about.
My name is Zachary J. Willis, and I am an AEA actor, singer, and performer based in the Dallas- Fort Worth metroplex.
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 encouraged me to 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 and my work. Thank you for visiting my site!
news.
Museum Murder Mystery: An Artful Game of Clue
Dallas Museum of Art, May 11, 2025
Have you ever wanted to play a live game of Clue?
Put on your detective hat and solve one of our popular Museum Murder Mysteries.
The infamous Greek figure Oedipus has been murdered! It is up to you to discover the room where the murder took place, figure out what was used as the murder weapon, and interview key suspects, including the Roman Woman, Seti I, and Sarah Noyes, throughout the Museum.
Solve the murder mystery on your first attempt and be entered to win one of five great prize packs, including a DMA membership. At 9:30 p.m., the murderer and motive will be unveiled to all, and the winners of the prizes will be announced.
Make a night of it and grab a bite to eat in our DMA Cafe before the game starts; dinner service will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. If you solve the mystery before 9:30 p.m., you can enjoy full bar service in the DMA Cafe while you wait for the reveal.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Dallas Theater Center, June 13 - July 13, 2025
A Reimagined Biblical Story for audiences of all ages.
The classic Broadway musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, based on the Bible’s Book of Genesis, tells the journey of Joseph, son of Jacob, his twelve brothers, and his coat of many colors. Filled with catchy songs and dances, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is one of the most enduring shows of all time.
Fat Ham
Stage West, August 28 - September 14, 2025
Juicy’s got a lot on his plate - his mom just married his uncle. All he wants is to make his own way as a queer Black man in a Southern family. But here’s the rub - his father’s ghost just turned up at a backyard barbecue demanding vengeance. In this delicious and sizzling reinvention of Shakespeare’s masterpiece, a young man vows to break the cycles of violence in service of his own liberation and joy.
headshot & resume.
Click an image to enlarge.
gallery.
Headshots
Headshots by Landon Roseberry
Website photography exclusively by Taylor Wedding
Production Photos
press.
Irma P. Hall Black Theatre Awards
Leading Actor in a Play - I AM DELIVERED’T
I am humbled an honored to be awarded the Leading Actor in a Play Irma P. Hall Black Theatre Award for my role as Pickles in the World-premiere of I AM DELIVERED’T by Jonathan Norton. I AM DELIVERED’T was also awarded Best Play. Being able to develop this character from early developmental readings to sharing this show with both the Dallas and Louisville communities has been a highlight of my career.
Thank you to our playwright, Jonathan Norton, our director, Robert Barry Fleming, my powerful cast-mates: Liz Mikel, E. Faye Butler (Featured Actress in a Play), and Naiqui Macabroad, our SM team, designers, technicians, dressers, and every patron who supported this production.
Thank you to Jiles King, II and the organizers of the Irma P. Hall Black Theatre Awards for centering and celebrating the contributions of Black theatre makers in North Texas.
Quotes
Shane - Dallas Theater Center
“Zachary J. Willis in the supporting role of Chris Johnson, a young man aligned with Fletcher, is outstanding. He is humorous trying to provoke Shane. Then after learning a hard lesson, he grows to admire Shane and changes his alliance and life. Willis gives Johnson a sincerity that gives credence to the character.”
“The first bad guy we are introduced to was Chris, a punk bully youngster played with bratty appeal by Zachary J. Willis.”
A Christmas Carol - Dallas Theater Center
“As Scrooge’s optimistic nephew Fred, Zachary J. Willis was effortlessly charming ...”
Public Works Dallas - Disney’s The Little Mermaid - Dallas Theater Center
“The two actors 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.”
I AM DELIVERED’T - Dallas Theater Center
“Zachary J. Willis, coming off an unforgettable performance as Columbia in DTC’s Rocky Horror, proves once again that he is one of the most formidable actors around. Here he is Pickles, a prominent usher at New Jerusalem who is currently enamored of a member of the congregation named Zeno. Pickles is afraid to reveal his homosexuality. So afraid, that he even hides his gift for singing. When Willis sings a bar of “Not While I’m Around” to his friend and mother figure Sis, it will make you wish that there was going to be yet another production of Sweeney Todd in DFW. Willis makes Pickles uptight and officious and hysterically funny. The amazingly limber Willis acts with his entire body and can get a laugh by simply walking across the stage. Add Pickles to the list of unforgettable characters created by this beyond talented actor.”
The Rocky Horror Show- Dallas Theater Center
“Zachary Willis went full throttle as Colombia, the former lover and perpetual Frank-N-Furter groupie.”
“Seeing Zachary J. Willis perform as the green haired, chain bedecked, tight short shorts wearing Columbia is a revelation. Willis, whether tap dancing in silver boots or crawling across the stage, is fascinating. Yes, Columbia is a comic character and Willis certainly gets his share of laughs, but there is so much more he brings to the part. He is at once androgynous, yet intensely masculine. He’s part slut and part little boy lost. Willis is an actor of great skill and equally amazing vocal prowess, and his Columbia is unforgettable.”
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...”
Trouble in Mind- Dallas Theater Center
“An outstanding ensemble of actors characterizes the white gaze of the day. Perfectly cast, each actor uniquely personifies the spectrum of human responses to outrageous microaggressions, racial stereotyping (Black and white), the threat of lynching, and white fragility.”
Our Town/Nuestro Pueblo - 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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
“Kudos to Zachary J. Willis for not only almost pulling off said mullet, but for his acrobatic dancing—in cowboy boots, no less!”
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.”
