FULL ZTP & ME INTERVIEW: KATE HIX
For this November 2017’s ZTP & Me interview, we chatted with Kate Hix, ZTP’s Executive Director, to learn more about what she loves about the Zilker Summer Musical, and what she’s excited about for ZTP’s 60th anniversary season.
ZTP: What was the first Zilker Summer Musical you ever saw? Kate: I remember Oklahoma! in 1993 so clearly. Scotty Roberts was my absolute favorite. It was all so magical, I begged my mom to bring me again and have been coming ever since!
ZTP: What are some of your favorite memories on The Hillside? Kate:In addition to bringing my own kids to The Hillside every summer, one of my favorite moments every year is watching the faces of the kids in the crowd light up during the show every night.
Also, I will always remember the audience erupting in applause like I’d never heard before on the closing night of Hairspray (2015). It warmed my heart, and made me proud knowing that the cast and crew had worked so hard and were rewarded with such big, enthusiastic audiences.
ZTP: Why did you support ZTP even before you got involved as a volunteer, and later Executive Director? Kate: My mom – who still comes to the Zilker Summer Musical every season – would give me cash to drop in the buckets and I loved it. I asked for more bills so I could approach as many of the actors as possible. It was a small way to be a part of the magic of the show. Now my own daughter loves to drop money in the buckets and meet the actors.
At age 4, Maya is already a seasoned veteran, having attended Hairspray, Shrek The Musical and The Wizard of Oz multiple times. My youngest, Hudson, also enjoyed hanging out with me at The Hillside this summer. I know that Maya can’t wait to share her favorite part of the Zilker Summer Musical with him: eating cotton candy while everybody sings her favorite songs. The fact that a child so young can enjoy a musical over and over again (without disturbing other patrons like I’m sure she would inside a traditional quiet, dark theater) is such a magical experience to witness!
Kate Hix and her kids celebrating the Zilker Summer Musical
As a parent and a musical theater lover, I support Zilker Theatre Productions because I believe the Zilker Summer Musical is a crucially important Austin cultural treasure…and because I love to see the look on my daughter’s face when the first actors step onto the stage and the orchestra starts the overture at sunset. It is truly one of the most magical theater – and outdoor – experiences imaginable. Even if I weren’t the Executive Director of ZTP, I would still tear up at the magical moment the “curtain rises” on a Zilker Summer Musical!
ZTP: What is your Zilker Summer Musical dream show? Kate: I have a soft spot for “Bye Bye Birdie” even though it’s pretty dated and everyone says it’s overdone and not popular enough with young people. My dream role is Rosie.
ZTP: After 60 years, the Zilker Summer Musical has evolved and changed. What are some of the changes you’ve witnessed? What do you want to see in ZTP’s future? Kate: I started as a volunteer during The Music Man (2009)and became a Board member shortly after that show. I became Executive Director in 2013. All Shook Up will be my 10th summer with Zilker Theatre Productions.
Every year, ZTP is becoming more of a professional theatre company. In the future, I am excited to see how our growing staff, elevated production values, and expanded educational programming will impact the Austin community in even more ways.
MORE ABOUT KATE Kate is looking forward to all the festivities during the Elvis-inspired musical comedy All Shook Up – especially the Catered Preview for donors which will be the event of the season on The Zilker Hillside. Stay tuned to ZTP’s newsletters for details.
FULL ZTP& ME INTERVIEW: J. ROBERT MOORE In October 2017, we chatted with J. Robert Moore, ZTP’s new Artistic Director, to find out how he got started in the theatre, what he loves about the Zilker Summer Musical, and why he’s excited to be on the ZTP team.
Jimmy Moore (l) and Levi Stoneking (r) enjoyed ZTP’s Zilker Summer Musical Footloose in August 2011
ZTP: How did you get started working in musical theatre? Jimmy: I started acting around 10 years old, but my first professional gig was in the chorus of the musical “Camelot” when I was 16. Ten years after that, I was living and working in New York, and today, I am back in South Texas telling stories I love though song and dance. It’s been a great ride! . ZTP: What was the first Zilker Summer Musical you saw, and what are some of your favorite memories as an audience member on The Hillside? Jimmy: My first ZTP musical was Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (2006). I was so enchanted by the beauty of the choreography, and how well that story fit into the hillside setting. It was magical!
ZTP: What Zilker Summer Musicals have you been involved in, and in what capacity? Jimmy: I had been an audience member for several years, but last summer’s The Wizard of Oz was my first opportunity to work on The Hillside. It was an extraordinary experience, and I enjoyed it very much. I am thrilled to be making The Hillside my home as ZTP’s new Artistic Director.
ZTP: What do you most enjoy about being involved with the Zilker Summer Musical? Jimmy: I love the can-do spirit of the organization. Because it is driven by such passionate individuals, there is a tremendous drive to do the very best show we can for every audience. It’s inspiring to see everyone doing their part to help the organization grow and succeed.
ZTP: After 60 years, the Zilker Summer Musical has evolved and changed. What are some of the changes you’ve witnessed? What do you want to see in ZTP’s future? Jimmy: In the past few years, I have noticed a terrific increase in the quality of ZTP’s productions. Today, ZTP is truly creating Broadway-style musical theatre for Austin audiences. I hope to continue that tradition and help the company continue to grow and succeed.
ZTP: What is your Zilker Summer Musical dream show? Jimmy: There are so many shows filled with diversity, laughter, love, and music that I would be THRILLED to bring to The Zilker Hillside. But for now, I’m going to let our next couple of seasons answer this question for me…
WHAT’S NEXT FOR JIMMY… In summer 2018, Jimmy looks forward to directing the Elvis-inspired musical comedy All Shook Up, and planning some big community celebrations for ZTP’s 60th anniversary season. Sign-up and stay tuned to ZTP’s newsletters for details!
ZTP’s Oklahoma! (1993)
ZTP’s Hairspray (2015)
Jimmy Moore (l) and Levi Stoneking (r) enjoyed ZTP’s Zilker Summer Musical 
ZTP’s Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (2006)