Today we’re kicking off our “Meet the Directors” series on the Front Row Blog! Meet Zach R, director of Metropolis Man and Monster Survival Skills During a Gremlin Outbreak by D.M. Larson. Zach has been involved with Encore for almost 4 years, and his onstage credits include Charlotte’s Web, What Makes a Winner, Reindeer Games, The Adventures of the Swiss Family Robinson, and our upcoming production of The Wizard of Oz. He has also been on crew for 3 productions. We interviewed Zach to learn a little about what made him interested in this opportunity, so read on to hear more!
Encore: Why did you choose to be a director?
I enjoy working with actors and teaching the younger kids how to use their creative minds to make a show.
Encore: Why did you choose the play you’re directing?
I chose two shows that I thought would be fun for the kids to act in and the audience to enjoy.
Encore: What has been your favorite part of the process so far?
So far, I’ve enjoyed talking about character development with the actors.
Encore: Who is a director that inspires you, and why?
Stephanie Kilpatrick, the director from the “The Adventures of the Swiss Family Robinson”- inspired me. She was such a talented director and brought out the best in all the actors.
Encore: This season is Encore’s Season of Courage, what part of this season has taken courage for you to pull off?
This is a hard question, I think directing and possibly singing on stage for the first time.
Encore: What are your favorite parts of theatre?
Although I enjoy directing, I love acting on stage.
Encore: What are you most excited for audiences to see at Student Directed One Act Plays?
I’m excited for the audience to see the talented actors bring out the humor in the scripts.
Encore: This is our first season doing student directed one act plays, what advice would you give to directors in future seasons?
Spread the word of the auditions and the shows.
Thanks for taking the time to check in with us, Zach! We’ve got 4 more directors to meet, so check back every few days to see who is next. And be sure to get your tickets to Student Directed One-Acts, don’t miss their weekend at Theatre on the Run!
Interview by Emma Crawford, edited by Parker Nelson. Photos by Emma Crawford. Performances of Metropolis Man and Monster Survival Skills During a Gremlin Outbreak by D.M. Larson produced with permission from freedrama.net.