My Timeline
Zach Rivera is an emerging theatre-practitioner based in Jacksonville, FL. Originally from a small town in Central FL, Zach's directorial intrigue is always being expanded upon and worked toward. He's found that, in regard to his vision, it includes all things non-traditional. With passions for experimental, and devised forms of theatre he strives to create work that differs from the status quo of theatrical form.
“ Zach’s comedic timing is impeccable. His physicality and facial expressions range from vaudevillian to subtle shnark. But what really gets me is how I’m laughing one minute, and then his vulnerability kicks me in the gut and makes me cry! And my gosh that voice!”
- Samantha Stern (Actress, Improviser, Educator)
During his time at Daytona State College (2017-2019), Zach performed in many plays and musicals, but he also sparked his passion for directing when he directed Harold Pinter's The Dumb Waiter.
In fall of 2019 he transferred to Jacksonville University, as a Junior, where he assistant directed Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. in Spring of 2020 Zach was slated to direct an original devised piece of theatre entitled /agape/, funded by the Jacksonville University office of research and student projects, but due to COVID-19 it was cancelled.
“Zach is a stellar director. His talents as a performer enhance his ability to communicate with actors and technical artists, making the sometimes very rough edges of directing all the smoother. He has keen eyes and an open heart and his work shines brightly.”
- Erik DeCicco (Actor, Director, Educator)
So Instead, He founded Earworm Audio Theatre: A podcast theatre company. Every week the Earworm team, consisting of himself and his wonderful Fiancee (now wife) Elizabeth, rehearsed and performed a new piece, and discussed its implications and intentions to today's world. Each work was performed under Zach's direction. Earworm is truly a passion project for Zach, in his search for non-traditional methods of creating theatre, and accessibility in the arts. Earworm can be heard most anywhere podcasts are available and has been listened to on 6 continents. Link Below:
Outside of Earworm, he also produced the first Jacksonville University Playwriting Bake-Off alongside collaborator Isabella Martinez. In this exercise they received multiple submissions from playwrights in Jacksonville, and selected one show to receive a digital "zoom" reading. Zach worked directly with playwright Cecilia Depres to create a digital reading of her new play Powder, which was released 4/25/2020. Link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mEnuAtdiDU&t=4s
In May of 2020, Zach was asked to direct for the NEXTWORKS digital theatre festival, a festival of new works written by emerging playwrights. He directed the piece Problematic Virus with a cast consisting of actors in all corners of the country. This festival was postponed out of respect and solidarity for the protests by Black Lives Matter. The later uploaded production can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEZixszJ-bc&t=1040s
Zach has also been featured as a director for the LA based company Theatre is the Cure, a weekly showing of original short pieces by playwrights located around the globe. This was his first dip into professional work, and he was glad to be a frequently invited artist for the project. Through his connections made here, he was brought on to direct a developmental table read for Off Broadway Playwright Robin Rice’s new play Climbing the Good Walls, for the 29th Street Playwright Collective in New York City. His most recent collaborations with Rice were in the form of staged readings of her plays Pecking Order (Goddard Riverside) and Adapt or Die (The TankNYC) in the Spring of 2021.
“Zach is a playwright's dream director. He took hold of my large-cast, multi-subplotted, unusually-structured play "Climbing the Good Walls," cast it impeccably and directed a presentation that was clear as a bell yet maintained every ounce of magic. Zach is smart, creative and welcomes collaboration. I would love to have him direct my plays in the future.”
- Playwright Robin Rice
Zach is always working on something new. One of these projects was a BIPOC theatre collective called Opus. The aim of this collective was to support new work by BIPOC playwrights and hand the developmental process to BIPOC directors across the country. Zach is extremely proud that the first result of this collective came in the Spring of 2021, in the form of playwright Jalice Corral’s new play Axe Your Mother produced by Jacksonville University’s Linda Berry Stein College of Fine Arts, and Directed by Zach himself.
In November of 2020, it was announced that Zach has been nominated for honors by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for his directorial work on Jacksonville University’s latest production of Diastole. He was (and still is!) incredibly honored to be included among other great directors for such a prestigious occasion. During his time at the festival in February of 2021, Zach competed in the SDC Directing Initiative, became a finalist, and earned 3rd place for his conceptual work on the script for Shoe by Marisela Trevino Orta. While in the end he came in third, he was one of two students in his region to receive scholarship funding to attend the Kennedy Center Directing Intensive in July 2021, where he had the opportunity to work with likeminded artists under the guidance of an amazing group of teaching artists (Nicole Watson, Raymond Caldwell, Kelsey Mesa).
The summer of 2021 was a crazy time for many. During this time Zach graduated Summa Cum Laude from Jacksonville University with his BFA in Musical Theatre as well as being named Linda Berry Stein College of Fine Arts Student of the Year. After that he started a nonprofit theatre company mentioned below, and directed its first performance, The Florida Archives, as part of The 5 & Dime’s Short Attention Span Festival in August of 2021.
November of 2021 saw Zach continue his work with The 5 & Dime as Assistant Director for Larissa Fasthorse’s The Thanksgiving Play. After the successful run of this play, he was asked to step into the role of House Manager for the organization, as well as being hired to direct Karen Zacarias’s Native Gardens. This production concluded its sold out run at the Florida Ballet in June of 2022.
Speaking of 2022, this is also when he began his journey and passion in educational theatre. He built from the ground up the theatre program at Greenwood School, a school in Jacksonville for students with learning differences. Bringing mainstage theatre productions, new classes, and a competitive thespian troupe, Zach was promoted to Chair of the Enrichment Department, overseeing the electives and arts courses at the school.
In March of 2023 Zach had two productions he directed premiere: Let Me Down Easy with The 5 & Dime, and The Little Mermaid Jr. with his Greenwood School Students, many of whom attended the State Festival and earned their troupe its first Superior ratings.
In the Summer of 2023 he made a triumphant return to the stage in the form of playing Rafael in Lynn Nottage’s Clyde’s as well as Michael in Jonathan Larson’s Tick, Tick….BOOM!, both of which played to sold out houses at The 5&DIme.
Zach, in his portrayal of Michael, brings an embodiment of warmth, encouragement, and sometimes irksome mentorship. His performance not only drew us in but fostered a deep affection for his character. The emotional arc of his story is profoundly moving and heart-wrenching.
- Ray Hollister, JaxPlays
This brought us to the beginning of 2024 where Zach saw two new directorial opportunities arise. The first was in the form of directing Greenwood School’s first-ever full length Main Stage production: The Addams Family School Edition. This production enjoyed an entirely sold out run at the school seating hundreds at a school that serves less than 200 students! The second was in the form of making his debut at Players by the Sea Theatre in Jacksonville Beach by directing Alice Childress’s comedy drama Trouble in Mind on their main stage.
Before school let out for the 2023-2024 school year, he announced to the school that they were embarking on the next leg in their journey of growth by crafting their first TWO-SHOW season ever, with a play (John Cariani’s Almost, Maine) in the Fall and a musical (William Finn’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) in the Spring. Being a one man band in his department, and using only a gymnasium as their stage, this was a welcome announcement!
Oh…and he’s ALWAYS on the search for more theatrical opportunities for he and his students.
