About Ryan Scarlata
Photo by Geneva Hyman
Ryan Scarlata is an actor, singer and theatrical director originally hailing from Centerville, Ohio with his parents Jerry and Donna, and two older brothers Curran and Aaron. He attended the prestigious acting program at Wright State University for many quarters before discovering that his interest in directing and producing was too great to ignore. Ryan withdrew from the acting program and continued to finish the year at WSU in the theatre studies program, seeking out classes to create a more solid directing foundation. He studied costume design, architecture, directing, women playwrights, Shakespeare and other mediums of performance. During this course work he directed the area premiere of The Guys by Anne Nelson. This piece was based on a true story of a journalist living in New York City during the 9/11 attacks. Ryan also directed the world premiere of Gracious Human Beings, a Quinton Tarentino-styled piece written by two students for the WSU Playwright's Festival.
Ryan later transferred to The Ohio State University where he found coursework more geared towards direction and production. He studied a much broadened variety of courses including presenting, marketing and graduate level directing. While in school, he began working with The Columbus Children's Theatre (CCT), being cast in several shows including the world premiere of the musical Ebenezer by composers Mark Friedman and Janet Yates Vogt, book by CCT's own Artistic Director William Goldsmith. With CCT, Ryan has subsequently directed productions of Miss Nelson is Missing, The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood, The Producers (pre-professional program) and the area premiere of Jonathan Larson's RENT (also produced through CCT's Summer Conservatory program enabling training and performance for a selected group of 18-22 year olds).
Ryan later transferred to The Ohio State University where he found coursework more geared towards direction and production. He studied a much broadened variety of courses including presenting, marketing and graduate level directing. While in school, he began working with The Columbus Children's Theatre (CCT), being cast in several shows including the world premiere of the musical Ebenezer by composers Mark Friedman and Janet Yates Vogt, book by CCT's own Artistic Director William Goldsmith. With CCT, Ryan has subsequently directed productions of Miss Nelson is Missing, The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood, The Producers (pre-professional program) and the area premiere of Jonathan Larson's RENT (also produced through CCT's Summer Conservatory program enabling training and performance for a selected group of 18-22 year olds).
A NEW BRAIN. Sarah Storer, Michael DeSantis. Photo by David Heasley
In 2006, Ryan co-founded The Club Theatre Company with friend and stage manager Allison Walker. During Ryan's position of Artistic Director, produced over a dozen shows over three years. These shows included A Piece of My Heart, Dracula, The Vagina Monologues, regional premieres of Hedwig and the Angry Inch and A New Brain and the world premiere of Bonnie Milligan's A Girl's Gotta Eat: The Musical.
Ryan left The Club Theatre Company in 2009 to focus on a position as actor for The Columbus Children's Theatre Professional Touring Company. He also spent a great deal of time with musicians Kristin Stowell, Carson Moody and Joe Spurlock performing in a band under the name The Real Thing.
In 2010, Ryan relocated to New York City where he was cast as Papa Bear in the original national tour of Berenstain Bears in Family Matters, the Musical with Matt Murphy Productions and Theatreworks USA. In 2011, Bears moved to Off-Broadway with Ryan and several other original cast members reprising their roles. While he is no longer in the cast, Ryan is still involved with the production as Associate Director. The show is currently running at The Marjorie S. Deane Little Theatre at 10 W. 64th St and Central Park West.
After becoming Associate Director, Ryan returned to writing Gettysburg Maid, a musical based on the life of Jennie Wade (the only civilian killed at the Battle of Gettysburg). This musical has been a work in progress since Ryan began college. He is collaborating with long-time friend, musical director and composer Kristin Stowell.
In April of 2012, Ryan returned to Columbus, Ohio to assume the role of Education Director at Columbus Children's Theatre. He is still very involved with Berenstain Bears and is continuing to work on Gettysburg Maid while settling into his new home in Dublin, Ohio.
Ryan left The Club Theatre Company in 2009 to focus on a position as actor for The Columbus Children's Theatre Professional Touring Company. He also spent a great deal of time with musicians Kristin Stowell, Carson Moody and Joe Spurlock performing in a band under the name The Real Thing.
In 2010, Ryan relocated to New York City where he was cast as Papa Bear in the original national tour of Berenstain Bears in Family Matters, the Musical with Matt Murphy Productions and Theatreworks USA. In 2011, Bears moved to Off-Broadway with Ryan and several other original cast members reprising their roles. While he is no longer in the cast, Ryan is still involved with the production as Associate Director. The show is currently running at The Marjorie S. Deane Little Theatre at 10 W. 64th St and Central Park West.
After becoming Associate Director, Ryan returned to writing Gettysburg Maid, a musical based on the life of Jennie Wade (the only civilian killed at the Battle of Gettysburg). This musical has been a work in progress since Ryan began college. He is collaborating with long-time friend, musical director and composer Kristin Stowell.
In April of 2012, Ryan returned to Columbus, Ohio to assume the role of Education Director at Columbus Children's Theatre. He is still very involved with Berenstain Bears and is continuing to work on Gettysburg Maid while settling into his new home in Dublin, Ohio.
Photo by Geneva Hyman
