is now in his 31st season, and is dedicated to creating a theatre of, by and for Austin. Led by Dave’s vision, the creation of the Topfer Theatre came to fruition, opening in October 2012 with the acclaimed musical Ragtime. Dave is committed to a dialogue that is inclusive, because other voices and other perspectives enrich our lives, and help us to become more empathic and thoughtful people. He relishes the opportunity to engage our Central Texas region in a lively, meaningful dialogue to cultivate a greater sense of community for everyone who calls Austin home. Dave envisions ZACH as the meeting tent where our community gathers because it has investment, ownership, and representation in our creative work.

With Dave as artistic leader, ZACH has produced multiple World Premieres by Terrence McNally, Anna Deavere Smith, Steven Dietz, Jaston Williams, Everett Quinton, John Walch, Allen Robertson, and The Flaming Idiots. ZACH served as the Central Texas hub of the nationwide 365 Plays/365 Days Festival by Suzan-Lori Parks. Dave created the first bilingual adaptation of Webber and Rice’s musical Jesucristo Superstar, and set The Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess in Katrina-ravaged New Orleans with a jazz/RandB reinvention, which received national acclaim from The New York Times.

The City of Austin Mayor declared, May 18, 2001 and October 22, 2011 as “Dave Steakley Day” on the occasion of his 10th and 20th ZACH Anniversaries. He is the recipient of the 2005 Austin Circle of Theaters’ “Outstanding Contribution to Austin Theatre” Award, and seven Austin Chronicle “Best of Austin Best Stage Director” awards. In 2009, he was crowned Austin Dancing with the Stars Champion, and he has a cameo in Richard Linklater’s 2012 film Bernie with Jack Black.