Current Projects 

CLOWN SEX ED
Written and Performed by Zachary Chiero and Tara Demmy
Music by Conor Sheehan
Production Manager Dallas Padoven

Clown Sex Ed is a hilarious romp through the challenges, the failures and the horror stories of American sex education. Tara Demmy and Zachary Chiero poke fun at your gym teacher, your abstinence class and your parents' awkward talk and examine not only what they said but more importantly what they left out. 

The show simultaneously displays the limitations of existing models of sex education (from schools, religious institutions, parents) while offering a more inclusive, joy-based sex ed.  Plus, the show is full of comedy, acrobatics, and live music! 

Now touring! Check out clownsexed.com for more information. 
MERELY PLAYERS
I am a company member of Merely Players, a theatre located in the small mountain town of Durango, CO, producing exceptional work including plays, musicals, and devised work. 

I perform in shows, assist with costumes and set builds, and teach regular workshops in physical theatre and scene work - helping to build out their new education programs for adults and teens. 

Credits: 
  • Small Mouth Sounds (Alicia). The play is set at a silent retreat and features few words, a unique challenge for actors to rely mostly on physicality.  
  • The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (Nellie, ensemble) an all-ages show featuring masks, projections, and puppets. 
ARMED SERVICES ARTS PARTNERSHIP   
ASAP provides free arts and comedy classes to veterans, service members, military family members, and caregivers in Washington DC, Indianapolis, San Diego, Hampton Roads, and online. As Program Director, I lead a growing programs team to deliver ASAP’s impact nationally.

Highlights include: 
  • Increased ASAP programs by 50% through new partnerships, serving 1,500 unique veterans in 2024, the most in ASAP’s history.  
  • Coordinate ASAP's annual Teaching Artist Training, bringing in 85 arts instructors from all over the country.
  • Work closely with ASAP’s research team to monitor and evaluate the impact of six-week classes.
  • Produce military shows all across the country. Highlights include: 
    • The White House: storytelling, poetry, and comedy show celebrating women veterans 
    • Cobb's Comedy Club in San Francisco: stand-up show centered on the theme of economic disparity and "The American Dream" 
    • National Press Club: storytelling show about experiences with the GI Bill, hosted by the Veterans Benefits Administration 
    • Dog Tag Bakery in DC: Pride open mic featuring LGBTQ+ veterans. 
​

Past Projects

WASHINGTON IMPROV THEATER (2018-2023)
Performed long-form improvisation with House Ensemble “Uncle Gorgeous" and was director of House Ensemble “Nox,” DC’s longest running improv troupe.
VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY PRODUCTIONS (2016 - 2018)
Photos from Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play and Much Ado About Nothing.  
 BODY DOORS  
An original grotesque clown piece performed at Villanova University's Gender & Women's Studies Conference.  ​
YOU'RE NOT SPECIAL 
A show about millennials that utilizes the satirical, mock-the-audience style of bouffon to explore this doomed(?) generation, their impractical dreams, and crippling anxiety. Oh, and Chekhov's The Seagull. ​
FAKE OFF,  SEASON 2  (truTV)    
Reality show where circus, dance, and theatre groups compete weekly with a new theme/challenge.
MANI PEDI SKETCH COMEDY  
Promotional pictures for Karen's Dream, an original sketch show combining sketch, music, dance, and spoken word. 
TRIBE OF FOOLS (2013 - 2021) 
Tribe of Fools (Philadelphia, PA) creates original plays by engaging actors, circus artists, comedians, designers, directors, and writers in a process that embraces play, raw theatricality, and kinetic storytelling. Winner of the 2018 Barrymore Award for Evolving Theatre Company. Performed in 5 world-premieres including 2017 Philly Fringe hit Fishtown - A Hipster Noir, which garnered a Barrymore nomination for Best Ensemble. Photos from production of Zombies...with Guns. 
BOUFFON RESIDENCY 
Created work in week-long residency at Drop Forge & Tool. Created site-specific bouffon performance focusing on the themes of home.  
HELIKOS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF THEATRE CREATION 
Photos from class performances in clown and mask.