RYAN KELLY

Photo by Jonathan Ellul

Ryan has been a part of the Canadian Entertainment Industry for over 30 years. A graduate from Sheridan College’s Music Theatre Program Ryan has enjoyed opportunities to perform on many stages and in a wide variety  of mediums.

As an Arts Educator, Ryan has taught in the GTA for Studio 180, Wexford Collegiate, Earl Haig, Bishop Strachan, Cardinal Carter, The Claude Watson Arts Program, Westhill Collegiate, and The Toronto Heschel School. He also was Drama Teacher at Children’s Garden Nursery School. Ryan is part of the Guest Teacher and Consultant Roster for Earl Haig and Cardinal Carter and is currently on faculty at George Brown Dance where he teaches the Acting programme. In addition to being a performance and show consultant for their Next Stage and In Haus presentations, Ryan has worked as Acting Coach for Ballet Jörgen’s “The Nutcracker”. Ryan has also had the pleasure of travelling to Monterrey Mexico as a guest acting teacher/speaker for the Dubo and Triple Force Music Theatre Conferences & Symposiums.

Some of his favourite stage credits include: Falsettos (Winnipeg Jewish Theatre), Avenue Q (Citadel Theatre - Sterling Award), Mamma Mia (Mirvish), The House of Martin Guerre (Canadian Stage Co), Robin Hood/Cinderella (Ross Petty), Rocky Horror Show (Sudbury Theatre Centre), The Normal Heart (Studio 180 - Dora Nomination), Living with Henry (Off Bway - Performance Citation), Will the Real JT LeRoy Please Stand Up (Buddies in Bad Times - Dora Award Winner). Ryan has participated in many productions at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre for Sky Gilbert: Suzie Goo:Private Secretary, I have AIDS, Dancing Queen and The Shakespeare Project I, II & III. He has appeared in numerous Toronto Indie Shows and Fringe, Summerworks and Rhubarb! Festivals: History of Summer, Lifelike Luv, Crush, Craplicker, Soulless, She Walks the Line, and Gash! Workshops: Dr. Silver (Acting Upstage Co) The Proust Project (New Ideas Festival) Gay for Pay (BIBT) Small Gods (Outside the March) and The Edward Bond Festival. Ryan was also part of the Laramie Project Event with Studio 180 at the Panasonic Theatre and Common Roof’s Production of Here Lies Henry.

Ryan has also performed for Royal Caribbean and Holland America Cruise Lines and many Summer Stock and Regional Theatres including Drayton Entertainment, Capitol Theatre Port Hope and The Grand Theatre London.

Ryan can be seen in various TV programs and Films including: Murdoch Mysteries (CBC) Saving Hope (CTV) Bitten (SyFy) Warehouse 13 (Space) Queer As Folk (Showtime) The Dog Walker (TIFF) Serialized (Incendo) Almost Audrey (CTV/Canada Comedy Nomination) Young Werther (Werther Movie Company) Cosmopolis (Cronenberg/Prospero Pictures). He has also appeared in over 35 television commercials/PSAs. During the pandemic Ryan co-hosted Youtube Live: Big Girl and Friends raising over 45k for the Actors’ Fund of Canada.

As Director: Matilda & Secret Garden (Mainstage Theatre Company) Two Kittens and a Kid (Edinburgh Fringe) Downtown Jay (Toronto Fringe) Cocktails and Fairytales (Glass Slipper Squad).

As Writer: Cordelia (Youtube/Rhubarb!Festival), What Happened To Lee? (Human Body Expression)

As Dramaturge/Consultant: Happy Family (Toronto Fringe), Jesus Christ Superstar (Talk is Free Theatre), Ragtime (Musicals Reimagined), Pippin and JCS (Sheridan College), We Will Rock You (Theatre Under the Stars Vancouver)

As Associate Director for Toronto Musical Concerts: Into The Woods, Company, Assassins, Merrily We Roll Along, Parade, & Urinetown

As Adjudicator: Pop/Rock Adjudicator at The Oakville Vocal Arts Festival

Awards
Dora Award - Best Actor Independent Theatre “Will the Real JT LeRoy Please Stand Up?”
Dora Award Nomination - Best Actor in a Featured Role “The Normal Heart”
New York Music Theatre Festival - Outstanding Performance Citation “Living With Henry”
Baja California Film Festival - Best Actor “The Dog Walker”
Genie Award Nomination - Best Short Film “The Dog Walker”
Sterling Award - Best Ensemble “Avenue Q”, Citadel Theatre
Greg Bond Post Graduate Scholarship - Sheridan College (received twice)
Wind Beneath My Wings Award - Sheridan College

Ryan is a long standing member of the Canadian Actor’s Equity Association (CAEA) and Actra: Alliance of Cinema, Television and Radio Artists.

Ryan is represented by Maggie Dunlop of Oldfield Talent Management -  www.oldfieldmanagement.com

  • Photo by Mike Longley

  • “Merrily We Roll Along” - Toronto Musical Concerts

  • “The Rocky Horror Show” - Sudbury Theatre Centre

  • “The Normal Heart” - Studio 180 Theatre

  • “Dancing Queen” - Buddies in Bad Times Theatre