Today we’d like to introduce you to Zachary Shook.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
It started with a boy and his desire to make his loved ones proud. I was the youngest of two, living in a small town known as Halbur, Iowa. It was just fifteen minutes away from what would be my “Manhattan of Iowa,” known as Carroll, Iowa where my school and most of my friends were. It was my mom, my older sibling, and myself. My father lived two hours away from us. He lived in Sioux City, Iowa, where we all lived originally, but when I was two years old, my parents split. If you ask me, that’s a perfect time to experience a divorce as a child because I wasn’t conscious when they were together. The negative part of that is not knowing really why or what the reason for the split was. It was confusing, but only because I thought it was the same for everyone else. It caused issues down the road for me when growing up, but I did what I could, and life went on. I still had my mom and siblings. In my small town of Carroll, Iowa, I graduated from Carroll High and pursued acting. During my time in high school, I began my acting career with an acting studio where I performed and interned there by teaching acting classes to younger kids. I also began performing for a company theatre just 45 minutes away named “History Boy Theatre and Company.” My love for theatre started in middle school. I was just 14 years old when I witnessed our local production of “Footloose” and became infatuated with the idea of being on that same stage performing. It only took less than a year later to begin deep diving into the cities of the acting world, such as New York and Los Angeles. The problem was I was stuck right in the middle of the country. No one in Iowa thought it was a good idea to go out to those cities that adopt those “liberal agendas.” I ignored their warnings and scare tactics of not wanting me to dream or think about those ideas of making it out. I decided to audition for acting schools that my theatre friends at the company theatre I worked at told me about, and fortunately, I got accepted. I was elated, I had a golden ticket out of the farm town full of the people that were trying to sway me to stay home. I shouted from the rooftops that I was heading out to the “Big Apple” and pursuing my dreams like I told them I was gonna do when I was just a younger boy. It was a lot to take in at first. Moving to a big city where I knew nobody, a completely different culture, and way more expensive. Real life was becoming very real. Unfortunately, a couple of days later, my mother and I talked about the New York school I got accepted to regarding finances. It was a very difficult conversation to have with a very excited son about moving to the big city because it was a conversation that ended with a real-life issue. It was going to be impossible to keep up with the financial burdens this school was asking for even with the scholarship they had offered. A tough pill to swallow when you have to burn your one-way ticket to the city of your dreams. I didn’t take it well at first, I wanted to make it possible no matter what, and considered slaving away at an army program to make it happen. But I was begged not to by my family. I listened, decided not to go that route, and chose a local university instead. Although unsatisfied with the end decision of choosing where to study, I was still thankful for the support and care I received from my loved ones and everyone else who supported my mother and me during a very uncomfortable time. I realized that even though it was hard for me to let go of the school, I knew that making this decision ultimately did more good for those around me compared to the hardship they would have faced. In the end, I also knew that this wouldn’t stop my pursuit of turning my dreams into a reality.
I began my studies at the University of Northern Iowa located just west of the famous University of Iowa. I was optimistic about what was to come because of the incredible reviews I was receiving from my acting director from the acting studio and also my director for most of my productions in high school, Sonia Walsh. She had graduated from there and was a part of the board for the theatre’s annual meetings regarding different programs and performances. Bias or no bias, I trusted and believed her when she told me that it was going to be “worth my while.” When the first semester started, things looked great to start. The year I started the introductory classes within the theatre program had a ton of new students. Even the theatre class professors had expressed their excitement about it, and it was shared throughout the class. I met incredible actors and friends that I happily can still call friends today throughout this first semester, and things were looking up. During this time, I had asked to meet with each theatre professor in the program to discuss plans and get to know them better. I walked into each of their offices, introduced myself as did they, and began discussing my dreams of moving to New York with them. Most responses to these meetings were similar to each other with all in agreement saying they provide just as good and better programs than the schools over on the east coast. This is a very fair response, but that wasn’t necessarily what I was getting at. It wasn’t a discussion of how great their programs were at the University of Northern Iowa compared to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. It was a want to be in the city of my dreams. I was set on getting there with a degree or without a degree. I just didn’t know how I was gonna end up there and was looking for a place of understanding which they gave in the response of, “You have time to study here.” I didn’t feel satisfied with that response, but it was still a good point. After that first semester of college, it only took two months into the second semester for me to realize how difficult this next part of the journey was going to truly be.
When the second semester started, a lot of things were aligning together fairly well. I was the broke college student making friends with other broke college students around my dorm. Working very low-income university jobs at the theatre where I spent most of my days in and out as a props technical assistant and shop technical assistant with a boss who wasn’t too much of a fan of me. Truly living out a typical college-life sitcom. Even though it wasn’t the best thing in the world, it wasn’t so bad. I was having fun. I had friends, a girlfriend, some money, and still a very much alive dream. Also survived my first semester of college, so what couldn’t I handle at this point? The world must’ve heard me being satisfied because then a global pandemic struck the world. Not cool world. As we all know, this ended up shutting everything down and flipping everything on its head. No more jobs, no more in-person classes, no more human interaction, no more Romeo and Juliet that I just got cast in, and no more college campus. We all went home. It was apocalyptic. Everyone was confused and didn’t know what was going on. Our spring break became the rest of the semester break. We eventually went virtual in April, which for acting classes didn’t hit the mark. Safe to say, it was very different from before and not easy. Times also didn’t get any easier because shortly after, one of my friends had been shot and killed. The world seemed to be crumbling all around me. We finished up the second semester the best we could and transitioned into the summer. Turns out, especially in this little, small town of mine that I was now back at, life didn’t seem to be affected that much by COVID-19. I ended up working all summer at my local grocery store like I had in the past and started work with the local country club. I worked all summer long, and then something came up. An Iowa talent agency I was with, known as “The Peak Agency,” had been attending a bi-annual convention known as “The International Modeling and Talent Association (IMTA),” and I figured that I would give it a try. They held these conventions in New York and Los Angeles, so I thought it’d be a great opportunity to check either of the cities out. For obvious reasons, they weren’t having a convention that summer like they usually do because of the pandemic, but they had decided to hold one of the events in Florida because of the less strict COVID restrictions allowing the hundreds attending to come and participate. Although expensive, I again got a glimmer in my eye like I had before about the New York school, seeing a golden opportunity to potentially get out of Iowa. It would just have to wait until January 2021.
So, it’s August 2020, and schools are opening up again. I’ve been told, along with the rest of my classmates, that we could come back to campus, but with very strict rules regarding health and safety. COVID wasn’t over, and there was still a high risk of it spreading all across campus. I was very excited to come back to campus and see all my friends again, but when I returned, it was not the same campus I had left. Most of my friends and the people I connected with chose not to return or chose a different degree. We only saw each other very limitedly; the scare of disease was so high that no one wanted to risk it by human interaction. Especially with people they cared about. Classes were in-person one day and then virtual the next. Everyone was stressed and fearful all the time. It was like it was the “Wild West,” without the danger of bandits and instead, it was germs. Classes were constantly canceled and changed from in-person to virtual constantly. Accountability was completely lost on both sides, the professor and students. There was no more trust in each other to do the work or show up to class. I fell into a pit of laziness myself and struggled to climb out of it. I thought to myself, “This isn’t what I signed up for, right?” However, I did find myself a new exciting part of college that I had once never thought I’d be a part of. I found myself rushing a fraternity. A lot of theatre friends of mine had decided to rush the fraternity, and I decided to do it as well. There wasn’t anything else keeping my spirits up at the time, so I thought this was a good avenue to explore. Let’s just say I was very pleased with my decision. The support that this group had for each other during a time when everything kind of sucked, it was everything and more that I needed. I had climbed out of the pit I was in and was now going headstrong to finish the first semester of my second year. Along with that, I was getting ready to travel down south to Florida for a trip to IMTA.
Everything seemed to have led to this moment. I was so excited and anxious to see what could come from this opportunity. A golden ticket possibility again right in front of me. It was time to show the world who Zachary Michael Shook was made of. So, the convention worked sort of like this: it’s a full week of competitions between different models, actors, and singers competing in their respective age groups in different talent competitions such as cold read, improvisation, commercial, monologues, and runway. While that’s going on throughout the week. There are different workshops with different agencies and managers alike from all over the country and nationwide as well. They’re there to scout and look for potential new talent that they would potentially be interested in and work with. There have been many success stories that have come from IMTA conventions, such as Iowa’s own Ashton Kutcher, the incredible Aaron Paul, Disney’s hilarious Raini Rodriguez, and many more. Before going, there were six of us from “The Peak Agency” attending, and we had gotten our materials beforehand. We were a young crew but a very solid group of talent. We were told not to have high expectations going into the convention because you don’t want to believe that you’re going to win everything that you compete in. I kept a level head going into the convention, but I knew I wanted to prove to myself that this is what I wanna do for a career. I participated in singing, improv, commercial, monologue, headshot, and cold reading competitions. I attended every workshop and industry Q&A I could while I was there and made lots of connections and friends. At the end of the week, we had our awards ceremony, where they announced the results of competitions and gave out scholarships from the schools that attended.
Before the ceremony, though, they had allowed agents, managers, and schools who attended competitions and other events throughout the week to request callback meetings. I was very fortunate enough to have quite a few that day and was able to speak with mostly everyone who had requested a meeting with me. One particular individual who was there on behalf of the Conservatory of Dramatic Arts had invited me to meet with him that day. This particular individual ran a monologue workshop during the week and invited me to do my monologue in front of everyone who attended. He ripped me to shreds, to say the least. But I was excited to work with him, and funny enough, when it was time for the monologue competition, he turned out to be one of the judges. So, when I was invited to chat with him, I, of course, was intrigued to see what he had thought about the monologue this last go around. I was expecting him to tear me down again, but instead, he was very jovial to tell me that he was very pleased with it. We then began chatting about a lot of different things, and he was very supportive of my dreams and offered me a very hefty scholarship to the conservatory. But next, he surprised me and said that he didn’t want me to take the offer if it meant that it was going to be a financial burden like I had elaborated to him about the previous acting school. He explained to me some helpful tips regarding agents and manager business but also said he believes that I belong in this business. I was overwhelmed and filled with many emotions during that conversation which left a big impact on me. Even though he knew I wasn’t going to accept his offer, he still was kind enough to leave me with his honest thoughts about how he felt and the impression I left with him. I left with watery eyes and a message from him saying, “I’m team Zach.” Soon after this conversation, I met someone later on in the day, and I then signed with them as my first talent manager in New York soon after. The award ceremony was later that evening, and the mighty six of us did very well. Most of us either won or placed top three in most of our competitions, walking away with many medals. They had an extra award at the end of the ceremony for age divisions for actor/actress and model of the year. I was very happy to be able to receive “Actor of the Year” in my division, which turned a concerned aspiring actor into a hungry and motivated actor.
When I returned to school, it seemed impossible to reach back to the same high that was before at IMTA. The hangover of the competition was very real. My professors and classmates had seen that I had made the trip there and were very supportive of me. It was only for a little while that it would turn very sour very quickly back at school. With classes starting in the second semester, I was faced with a list of things I had to figure out before the end of the semester. I felt overwhelmed and found no time to take care of myself. I was supposed to be focused on my studies, but after the trip to Florida, I was being asked by my manager at the time when I was going to move to the city. We talked off and on about different plans or ways to get there, but the problem was not having the finances to fly out there. It was impossible to think of actually flying out there and finding an apartment, especially while I was still in school. So, it put me in this weird spiral of what I wanted to pursue. My professors caught on very quickly, and they weren’t necessarily too pleased with my lack of focus on the program. I started to slump in my classes, very rarely showing up to class when scheduled and not turning in work. I was trying to just pass by doing the bare minimum. There were quite a few meetings with my professors during this time, all saying that I had to focus on my classes instead of thinking about dropping out. I agreed with them, but I didn’t know how I was going to get back on track at this point. I found myself in this whole again like I was at the beginning of the first semester. I didn’t want to do anything. The only thing I wanted to do was build my finances up enough to make the move to New York. So, at the end of a very rough second semester. I decided to spend the summer in my college town for a final stretch before I moved back home and did not return. It was a tough decision to make. I had a lot of emotional attachment to that place now, and it seemed like I was throwing them in the rearview mirror even though it was for a good cause. I returned to the small town I graduated from and was now applying for jobs to grind out some money to make the move. Right back where it all started.
The job I acquired during these six months was a warehouse job for Pepsi Co., where I stacked orders and put them on a truck. Not exactly ideal for me as I had zero experience within the warehouse, but I was willing to learn the ways and put in the work. It wasn’t fun, but I ended up grinding it out just enough to have barely enough money to make the trip. With some help from my mom, I was able to book an Airbnb for a month in Manhattan. During January, I had spoken with other aspiring actors from the same management who were also attempting to make the move, but it was impossible to get an actual apartment when none of us lived there. So, Airbnb seemed to be the most realistic option. I gave myself a month of living in the city to adapt, find enough income, find an apartment, and figure out how to live in this new world. The next thing I knew, I was on a plane to New York City.
Once I touched down, it seemed like the beginning of the next chapter, lugging all my heavy bags around. I felt like I was living in a movie. My mom and stepdad flew with me to the city and stayed with me for a couple of days before they left me at the Airbnb. When they were gone, it was all too real. I had done the talking but now it was time to do the walking. I was able to find multiple jobs, meet and make new friends, find an apartment with just a day to spare from my Airbnb lease, and finally live and work in New York City. The feeling of walking into my New York apartment, although empty at first, was one of the most accomplished feelings I’ve ever experienced. I had dreamed about living in the city for so long, and now I was finally doing it. I still live in the apartment to this day with my incredibly talented roommate, who’s also an aspiring actor. I now have a new talent manager, Wayne Gasser, from The Gasser Group, and I’m no longer with The Peak Agency. After many years of dreaming of working and living in New York, I now can proudly say to my younger self that we did end up making it happen. It definitely wasn’t the smoothest of roads to get where I am, but I’m nonetheless content with the work that had to be put in to make this a reality. Since moving here, I’ve performed in musical Cabarets, worked the Met Gala, participated in a Hallmark Studios commercial, and started production of an original short film as a producer. I hope my story helps reaffirm the idea that if you want to do something, all you have to do is put your head down, take that first step, and don’t look back.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s been quite a rugged road, in all honesty. It wasn’t easy moving away from home, away from friends and family. Moving away from my small town to one of the biggest cities had its fair share of challenges. Different prices of everything, new stores I’ve never heard of, and trying to find my apartment were all very interesting challenges. Especially when you have to give yourself 30 days in an Airbnb to figure it out. COVID-19 gave me a good run for my money at the beginning of this journey, and it seemed like it may not happen at all. But I’m very thankful that I didn’t run out of persistence. Of course, the countless times you audition for different things and rejection can be very difficult to sit with, but it’s the life of an actor. You have to know what failure is at first to understand how great success is when it arrives. Finances are constantly an imperative issue that will never go away with this sort of lifestyle. It’s definitely not a lifestyle for the faint of heart. You can’t be discouraged by failure; you must learn from it instead and move forward.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’d like to say that I bring a dash of realism and depth to every character I’m allowed to play. I’m not satisfied with the stereotypes and cliches that seem to infect a lot of these new-era characters being written in screenplays, series, and movies. When I’m allowed to live in these situations as a character, I want to study and develop this person so well that it simply can’t be recreated. One of my favorite quotes comes from the genius acting instructor Sanford Meisner, “Your acting will not be good until it is only yours. That’s true of music, acting, anything creative. You work until finally nobody is acting like you.” I’m a massive fan of the Meisner technique and it’s one that I use for most of my work. I’ve worked in different musicals and plays and did a commercial for Hallmark Studios in Kansas City, MO. I’ve also recently dived into producing and co-directing a film. My friend Andrei Kogolenok is directing and writing. It’s interesting to be on the other side of the camera for projects like this one. It gives a new outlook as it goes for casting and getting everything situated for a successful day of shooting. We have released a trailer from the footage we have shot already and plan to come out with a lot more content soon. You can find that footage on Instagram under the username “forthemfilm” and follow our journey of creating the actual film. Along with producing and co-directing, the music is all original as well. I’ve recently been getting into creating music as I’ve played the guitar for many years. Although I’m focused on becoming one of the new fantastic actors of this generation, I do have other hobbies that I’d also like to see become an opportunity to pursue later in my career. With that said, I believe that is what sets me apart from others.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
When I was a kid, trouble seemed to follow me where I went. I was always being sent home with a note from the teacher explaining to my mom how troublesome I was that day. I was too energetic and couldn’t sit still. I was playing too rough with other kids, but I was doing well grade-wise. As I slowly matured later on in middle school, I became very invested in my studies and got involved with a lot of sports and extracurriculars. This essentially took away all of my energy. I was involved with Cub Scouts, mock trial/debate, football, basketball, track, band, chorus, and baseball. I was a small little guy growing up, always the shortest in my class, but definitely had the biggest personality. I was always teased about it, which did get under my skin, so I was always feisty with my peers. I wanted to be great at sports at first, just like every other kid trying to become an elite athlete. But everyone was so much bigger and stronger than I was, so it didn’t seem possible. What I did know, though, was that I was great at public speaking and putting on a show. Eventually, I strayed away from sports more and decided to focus on the less physical extracurriculars. I was very much a friendly face to a lot of people in my class and got to know a lot of them pretty well. A friend to all you could say. Some people call it fake, but kindness is not an act of the foul fiend. I wanted to be the best person I could be to everyone who has done right for me. Even if it was a small act, it was an act of kindness nonetheless.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://zachary-michael.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachary_michael_shook/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zach.shook.3
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCpEnT7EaNIh3MQhCLK52lg
Image Credits
Thomas Watkin
Ash Rouse
