About Zachary

ACTOR. PRODUCER. THEATRE MANAGER.

Zachary Thomas Hedner is a New York City-based actor, producer, and theatre manager. He has performed at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Paul Bunyan Playhouse, DalekoArts, Chaska Valley Family Theatre, Bunce Performing Arts, The Gilbert & Sullivan Very Light Opera Company, University of Northwestern and more. He has worked as the Theatrical Operations Manager for Norwegian Cruise Lines/Norwegian Creative Studios, working on shows like SIX the Musical and Burn the Floor. Zachary has also served as the Executive Director of the Arts Consortium of Carver County Inc., Associate Producer of Triple Espresso, and a freelance theatre producer. He received his undergrad degree from the University of Northwestern, has studied at New York University, and is currently attending Columbia University for an MFA in Theatre Management & Producing. Zachary is currently serving on the Board of Directors for 4 Community Theatre and Theatre Allegro.

“Trust yourself that you can do it and get it.”

―Baz Luhrmann

My Story

Zachary is a New Yorker who grew up in the western suburbs of Minneapolis, MN. He found theatre and music in high school and never looked back. Zachary began his journey at the University of Northwestern where he studied Music Education, and eventually graduated with a Bachelor's in Theatre. This was where Zachary began to cultivate his passion for theatre and began acting professionally at regional theatres, directing, and producing.

After graduating from Northwestern, Zachary began working in the field as a professional actor, director, and producer across the Twin Cities. He interned and was hired by Triple Espresso and The Daniel Group as an Assistant Production Manager and now works as a producer. Additionally, Zachary proudly served as the Executive Director for the Arts Consortium of Carver County, a non-profit arts organization, that Zachary helped lead out of COVID-19. During this time he also served as Vice President on the Board of Directors for Chaska Valley Family Theatre, and on the Board of Directors for 4 Community Theatre, Theatre Allegro, and the Arts Consortium of Carver County.

Zachary began to feel a calling towards leadership in the arts and he used this unique time to help strengthen and redefine theatres as we adapted to the long-term effects of the pandemic. Zachary used his experience in fundraising, marketing, grant-writing, season selection, and producing to help foster growth amidst a landscape where many other organizations were closing down. He understood the importance of strong leadership in the arts and decided to make the move to New York City to pursue a Masters in Performing Arts Administration from NYU.

During the end of his first semester, Zachary was offered the unique opportunity to set sail with Norwegian Cruise Lines on the NCL Breakaway as the Theatrical Operations Manager. He would be managing five theatre venues and many shows including SIX the Musical, Burn the Floor, VELVET, Syd Norman's Pour House, Howl at the Moon, and many guest entertainer shows. He jumped at the chance for adventure and sailed for nearly nine months across the Caribbean and Mediterranean ports.

While on the ship, Zachary was accepted to Columbia University for an MFA in Theatre Management/Producing. Ready to make the next step he packed up his things and moved back to New York City. He is now working as Thesis General Manager and Operations Manager for Lenfest at Columbia. He is also company managing the first thesis show of the 2023-2024 season.

The rest of the story has yet to be written...