About Us

In 1999, the Zumbrota Area Arts Council (ZAAC) launched its first theatrical production with a holiday staging of The Nutcracker, created in partnership with Robyn Hoven and the Zumbrota Dance Studio. The collaboration continued for several years and marked the beginning of ZAAC’s commitment to community theatre.

A year later, ZAAC ventured into musical theatre. Bye Bye Birdie was produced in September 2000 at the Zumbrota-Mazeppa High School auditorium under director Jim Borden. Featuring a large cast of local adults and teens, the show drew such enthusiastic audiences that a second weekend of performances was added. Its success helped cement the idea that theatre should become a ZAAC tradition. By the mid-2000s, the community theatre group adopted the name “Z-Theatre” and began operating under ZAAC as its parent organization.

At the same time, Pine Island had its own tradition of staging major musicals every other year. Because both communities drew from the same talent pool, ZAAC chose to alternate its musical seasons with Pine Island’s to support participation in both.

ZAAC’s second production, Hello, Dolly! directed by Daved Driscoll, opened in September 2002 at the Z-M High School. Driscoll returned to direct The Music Man in 2004 and Arsenic and Old Lace the following fall. His final show for ZAAC, My Fair Lady, was staged in September 2006.

In 2008, Z-Theatre paused its productions while the Z-M High School underwent major renovations and its auditorium was unavailable.

Around this time, a new opportunity arose. Zumbrota’s historic State Theatre became available as a performance venue when owners Bob and Connie Hawley—longtime champions of the arts—ended regular movie showings due to changes in the film industry. Eager to see live theatre return to the space, they offered the venue to Z-Theatre, reviving a decades-old tradition of performances at the State.

Z-Theatre’s first production at the State Theatre was Nunsense in August 2010, directed by Cathy Nagler. With capacity crowds and strong local sponsorship, the production was a hit and reaffirmed the community’s hunger for live theatre.

At the end of 2011, ZAAC purchased the State Theatre, preserving both the historic building and Zumbrota’s artistic heritage. Since spring 2012, the theatre has hosted live music, plays, films, speakers, and a wide range of community events.

Fueled by the enthusiasm for Nunsense, Lori Rauen and JC Koepsell directed Forever Plaid in August 2012. The laugh-filled production again drew full houses and renewed interest in more frequent programming.

In the summer of 2013, Z-Theatre premiered Don’t Tell My Wife, an original comedy by Rochester playwright Joan Sween and directed by Eric Decker. The following summer brought two musicals to the State Theatre: Bingo! The Winning Musical in July, directed by Sandra Miller, and Circus of Terror in August—an original work by local playwrights Luke Davidson and Jonathan Horn. Circus of Terror delighted audiences and later earned recognition as one of nine selections for The New Voices Project, a prestigious musical theatre development program in Los Angeles.

After 2014, Z-Theatre entered a period of re-energizing while several members pursued further education. Recruiting directors, production volunteers, and cast members—always a challenge—became even more difficult as community free time grew scarce. Still, the spirit of Z-Theatre remained open, welcoming, and committed to encouraging community participation.

In 2018, Zumbrota native and experienced performer Dylon Starr approached Z-Theatre with a proposal to revive live theatre locally. Fresh off directing a highly successful production of Legally Blonde at Z-M High School, he brought renewed energy and leadership to the organization. Under Starr’s direction, Z-Theatre returned to the stage in 2019 with Return to the Forbidden Planet, a rock-and-roll musical that blends Shakespeare’s The Tempest with campy sci-fi flair.

Since then, Z-Theatre has produced musicals annually—except for a brief pause during Covid. Recent productions include Nunsense (revived), Mamma Mia, Murder Ballad, [title of show], The Bikinis, The Odd Couple (female version), and Lutheran Ladies Luncheon, written by local talents Lori Rauen, Dylon Starr, and Kyle Mehrkens. The company also stages an annual Christmas variety show, Jingle All the Way, along with smaller productions throughout the year.