Next up on the Directors Assemble! series, we have Zach R., director of Spy School by D. M. Larson. This is his second year as a student director with Encore Stage & Studio, and we are excited to welcome him back. Before directing, he played many roles at Encore, including but not limited to: Fritz in Swiss Family Robinson and Ray Rabbit in What Makes a Winner. Check out our exclusive interview with him!
Hi Zach! Which show are you directing, and can you tell us about it?
I am directing Spy School – A whimsical and comical classroom with a few surprises.
Why did you choose this play?
I selected this one-act because I have never done a comedy before. Comedic elements and timing is a new area for me.
Monster Survival Skills During a Gremlin Outbreak. (courtesy Emma Crawford)
Last year you directed at our first ever Student Directed One-Act Plays. What are you looking forward to about being a returning director?
Being my second time directing, I looking forward to building on the skills I learned last year and bring out the best in my cast. Directing is so much fun.
Leading up to directing at Encore Stage & Studio, what shows have you participated in here?
What Makes a Winner – Ray Rabbit (2023), Charlotte’s Web – Homer Zuckerman (2023), Reindeer Games – Shredder (2023), Swiss Family Robinson – Fritz (2024) Student Directed One-Act Plays – Director of Monster Survival Skills and Metropolis Man, The Wizard of Oz – Uncle Henry (2025).
What are you looking forward to most about the directing process?
Sharing the experience with the cast and the other directors.
Who is a director that you look up to?
Back in 2024, I acted in Swiss Family Robinson with Stephanie Kilpatrick as the director. She is such an amazing director and I hope to be as skilled as she is some day. She had clear vision for the show, and communicated it well to the actors. Stephanie was able to bring out the best in all of us.
The Mystery of Edwin Drood. (Photo provided by Zach)
What is your proudest moment in theatre?
The past winter I was in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, where I not only sang two solo songs, but also acted with an accent.
With this being Encore’s Season of Dreams, what are your goals for this production?
I hope to help kids accomplish their dreams through theater.
What are you most excited for audiences to see in Student Directed One-Act Plays?
The actor’s talents.
Since you’ve directed before, what is your advice to directors directing for their first time this year, and in future years at Encore?
Have fun and enjoy the process.
Thank you Zach for sharing your insights on your directing process! We are looking forward to catching Spy School at Student Directed One-Acts. You can purchase your tickets today for the performance at Theatre on the Run, running from April 17-19. We will also be highlighting more directors on the blog, stay tuned to see who’s next!
Zach R. (He/Him) is a junior at HB Woodlawn. This is his 10th production and his second time directing for Encore. Last year, he directed Metropolis Man and Monster Survival Skills During a Gremlin Outbreak. Some of Zach’s more recent acting credits include Fritz in Swiss Family Robinson, Professor Plum in Clue, The Wolf in Into the Woods and Bazzard in The Mystery of Edwin Drood. He hopes you enjoy the Student Directed One-Act plays.
Photos courtesy of Cindy Kane Photography, Emma Crawford, and provided by Zach.