The Theatre Conservatory

David Zak, director
The Theatre Conservatory Faculty

David Zak (Director) has been Artistic Director of Bailiwick Repertory since it’s founding in 1982. He is most proud of the many new works that have premiered at Bailiwick, including the recent hit musical DR. SEX (recipient of 7 Jeff Citations, including Best New Work, Best Musical, and Best Direction of a Musical) and SIN: A CARDINAL DEPOSED (Jeff Citation Outstanding Adaptation) and THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER, which since it premiered at Bailiwick 12 years ago has been seen around the country and internationally.

Recent projects have included PARADE (Jeff Citation for Outstanding Production and Direction among, others), NAKED BOYS SINGING! which recently completed a 52 month run, MARLOWE (Award Winner at 2005 New York International Fringe Festival), OH, HOLY ALLEN GINBSERG at the Third International Gay Theatre Festival in Dublin, BREATHE for the ASCAP/Disney Musical Theater Workshop in Chicago, BARENAKED LADS IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS, THE GOLEM for Chicago Jewish Theater, MISERY for PYEWACKET, POSEIDON: AN UPDSIDE DOWN MUSICAL for Hell In A Handbag Productions, which was featured in the 2003 New York Fringe Festival..

He has received After Dark Awards for Direction of SOUTHERN BAPTIST SISSIES, IN THE DEEP HEART’S CORE, and EQUUS. He has received Jeff Recommendations, Citations, or Awards for Direction of PARADE, DR. SEX, ANIMAL FARM, THE HIROSHIMA PROJECT, INCORRUPTIBLE, THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO, LIGHT IN THE HEART OF THE DRAGON, POPE JOAN, and SON FIRE. He has received Jeff Citations for Best New Work for THE HIROSHIMA PROJECT (with Anne V. McGravie, Dwight Okita, and Nicholas A Patricca) which has been performed around the world, and THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO (with Jeff Casazza), and he received a special Jeff Citation in 2003 for Bailiwick’s range of diverse programming. He has received MacMurray College’s Distinguished Career Alumni Award, the Community Service Award from the Chicago Hearing Society, the Torch Award from the Human Rights Campaign, and been inducted with Bailiwick’s Pride Series into the City of Chicago’s Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame. He has recently turned his photographic hobby into a small photo studio – www.davidgzak.com. He is very excited about his projects for the Bailiwick@25! Celebration, including MY FAVORITE YEAR, THE OLDEST PROFESSION, and JERRY SPRINGER: THE OPERA.

The Theatre Conservatory The Faculty

David Zak, Director
Bailwick Repertory Theatre