From Stage to Classroom: Zach Burnham’s Impact as a Teaching Artist

When Zach Burnham moved to Minnesota, he wasn’t sure what his next act would be. Turns out, it was a double feature—starring on stage and in the classroom.

Originally from Utah, where he was heavily involved in theatre throughout high school, Zach moved to Minnesota after his freshman year at the University of Utah. Looking for ways to get engaged in his new Central Minnesota community, he found GREAT Theatre and auditioned for and landed a role in All Shook Up. Around the same time, he applied for and accepted a job as a teaching artist with us. By day he began working with students at in-school residencies, and by night, he was in rehearsals for the show. And now, he’s preparing for his next performance in Eurydice which opens May 9.

Zach describes his experience in All Shook Up as the most challenging show he has done, pushing him to improve as an actor and recognize his own growth areas. Beyond the technical aspects, he values the sense of community at GREAT Theatre.

“It’s been nice to have a group of people I can rely on. No matter what kind of day I’m having, I know I can go there, be silly, and just have fun. I took the work seriously—learning the parts, songs, and dances—but I also loved tapping into that fun energy.”

Through GREAT’s Musical-in-a-Week residency, Zach has helped guide 632 fifth graders in seven St. Cloud schools through the process of learning and performing a musical in just five days – many of whom have gone from shy newcomers to confident performers, filling their school gymnasium with music, laughter, and a little bit of stage magic. The transformation he sees in students is what makes the job so rewarding. “A lot of them are hesitant at first,” he says.

“By Friday, though, the ones who were reserved on Monday are the loudest singers or most expressive dancers. It’s incredible to see.”

But the impact goes beyond learning lines and choreography. Zach helps students discover confidence and a sense of belonging. He recalls moments when teachers have approached him in awe: “They’ll say, ‘I don’t know what you did, but this student who never engages in class was here every day, memorizing lines, and taking charge backstage.’” Seeing that spark in a kid—where they realize they’re good at something and want to invest in it—is at the heart of why we believe in this program.

One of the things Zach values most about GREAT Theatre’s educational programming is its inclusivity. He explains. “At my high school, the top performers were always the ones who didn’t have to work to support their families, who could afford private lessons and extra practice time. GREAT Theatre actively works against that by making sure all students, regardless of background, have access to theatre.”

And while he’s inspiring his students, they’re motivating him as a performer, too. “ If these kids can do that well in just a week, with being this young and having such limited experience, I can step up my game!” As he steps into his next role in Eurydice, Zach carries with him a lesson that goes beyond theater:

“This job has shown me that you have to be proactive—whether on stage or in life. The opportunities are there, but you have to go after them.”

Through his work at GREAT, Zach isn’t just teaching theater—he’s helping students find their voices, take risks, and step into the spotlight. And for many of them, that first step is just the beginning.