Zach Theatre, Austin, Appoints Clifford Hannon as General Manager

ZACH Theatre, Central Texas’ premier professional theatre, announces Cliff Hannon as the new General Manager. Hannon will work under the direction of Managing Director Jamie Herlich as an integral member of the senior leadership team, sitting at the intersection of the administrative, production, and artistic departments of the organization. 

“When I heard ZACH Theatre was hiring a General Manager, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. The clear perspective of the work onstage, the reputation in the community, and the incredible staff and artists made the decision to jump on board an easy one,” said Hannon. “To be a producing theatre in an arts-rich city such as Austin provides unique benefits. The opportunity to collaborate, reach new audiences, and rethink how we create and share art onstage and off is important for those to be a part of theatre’s evolution, and I look forward to evolving with it.”

Hannon will oversee ZACH’s day-to-day operations, including facilities, rentals, and IT while also leading the theatre’s union relationships and artist contracting operations in partnership with the production department. In this newly created position, Hannon will partner with the Director of Production, Director of Finance, Producing Artistic Director, and Managing Director to ensure effective, consistent, and aligned operations that support the overall health of the theatre.

The Green Bay, Wisconsin native has an extensive background in theatre and performing arts. Most recently General Manager at Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Hannon has a variety of theatre and management experience including Stage Management, Company Management, Property Management, and Business Operations. Beginning his theatre career in Colorado at the Denver Center Theatre Company, Hannon expanded his skillset and network throughout the community working with the Off Center @ The Jones and Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School and Camp. From there, Hannon moved east where he worked with the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford, CT before landing at Arena Stage in Washington, DC. 

“We’re so pleased to welcome Cliff to ZACH as he brings a combination of skills and energy needed to be successful in our new General Manager position,” said Herlich. “His background includes work at other respected regional not-for-profit theatres, as well as time outside the sector, which will allow him to bring new perspective and ideas to ZACH as we continue to rebuild coming out of pandemic closures.”

The search was conducted by Management Consultants for the Arts, led by Emike Abe as consultant.