans, praised by The New York Times.
At Zach, Dave has directed a wide-ranging and impactful lineup of productions, including:
- The Ballad of Klook and Vinette, Once, Sunday in the Park with George, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
- All the Way, The Great Society, Disney’s Mary Poppins, Next to Normal, August: Osage County, Rent, Caroline, or Change
- Angels in America, The Gospel at Colonus, Dreamgirls, and the first professional repertory production of The Laramie Project and The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later
Beyond Zach, his regional directing credits include Actors theater of Louisville, Lyric theater of Oklahoma, WaterTower theater, and Pittsburgh’s City theater. As a playwright, he is the creative mind behind Zach’s beloved A Christmas Carol, Rockin’ Christmas Party, and Keepin’ It Weird, which have been featured on CBS Sunday Morning, NPR, The Wall Street Journal, and American theater.
Dave’s influence extends far beyond the stage—he has served as a panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts, the Texas Commission on the Arts, and the National Alliance for Musical theater.
- Two-time honoree of “Dave Steakley Day” in Austin (2001 & 2011)
- 2013 Human Rights Campaign Austin Visibility Award
- Austin Chronicle’s “Best Stage Director” – Seven-time winner
- Austin Circle of Theaters’ “Outstanding Contribution to Austin theater” Award
- Dancing with the Stars Austin Champion (2009)
- Cameo in Richard Linklater’s Bernie (2012)
Through bold storytelling, artistic risk-taking, and a deep connection to Austin’s creative spirit, Dave continues to ensure that Zach Theater is a place where every story—and every person—shines.
