Zach Clar: Breaking His Way Into Showbusiness

Writer / Teresa Lorton  .  Photographer  /  Zach Rosing

Being a straight A student isn’t an easy accomplishment for any student, but it’s just one of the many achievements 12-year-old Zach Clar could brag about. However, Clar isn’t the bragging type; he’s an unassuming student at Fishers Junior High School.

Zach plays the violin in the Chamber Orchestra at school, just started tap lessons and is an accomplished actor. After attending a workshop at the Tarkington Theatre in Carmel, he was encouraged to audition for a part in the Footlite Musical production of “Mame.” He got the part, and as they say “a star was born.” Clar played a young Patrick Dennis and later played Young Tommy in the The Who’s “Tommy” musical.

Clar recently earned two nominations by the Encore Association for the Encore Award Best Performer Under the Age of 18. Zach balances his academic schedule while prepping for two upcoming performances. He’s currently rehearsing for “Babes in Toyland” at Footlite.

“I love staying busy, and being in plays is one of my favorite things,” shares Clar.

Acting isn’t his primary passion, however. Clar feels that breakdancing is his true calling. He’s a member of Ground Force One Crew based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His parents have logged thousands of miles driving him to practice in Michigan and to breakdance battles all over the Midwest.

Clar has a few goals still to check off his adolescent bucket list. “I’d like to win a B-Boy (breakdance) battle and play the lead role in ‘Oliver.’”

He’s got long term plans too. Clar hopes to attend Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, and he’d like to become a teacher. “There is something rewarding about sharing a concept and helping people understand something they were previously confused about,” he says.

In spite of his busy schedule and diverse interests, Clar is a normal kid at heart. If he ever had a day completely free of obligations, he says he would spend it “playing Animal Crossing on Nintendo along with [his friend] Branden and eating cheese pizza and Cheese Weezy Breadsticks from Bella Pizzeria.”

For more information on Footlite Musicals, please visit footlite.org.