ABOUT
My name is Zachary J. Willis, and I am an AEA actor, singer, and performer from Fort Worth, TX currently living in Dallas, TX.
I aspire to be the most fearless storyteller that I can be. All my life, I've been so fortunate to have the arts and a family who let me dive right in.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with numerous theatre companies in north Texas including Circle Theatre, Casa Mañana, The Firehouse Theatre, Jubilee Theatre, Plaza Theatre Company, Theatre Three, and Uptown Players as well as The Alley, Stages, and Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) in Houston, Texas. I am now a Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company member at the Tony Award-winning Dallas Theater Center. I’ve recently been blessed to share my talents around the country in Fayetteville, Arkansas (TheatreSquared), Louisville, Kentucky (Actors Theatre of Louisville), and even on the Las Vegas strip!
When I’m not performing, I enjoy painting, reading a book, or listening to a good podcast. Peanut butter is my weakness and I’m a full-fledged member of the Beyhive.
I'm so proud of where this craft has taken me and I look forward to whatever is up next.
That’s a pretty good starting point. Take a look around to learn more about me, my work, and my crazy. Thank you for visiting my site!
NEWS
Dallas Observer
Best In Dallas 2024
Best Community Theater - Dallas Theater Center
For 65 years, the Dallas Theater Center (DTC) has entertained audiences with iconic performances, productions and Tony Awards-winning entertainment. While star-studded appearances often fit the bill, it's the contributions of Dallas community members in the DTC Public Works program that often shine. Known to "deliberately blur the line between professional artists and Dallas community members," the Public Works program casts everyday people for top-tier theatrics. These centerstage stars are the heartbeats of the show, making a DTC performance not only fun to attend, but inspiring as well.
Disney’s The Little Mermaid
Dallas Theater Center | Dee & Charles Wyly Theater
July 12 - August 4, 2024
Join us “Under the Sea” as DTC presents a large-scale Public Works version of the classic Disney musical, The Little Mermaid, in a production uniquely created for the people of Dallas, with the people of Dallas, and by the people of Dallas. 200 community members of all ages, many appearing onstage for the first time, will come together with DTC’s professional artists to retell the beloved Hans Christian Andersen fairytale.
Christmas in Vegas!
Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club | December 25, 2023
My full Christmas set at my aunt, The Original Bad Girl of Comedy, Luenell's comedy residency at Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club in Las Vegas, NV. December 25, 2023.
Fun on the Run with Yolanda
Yolanda Williams - CW33
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Yolanda Williams of Fun on the Run with Yolanda to talk about The Rocky Horror Show. The segment and article can out great! Take a look.
In Fun on the Run, host Yolonda Williams takes to new places across the DFW metroplex every day, whether it's in Downtown Dallas, the Stockyards of Fort Worth, or all cities in between.
Columbia, embodied
Rich Lopez - DallasVoice
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Rich Lopez, Staff Writer for the Dallas Voice to talk about all things Rocky Horror. Thank you so much for the feature. It was so lovely chatting with you. Playing Columbia has been so much fun.
“With revealing costumes, fabulous fringe, chunky heels, and bright green hair, Willis is serving up an inspired performance, but he’s also taking away something from it as well: Columbia’s first rendering was not what audiences see today. Willis wanted to show more skin.”
Brierley Resident Acting Company
Dallas Theater Center
In 2009, with the generous support of Diane and Hal Brierley, Artistic Director Kevin Moriarty reinstated Dallas Theater Center’s resident acting company. His intent was to develop and nurture professional actors within the North Texas community and enable them to make Dallas their artistic home. At the same time, he sought to enhance Dallas Theater Center’s artistic profile and create ongoing collaborative relationships. The Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company has since become a signature component of Dallas Theater Center’s presence in the Dallas Arts District.
The Brierley Resident Acting Company with Hal and Diane Brierley at The 2021 AT&T Performing Arts Center Gala
Not pictured: Tiana Kaye Blair, Molly Searcy, Bob Hess
HEADSHOt& RESUME
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You can also find me on…
GALLERY
Headshots
Videos
Audio
PRESS & SOCIAL
Awards
4th Annual Irma P. Hall Black Theatre Awards
Featured Actor in a Musical
Zachary J. Willis
(The First Noel - Jubilee Theatre)
Joyous Heart Awards
Best Male Identifying Actor
(Zachary J. Willis - Cruella de Vil)
Best Video Production Value
(Zachary J. Willis - Cruella de Vil)
Quotes
“The two actors [Christina Austin Lopez and Kevin Solis] carried the love story, but Zachary [J.] Wiills made a big splash as Sebastian, Ariel’s appointed guardian. Willis played the role free of excessive buffoonery yet still created a character that was a madcap experience each time he was onstage. ”
“Sebastian the Crab, a servant to the royal family, is a proud, talented, and officious young crustacean. In the hands of the unbelievably talented Zachary J. Willis, Sebastian also becomes a scene stealing, stage filling wonder with a glorious voice that makes “Under the Sea” and “Kiss the Girl” big, crowd-pleasing numbers. It is hilarious to watch Willis maneuver around the stage. He seems to take the tiniest of steps but move with incredible speed. He’s everywhere at once, spreading theater magic in his wake, a one-man tsunami of talent.”
Into the Woods - Dallas Theater Center
“‘There are giants in the sky! There are big, tall, terrible giants in the sky!’ Zachary J. Willis with his soaring vocals and soulful eyes is quite possibly the best Jack I have ever seen.”
“Standouts include... Zachary J. Willis, endlessly cheery and guileless as Jack...”
Our Town - Dallas Theater Center
“Christina Austin Lopez and Zachary J. Willis make an engaging Emily and George, the young lovers of the play who are literally the girl and boy next door. Just kids at first, awkwardly charming, we soon find a grave, growing-up sweetness in them (they’re so watchful and concerned about each other) that lifts them up—and makes us root for their romance to go on forever.”
Annie - Casa Mañana
“One of the most watchable people onstage is actually in the ensemble, Zachary J. Willis. He doesn’t do anything to steal focus. He is a standout because of the sharpness and stylistic qualities of his movements. He has committed to his character from head to toe to the tiniest gestures and detail.”
A 3D Adventure - Circle Theatre
“Willis always commits to the humor of the piece with impressive conviction and confidence, busting a move or busting a gut and inviting the audience along for the fun.”
Tiny Beautiful Things - Dallas Theater Center
“Zachary J. Willis, portraying Letter Writer #3, often used his gestures and facial expressions to provide us with much needed comedic relief. I found myself watching him throughout the performance, even when he wasn’t speaking. Although his comforting mannerisms were enjoyable, his impressive performance as Orphan showed his true ability. It was clear that Orphan struggled to share his truth, but he found himself in a situation where he had no choice but to face his past. Willis did a flawless job portraying this character along with many others.”
A 3D Adventure - Circle Theatre
“Kudos to Zachary J. Willis for not only almost pulling off said mullet, but for his acrobatic dancing—in cowboy boots, no less!”
Spring Awakening - Uptown Players
“Zachary J. Willis is a clear-voiced and miserably unstable Moritz, the lost boy straining to pass his exams and find a friend, whose teachers and father scorn his efforts. Willis is strong throughout, and heartbreakingly touching in the final song when he returns with the sacrificed Wendla and a broken-hearted Melchior to lead the company in “Purple Summer,” a beautiful and deeply evocative song about the vision which is sexual ripeness and joy at its lovely, peaceful prime.”
Elton John & Tim Rice’s Aida - The Firehouse Theatre
“Zachary J. Willis as the adorable yet comical Mereb delivers equal amounts of comedy and when called upon, adds touching moments with Aida. Willis also possesses some stellar vocals.”
Articles
Without more federal money, what will regional theaters do? - Sonari Glinton, NPR
Plays by Black writers are finally getting the spotlight, from Broadway to Dallas - Manuel Mendoza, Dallas Morning News
Follow me on Instagram @zacharyjwillis.
CONTACT
