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Photo by David Heasley

ARTISTIC STATEMENT

"My work aims to convey authentic human behavior in the realm of musical theatre. I connect and ground actors and audience to the text, and work from there to earn the heightened emotional and critical quality required of musical theatre. This beloved genre is a platform for exploring issues facing our society, and it has the power to transform. I am drawn most to work that challenges our way of thinking, raises awareness of our social constructs, inspires thoughtful reflection, and promotes human connection and productive discourse."

THE CRITICS SAY . . .

"Whether or not you are a fan of the original CATS, you don't want to miss this fresh new production, which breathes a real human element into the felines and communicates a message of eternal acceptance in a world of constant opposition."

~ broadwayworld.com

NEWS & REVIEWS

On January 25, 2023, Ryan was named the new Managing Artistic Director of Stageworks Theatre in Houston. Stageworks Theatre is the premiere theatrical producer in Northwest Harris County presenting professional theatre with a community feel. The company's robust training programs have launched the careers of many young performers. Ryan began consulting for the organization in the fall of 2022 while directing The Addams Family. This positions marks a triumphant return to the world of non-profit management which Ryan left in the beginning of 2018 to pursue his masters degree. 
“I knew only a couple weeks into directing The Addams Family at Stageworks that this was an incredibly passionate company. It immediately felt like home, and I feel deeply honored to have been asked to lead this community of dedicated artists and educators.”
THE ADDAMS FAMILY
Ryan's Houston, TX directorial debut opened October 7 at Stageworks Theatre. The Addams Family is "creepy, kooky, altogether outstanding" says the Houston Chronicle! 
Stageworks Theatre, housed in an unassuming strip center in Cypress, takes on a big task in filling the musical's funny and frightful shoes. Is it possible for a scrappy but modest company to fully inhabit these iconic characters and do justice to the book's wry humor? The answer, to put it plainly, is absolutely. 
​~ Houston Chronicle
SEUSSICAL RECEIVES TRIUMPHANT REVIEWS!
"The Texas State University Department of Theatre and Dance gives SEUSSICAL a genius makeover and renews our faith in humanity. In Scarlata's SEUSSICAL, we get to discover new underlying themes that finally make sense of the imaginary world of Dr. Seuss. Mr. Scarlata gives us a lot to think about. In his vision of SEUSSICAL, we get to admire the bravery of those that live their lives at the beat of their own drums. We learn that to change traditions, we may need to create a bit of mischief first. We remember that community requires neighbors that will do the impossible to help a fellow human in need."
~ BroadwayWorld Austin
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Photo by Arthur Bryan Marroquin
BIOGRAPHY
​Ryan Scarlata began his two-decade theatrical career as an actor, but turned toward directing before graduating college. He has since continued some acting and has appeared onstage in Off-Broadway, regional, theme park, and national touring performances. Favorite credits include Albin in La Cage Aux Folles, Felix in The Owl and the Pussycat, the titular role in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, and Jamie in The Last Five Years. Ryan originated the role of Papa Bear in both the Off-Broadway and first national touring production of Berenstain Bears Live! 

Favorite regional directing credits include CATS, Newsies, Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach, 9 to 5 The Musical, 13 The Musical, Sweeney Todd, RENT, The Producers, Once On This Island, Meet Me in St. Louis and Little Shop of Horrors. He served as Associate Director for the Off-Broadway and National Tour production of Berenstain Bears Live!, and recently as Assistant Director for Sister Act and Disney’s The Little Mermaid at Theatre Under The Stars with Tony nominee Dan Knechtges.

Ryan has worked nationwide as a director and educator, is a 2016 recipient of the Freddie G. Teaching Award from Music Theatre International's CEO/President Freddie Gershon, and is a proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.

Since February of 2023, Ryan has served as the Managing Artistic Director of Stageworks Theatre in Houston. Stageworks Theatre is the premiere theatrical producer in Northwest Harris County presenting professional theatre with a community feel. The company's robust training programs have launched the careers of many young performers. Read press release here!

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