Arts Educator: An arts educator at the elementary, secondary, or university level who has shown exemplary dedication and commitment to teaching, advising and mentoring art students.
MARK A. ZIMMERMAN
Mark A. Zimmerman has served as theatre director at the Akron School for the Arts since 1995 and has been the guiding force for the educational theatre program named “Outstanding School” by the Educational Theatre Association in 2013. Shows under his direction have to date earned eight Dazzle Awards from the Northeast Ohio Musical Theatre Competition including “Best Musical” in 2018. Zimmerman has been among the first area directors to present many musical productions including: The Prom (2022) The Little Mermaid (2016), Ghost the Musical (2015), Mary Poppins (2014), Monty Python’s Spamalot (2013), The Color Purple (2012), Legally Blonde (2012), Hairspray (2011), The Producers (2009), Side Show (2008), and Urinetown (2007). Mark’s local directing credits include productions at the Akron Civic Theatre’s All-City Musical (Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast, Shrek, Bye Bye Birdie, Ragtime, Hairspray) as well as productions at the Cleveland Public Theatre, Weathervane Playhouse, Stow Players, the Western Reserve Playhouse, Coach House Theatre, and the University of Akron. He is a member of the state chapter board of the Ohio Educational Theatre Association.
