Born and raised in Minneapolis, Zach Christensen is a multidisciplinary theatre artist and the founding artistic director of Jackdonkey Productions. He is pursuing an MFA in Directing at Columbia University, where he is a recipient of the Dean’s Fellowship, and studies with leading theatre-makers including Anne Bogart, Brian Kulick, Katie Mitchell, Oskar Eustis, Sarah Benson, Saheem Ali, and Moisés Kaufman.

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His recent directing work includes THE GIVER at Open Window Theatre and HENRY V with Jackdonkey Productions. His critically acclaimed production of Harold Pinter’s THE DUMB WAITER received the Audience Choice Award at the Minnesota Fringe Festival and was subsequently commissioned for an extended run at the Phipps Center for the Arts. His work spans contemporary, classical, original, and devised theatre, with a particular interest in ensemble practice and physical storytelling. Zach was awarded the Minnesota State Arts Board Creative Individuals Grant in 2024 and 2025.

 

As a performer, Zach appeared in RICHARD II, HENRY IV, and HENRY V at the Guthrie Theater under the direction of Joseph Haj. He was honored with the BroadwayWorld Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2025 for his performance in SURVIVORS with Six Points Theater. Zach has additionally performed under the direction of Maija Garcia at the Guthrie Theater and Dominique Serrand at The Moving Company.

 

Zach has collaborated with the Guthrie Theater, Theater Latté Da, Children’s Theatre Company, The Moving Company, Jungle Theater, Illusion Theater, Six Points Theater, Frank Theatre, Flying Foot Forum, Gremlin Theatre, Open Window Theatre, and Zephyr Theatre, among others. He has also assistant directed for Meredith McDonough, Justin Lucero, and Lonny Price.

 

In 2022, Zach founded Jackdonkey Productions, a Minneapolis-based theatre company committed to working-class stories told through the lenses of experimentalism, absurdism, and surrealism. Since its founding, the company has uplifted bold artistry across original, published, and devised work. Jackdonkey Productions has been featured by the Star Tribune, Minnesota Public Radio, Pioneer Press, and theatre critics throughout the Twin Cities and beyond.

 

Zach’s leadership experience also includes arts education and community engagement roles with Minneapolis Public Schools and Illusion Theater, where he developed programming, coordinated school and community initiatives, and cultivated organizational partnerships. He has also led workshops in ensemble building, physical storytelling, and devised theatre.

 

Zach holds a BFA in Theatre Performance from North Dakota State University and has trained with the Guthrie Actors Lab and Dell’Arte International.