Biography
Mr. Zarate has over 20 years of professional experience in Theatre. He has served as Artist-in-Education for the State of Oregon and served as the Director of Arts for the Washington Institute for Leadership. He is a nationally recognized Playwright and Director and is a member of Actors Equity. He has served as a National Juror for the American Multicultural Festival and has served as Artistic Director for several professional theaters. He has received numerous awards for artistic excellence.
He is the Founder and Board Chairman of CreateAustin, to which he brings leadership, vision and a wealth of experience in Theatre, Technology and Business to the organization. The CreateAustin Cultural Master Plan is the result of a two-year process of community engagement undertaken to chart a course for Austin’s cultural development over the next ten years in order to invigorate Austin’s “culture of creativity” and to sustain the City as a magnet for arts, culture and creativity.
Manuel Zarate is currently the President of HBMG, Inc., an Austin company providing information technology services to a range of clients across several industries. What began as a one-man graphics and Web development company in 2001, has had explosive growth, expanding its client base across four states and growing from 3 employees to 45. The company has distinguished itself as a leader in software development and information technology systems.
Director-playwright Manuel Zarate was founder and artistic director for Third Coast, a new company blending top national talent with Austin artists. Its inaugural season included: Inherit the Wind, by Lawrence & Lee; Sonata Escondido, by Zarate; The Songs of Christmas, a company generated piece; The Meeting, by Stetson.