Otto Zagala is a composer, director, and bon vivant whose practice is deeply research-driven, drawing on experimental production, text, and performance
pedagogy, and on where they may overlap and coincide.

Otto’s recent collaborations include Assistant Director to Cameron Taylor on Kitty Litter by Hamish Johnston (2026) and Composer for Gia Ophelia by Grace Wilson (2025). In his second year of study, Cultural Binge described his work as “excellent design worthy of a much larger production”. Both works were critically acclaimed, extended due to demand, and are in development for return seasons.

Otto’s dramatic sensibilities are closely scored by gesamtkunstwerk, the concept of theatre as a total artistic medium. The conversation between scenographic elements leads their work, particularly how musical elements are informed by movement and architecture.

He composed, designed video for, and co-wrote the new Australian musical, The Birds, presented at NIDA’s Festival of Emerging Artists.

NIDA Productions

Other Productions

Secondments

Image credits

Image 1: Phillip Erbacher
Image 2: Cameron Taylor
Image 3: Alice Vance
Image 4: Jacquie Manning