Zach Woodlee is an American choreographer and dancer. He was choreographer and co-producer of the TV seriesGlee. He has choreographed many other films such as Hairspray and Bedtime Stories.
Biography
Early life and education
Zachary Vinson Woodlee was born April 27, 1977 in Mesquite, Texas. He has three brothers, Matt, Beau and Slade, who all took dance classes. He graduated from Poteet High School in Mesquite. Woodlee was voted "Most Popular Guy" and was nicknamed "Mr. Poteet". He later went on to attend University of North Texas. Zach Woodlee spent his early life in his mother’s dance studio in Mesquite. It should be no surprise that he is now pursuing a career in acting. In the past year, he’s made some impressive progress. Woodlee starred in his first commercial, for Pop Rocks, when he was 12 years old. From there, he worked with the Kim Dawson studio in Dallas and won the UIL state competition for his role of Davey in a school play. He can be seen appearing in Old Navy television ads. Some of his other commercial appearances include ads for Exxon, Sony and Abracat.com. After graduating from Poteet High School in 1995, his parents encouraged him to attend college. He started looking into geriatrics, but his heart belonged to the stage. After a short stay, he decided to go to Los Angeles and try his luck there. "My heart just broke," said his mother, Vicki Woodlee. "We didn’t want him to go." Although he had no friends or connections in L.A., Woodlee auditioned for an apprenticeship at The Performing Arts Center in Van Nuys. He won a full scholarship. During his one year of study at the academy, Woodlee was bound by contract not to audition for any outside parts. Following completion, however, he has not stopped moving.
Career
Unlike agents in Dallas, agents in Los Angeles are specialized. Woodlee’s agents have kept him working extensively. He has traveled and performed with Madonna, LeAnn Rimes and Mandy Moore. He can also be seen in the music video "Pinch Me" by the Barenaked Ladies and "Boom Boom" By performer Chayanne. He has appeared or choreographed in such movies as "Boys and Girls," Beautiful" and "Real Steel." Other acting bits include a role in the made-for-TV movie "These Old Broads" with Shirley MacLaine, Debbie Reynolds, Joan Collins and Elizabeth Taylor and the sitcom "Nikki". He was a back-up dancer for Madonna in her 2004 Re-Invention World Tour. Woodlee was also one of the choreographers Glee alongside Brooke Lipton and was the co-producer of the show. He also co-produced The Glee Project. In January 2016, he choreographed .
