We were lucky to catch up with Zach Wetzel recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Zach thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?
My background is wacky. I have a BM in vocal performance from Brigham Young University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of South Dakota. I started my career in teaching and performing at just the right time. Prior to teaching Music, which I’ve been doing for the past 6 years, I took a brief hiatus from the Fine Arts. At the end of my music studies at BYU I was at a crossroads. I could take a gig in Ohio that I had been offered with Ohio Light Opera, or I could pursue my dream of going to law school. I had always wanted to go to law school and was interested in becoming an entertainment lawyer. I graduated from law school with decent grades and with an emphasis in Media Law. I served as the President of the University Media Board. For a year or so I tried my hand at a couple law firms in Arizona and discovered that I did not enjoy working in the legal field nearly as much as I enjoyed studying it. My heart yearned to go back to Music. So I did! I then discovered my passion for teaching young people and helping empower youth to find their voice through the Arts. I’ve been doing this ever since. I’m glad I bloomed a little late, because that’s how we learn!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Recently I produced and appeared in the musical Camelot. It was an enormous endeavor that took a toll on my mental health, to be honest. I discovered that I enjoy teaching and acting most, and that producing is not for me. I am learning how to balance and budget my time in ways that give me joy in performing without feeling ensnared by it. My main source of income is teaching Music full-time at a top charter school. This is where I find the most fulfillment. With producing no longer in the cards for me, I have also found that outside of school my favorite business to pursue is the acting industry. I have played lead roles with one particular professional company, Saguaro City Music Theatre. This has allowed me to share my performances with my students! In December of 2023 I played Mr. Wormwood in a production of Matilda, and it was one of the highlights of my career for my students to come see me in the show!
In your view, what can society do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
To best support artists and creatives, people can come to see live performances. One of my favorite things about live theater is that it’s different every time. If you re-watch a movie you may notice different elements, but you are watching the same product each time. In theater, something could go wrong at any moment, and I live for the moments when actors recover and gracefully continue the show. “The show must go on”, as they say! Audiences can take a break from streaming and come to live venues to see real people on a real stage! This financial and community support goes a long way to ensure the survival of the Arts. As an arts educator, I also recommend enrolling your children in music lessons, and finding schools with strong Music programs to support. Music and Fine Arts teachers of all disciplines are heroes! I am also working to give back to the community by teaching performing classes to students with various professional theaters, and helping empower youth to find their voice through the Arts.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Slowly! It takes time. When I first arrived in Tucson I was virtually unknown. I came from being well-established as a performer in Utah and Los Angeles, and it took a moment to adjust. This was in 2017 when we first moved to Tucson. Now I am known primarily for my work as an arts educator, and for my comedic character roles. Social media is a double-edged sword. Proceed with caution! I used to have a tendency to overshare. Doing this gets you out into the universe, but it also opens you up to more criticism. As my name has grown in the Valley, I have found more people who enjoy working with me. But I have also found myself more critics, so it is certainly a balance. On social media, once you have established a presence, the less you say the better. The more you show, such as photos from shows, the more respect you will gather. Ultimately, your value comes from within. Not everyone is going to like you.
Contact Info:
- Website: zachwetzel.com
- Instagram: @mister.wetzel
Image Credits
Britten Leigh, Gretchen Wirges