Professor Suzan Zeder Inducted into Austin Arts Hall of Fame

Playwright, educator

UT Professor of Playwriting Suzan Zeder has been named as one of eight Austinites who will be inducted into the Austin Arts Hall of Fame, class of 2007.

Every year for the past five years, members of the Austin Critics Table have voted a handful of Austin residents into the Austin Arts Hall of Fame in recognition for their contributions to the arts. Inductees represent all disciplines in the arts and include administrators, educators, patrons, and all types of artists.

This year’s inductees:

James Armstrong and Larry Connelly (Austin Lyric Opera, Ballet Austin, Zachary Scott Theatre Center, et al.) – patrons
Sally Jacques (Blue Lapis Light) – choreographer, arts advocate
Emily Little (Clayton Levy & Little Architects) – architect
Harold McMillan (DiverseArts, Austin Downtown Arts) – company founder, arts advocate
Ishmael Soto (University of Texas, Austin Community College) – artist, educator
Dan Welcher (University of Texas, KMFA 89.5FM) – composer, educator, organization founder
Suzan Zeder (University of Texas) – playwright, educator

Austin Chronicle arts critic Robert Faires is a member of the Austin Table of Critics and says this about Zeder:

“She's a playwright of national renown, a true pioneer in the field of theatre for young audiences. She's an outstanding educator and one of the fiercest advocates for new works that Austin has ever known. All you have to do is spend half a day at the New Works festival to see how deeply committed she is to making the space for young artists to create. Anyway, I just think she's a wonder, and the rest of the critics think so, too, and in this, a year when the festival is being held, seemed a particularly apt time to honor her.”

The new Hall of Famers will be recognized at the 2006-07 Austin Critics Table Awards ceremony, to be held on Monday, June 4, 7pm, at Cap City Comedy Club, 8120 Research.

For more information about Suzan Zeder, visit her bio page on the UT Theatre & Dance website.

Visit the Austin Chronicle for complete information.