Zach Ward is a Chapel Hill-Carrboro resident. He founded DSI Comedy Theater, where he is artistic director, and also started the North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival, for which he serves as executive producer.
A critically acclaimed comedian, Ward performs locally and around the country.
His world centers on his work. “I typically work until 2 a.m. (often later) and wake up by 8:30 a.m. every day. The DSI Comedy Office is my house, so it’s really just a quick brush my teeth, make coffee and get back to work.”
Wednesday, May 26
Noon. DSI Comedy Theater, 200 N. Greensboro St., Carrboro
I meet with Boys & Girls Club rep about DSI fundraising.
2:30 p.m. Drove to Chick-fil-A at University Mall, 201 S. Estes Drive, Chapel Hill
(No Spicy Chicken Sandwich yet.) I go here whenever I schedule meetings in the area. Or do I schedule meetings when I need Polynesian sauce?
7:30 p.m. Anna Maria’s at Carrboro Plaza, Highway 54 West, Carrboro
I drove here to meet with Aaron Keck about DSI Witness News. My Little Italy comfort food = baked ziti with Italian sausage.
9 p.m. DSI Comedy Office, 200 N. Greensboro St., Carrboro
Back to work for the night.
Thursday, May 27
Noon. DSI Comedy Theater to manage Justin, our WalkCarrboro Social Media intern.
1 p.m. Carrburritos, 711 W. Rosemary St., Carrboro
I walked here to meet with Kevin Browning about CageMatch and improv. We sat outside and enjoyed burritos mejor, guac and sour cream on the side. My favorite meat on the inside. Can you guess what it was? It’s the special and NOT the tofu.
3 p.m. Weaver Street Market, 101 E. Weaver St., Carrboro
Walked over for black unsweetened iced tea meeting with Zannie Gunn.
4 p.m. Walked back to DSI Comedy Theater, work up until Improv 201 class at 7 p.m.
10 p.m. Armadillo Grill, 120 E. Main St., Carrboro for my “office hours”: Eat chips, queso and talk comedy and walk home.
Friday, May 28
11:30 a.m. FullSteam Brewery, 726 Rigsbee Ave., Durham
I drove over to tour the new space and talk potential @DSIcomedy performance opportunities with my friend (and incredible entrepreneur) Sean Lilly Wilson.
12:30 p.m. Tyler’s Taproom, 324 Blackwell St., at American Tobacco in Durham
Drove to enjoy lunch with Ginny Skalski. We talked about blogging, my spa addiction, Shakori Hills, LED lighting and boys. I ordered the French dip, but the pulled pork looked great.
3 p.m. Dry Clean Warehouse, Historic Martin Luther King Blvd., Chapel Hill
Actually DCW is on 2801 Homestead Road, so there goes my joke. I get my shirts pressed. What?
7 p.m. DSI Comedy Theater for shows, Mister Diplomat.
9 p.m. The Station at Southern Rail, 201-C E. Main St., Carrboro
Walked over and had a Highland Brewing Mocha Stout with Nieman & Poole wedding guests (and a lot of old friends).
Home by 1:30 a.m. and blogging by 2 a.m.
Saturday, May 29
11:30 a.m. Carolina Fitness, 503 W. Main St., Carrboro
I walked there to put in 45 minutes on the elliptical to film a couple episodes of ZW Works Out. We can assume I went to the gym EVERY DAY until this project started, right?
5 p.m. The Old Well at UNC Chapel Hill
Drove to a wedding rehearsal for Assistant DA Jeff Nieman (my college DJ partner) and Stephanie Poole. Fantastic weather.
6:45 p.m. He’s Not Here, 112 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill for a private rehearsal dinner. Sweet Water in Blue Cups and ribs catered by Pig Masters. Oh, and a record number of speeches! (probably because of the Blue Cups).
Sunday, May 30
11 a.m. ACME Food & Beverage Co., 110 E. Main St., Carrboro
Walked over for brunch with Jessica Revels. What didn’t I eat? So good. I somehow got ousted as the Mayor of ACME on foursquare and am working to correct this.
2 p.m. Berkshire Manor West, 112 N.C. Highway 54 Bypass
I drove there for an impromptu pool party. SPF-15 and a bottle of water. We left just after a lesbian hipster scolded two kids for flipping off a ladder. Not even I’m strong enough to mediate that conflict.
4 p.m. Franklin Street Courthouse, 101 W. Franklin St.
We got ready in the judge’s chambers and took wedding pictures. My favorite, 12 Angry Men in the jury box.
5:30 p.m. The Old Well for THE WEDDING! Fantastic weather. Not fantastic? Charcoal gray suits.
6 p.m. R&R Grill, 136 E. Rosemary St. for dancing and Fat Tire. Not necessarily in that order.
11 p.m. Bada Wings, 302 B E. Main St., Carrboro for late-night snack. We were the only people in the entire restaurant, listening to an amazing (however out of place) jazz mix. Crazy scene.
Monday, May 31
9 a.m. My bed, where I stayed for a couple more hours. It was a holiday.
1:30 p.m. Took the Prius to Mediterranean Deli, 410 W. Franklin St., for takeout brunch! (Can you consider hummus and lamb breakfast?) Apparently, Med Deli was the place to be on Memorial Day. But worth it.
2:30 p.m. Downtown Hillsborough for lunch with a friend’s family. Very historic.
5 p.m. Drove to Best Buy, 5454 New Hope Commons Drive, Durham, to pick up The Wire. After debating buying each season I got the entire series. OMAR COMING! (After one night I’m on Episode 4.)
6 p.m. Whole Foods, 621 Broad St., Durham, to get ingredients for dinner at home. Walked past a couple, Wife loading up the cart while Husband shook his head and said, “Shit be cheaper at Kroger.”
Tuesday, June 1
9:30 a.m. DSI Comedy Office to #Hustle after the Memorial Day wedding weekend.
12:30 p.m. Drove to Top of the Hill, 100 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, to meet with Barry Leffler from 1360 WCHL. We talked about the station, Chapel Hill-Carrboro, DSI Witness News and a new super-secret comedy podcast.
3 p.m. On foot now to Weaver Street, 101 E. Weaver St., Carrboro for a DSI summer intern interview.
4 p.m. DSI Comedy Theater to work and prepare for 6-8 p.m. Improv 501 class.
9:15 p.m. Tyler’s Taproom, 102 E. Main St., Carrboro
Had a Young’s Double Chocolate Stout and caught up with Paula Pazderka about her new job at RTI and writing her bookwatch out, Sedaris Family!
