Artist Spotlight: Zach Christensen
- Feb 10
- 3 min read
by Pedro Juan Fonseca, an actor, writer, filmmaker,
and Manager of Marketing and Communications at Six Points Theater
The BroadwayWorld Minneapolis, St. Paul Awards run on the purest fuel in theater: audience enthusiasm. People like you, who saw a show, felt something deeply, and took the extra step to cast a vote. This year, that energy landed squarely on Zach Christensen, who was voted Best Supporting Performer in a Play for his work in SURVIVORS by Wendy Kout. Produced by Six Points Theater, the play teaches the history of the Holocaust and its present-tense relevance through the memories of people who survived WWII. It’s a story that asks a lot from its actors. You have to make history humane without turning atrocity into “acting.” Christensen recognizes that balance. “What stays with me is how quickly ordinary life can be changed, and how fiercely these stories insist on joy, humor, and love alongside the horror. That humanity added so many layers that I feel are not often recognized.” That's intentional on the part of playwright, Wendy Kout, who created the script from intimate interviews and historical records. The play urges audiences to recognize patterns of bigotry and to speak up against hatred. "Zach brought his talent, craft and humanity to the portrayal of Holocaust survivors Kurt Weinbach and Erich Arndt," says Kout, "these brave and inspiring men are no longer with us, but a great actor like Zach brings them back to life to teach, warn and encourage us to stand up to the frightening rise of hatred for all minorities.”
“Six Points Theater is such a welcoming and engaging environment," Christensen said. "It made my first time working with them feel familiar." His moving portrayals were a product of a dedicated collaboration with the ensemble of SURVIVORS including his fellow nominee in the category, Anya Naylor. “Anya brings a level of skill, dedication, and reliability that naturally pushes you to show up at your best. What I appreciate about Anya is how grounded she stays. She keeps the work human first, and that was a real gift in this play..”
Director Warren C. Bowles' gift was guiding the production toward its powerful results. “Warren brought the specificity day to day that we needed to bring these stories to the stage. His direction kept the storytelling clear and purposeful, leading the focus to where it belongs: on the people behind the words.”
Zach has met this moment prepared. From his BFA at North Dakota State University to stages across the Twin Cities, Christensen moves fluidly between classical language and contemporary ensemble work. Most recently an alum of the Guthrie Actors Lab (2025) and the Dell'Arte International Center for the Actor Creator, he is committed to crafting characters who combat their social tensions with humor. Recent credits include “Richard II,” “Henry IV,” and “Henry V” at the Guthrie, as well as a turn understudying with the renowned Moving Company in “The Cherry Orchard” at the Jungle Theater.
“I’m grateful for the recognition, and I’m especially proud that it is connected to a play like SURVIVORS.”
Six Points Theater is grateful for all its BroadwayWorld nominations this year. Awards may mark a moment, but what endures is the shared experience between artists and audiences.
TALENT: Zach Christensen
WRITING / DESIGN / PHOTOS: Pedro Juan Fonseca
EDITORS: Barbara Brooks & Jennie Ward
Comments