"You never know how the arts will impact someone’s life.  We [as educators] make it possible for crystal moments to be manifested, so that everyone will be inspired to follow their dreams.  And in following those dreams, they may go on to inspire someone else as well.  And they may go on to inspire someone else.  And someone else.  And so on..."

Currently, Ryan serves on the faculty of Michigan State University's Arts, Cultural Management & Museum Studies program where he teaches Intro to Arts & Cultural Management. In the wake of the pandemic, Ryan revolutionized a virtual education, leading from a place of compassion to serve MSU's students in a conscious, engaging way. As a Graduate Assistant, he helped create the program's student-produced podcast series exploring careers in the arts & cultural field.

 

Since 2014, Ryan has been teaching with OpenSpot Theatre (formerly 4th Wall Theatre Company), providing performing arts education for individuals with intellectual disabilities.  As a collaborative instructor, he creates unique lesson plans, writes scripts with student collaboration, choreographs dances for all physical abilities, and stage manages final showcases.

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Ryan also served as the Institute for Arts and Creativity intern at Wharton Center for Performing Arts, helping to administer the Disney Musicals in Schools Lansing-based program. He also created lesson plans and trained teaching artists for Wharton Center's Act One Arts Educators program, a program providing free teaching artist visits to classrooms who will be attending a touring youth theatrical production at Wharton Center. In addition, he also helped administer the Sutton Foster Ovation Awards, the Michigan subset of the national Jimmy Awards.

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Ryan's other teaching experience includes Playhouse on the Square, Michigan State University, Marquis Theatre, Lansing Public Schools, Holt Public Schools, Dewitt Public Schools, and Northville Public Schools. (Materials available upon request).