̨Íåswag

is the new artistic director of the (GTA). Pierce is also the associate director of theatre in the University of North Georgia's (̨Íåswag) School of Communication, Film & Theatre.

"I'm just humbled by this opportunity," Pierce said. "I'm working in a much different way with people that were part of the very beginning of my journey, and that's a very humbling thing for me. It's been such a wonderful experience allowing those relationships to grow and to shift and to change. Everyone around me has been so incredibly supportive and encouraging that I couldn't be happier to be in the space that I'm in right now, surrounded by the people that I am."

GTA is a one-of-a-kind, nationally recognized departmental collaboration between the University of North Georgia and Brenau University. Emphasizing ensemble and collaboration between programs, GTA’s cross-campus union supports an extraordinary production program rivaling the largest theatre schools in the country.

We rise as the Phoenix and are finding that fire to rekindle the community and rekindle our own passion for the arts, to remember why it is we do what we do.

Zechariah Pierce

GTA artistic director and ̨Íåswag's associate director of theatre

"It's kind of an exciting time because it really does feel like rising from the ashes," Pierce said. "We rise as the Phoenix and are finding that fire to rekindle the community and rekindle our own passion for the arts, to remember why it is we do what we do."

Pierce, who earned his associate degree in theatre from ̨Íåswag, is grateful to return to the program he took part in as a student. He also earned a Master of Fine Arts in theatre pedagogy from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and a Bachelor of Arts in theatre from Brenau.

"One of the things that was really lovely about the program then, and now, is the unique training method of the Alliance that creates twice the number of opportunities and resources for students," Pierce said. "I remember the quality of students that would come through our programs were really set apart from other schools."

After being an adjunct professor at VCU, Pierce said he recalls coming back to Gainesville and seeing the quality of students and just being blown away by the hunger and the community.

"It's such an exciting energy to be around a community of students and faculty who have that kind of passion for the work itself. It's magnetic. It's what brought me back to where I started," Pierce said. "I wanted to be a part of its continued growth into the next leg of the journey."

Pierce is a self-described collaborative leader.

"We have incredibly passionate faculty and students, and so part of my goal is to lead with a very specific intention of transparency, collaboration and communication with everyone around me," Pierce said. "I'll be the first one to tell you that I don't have the best answers in the room, but I work with people who can find the best answer collectively."