Zak Berkman

Zak Berkman is the Founding Executive Director of Artistic Programming with Epic Theatre Ensemble. He is a writer, dramaturg, director, and producer. Prior to co-founding Epic, Zak was Associate to Broadway producer, Margo Lion (ANGELS IN AMERICA, JELLY’S LAST JAM), who provided him much evidence that provocative political theatre can be accessible and meaningful for audiences of diverse backgrounds and generations. As Epic’s lead Off-Broadway producer, Zak has overseen the company’s premiere productions of Sarah Ruhl's PASSION PLAY, NO CHILD… by Nilaja Sun (Epic Commission), HABITAT and PALACE OF THE END by Judith Thompson, EINSTEIN’S GIFT and A MORE PERFECT UNION by Vern Thiessen, MAHIDA’S EXTRA KEY TO HEAVEN by Russell Davis, and A HARD HEART by Howard Barker, as well as Epic’s revivals of TIME & THE CONWAYS by J.B. Priestley, Ibsen’s LITTLE EYOLF, and Shaw’s WIDOWERS’ HOUSES.

He has also produced numerous workshops, readings, and special events such as Epic’s Celebration of First Time Voters, the annual Sunshine Series Festival, and AS THE EPIC TURNS with Martha Byrne. Epic produced the World Premiere of Zak’s play, BEAUTY ON THE VINE, which was followed by a Chicago production and publication by Dramatist Play Service. The play has now been optioned by Dirty Rice Pictures to be turned into a film. Zak is a former script writer for the NBC soap opera, DAYS OF OUR LIVES, and his plays have been developed and seen at Soho Rep., The Lark Playwrights Center, Seattle Repertory Theatre, New York Stage & Film, Epic and others. He co-adapted the template scripts for ANTIGONE and THE VISIT for Epic’s in-school “Journey Series”, as well as Epic’s after-school ANTIGONE CONGRESS (“PIECES OF THE THRONE”). His new play, THE HARRASSMENT OF IRIS MALLOY, received an Epic workshop last season directed by Lisa Rothe, with Maggie Siff, Cotter Smith, Elizabeth Rich, and Tom Butler. Zak is also a member of the Lincoln Center Director’s Lab and recipient of Manhattan Theatre Club’s Jonathan Alper Directing Fellowship. 

Zak is married to Epic Founding Artist, Teri Lamm, and they are the proud parents of Eliot and Theo.