Ryan
Bauer-Walsh (BFA ‘o6), studied Music Theatre at Hartt from 2002 to 2006. He is currently living in New York
City.
What
have you been up to since you graduated from Hartt?
After Graduating
in 2006 from the Theatre Division at Hartt I moved straight to NYC. I had
worked with Goodspeed’s Festival of New Artists through the Music Theatre
divisions relationship with their theatre company and it helped them get to
know me. After a few auditions in NYC, Goodspeed cast me in Nell Benjamin’s
PIRATES! It was a new take on Pirates of Penzance and I got my Equity
card. Getting my card helped me make the transition from school to
performing professionally. I went on tour after that with Theatre Works USA for
my first national touring experience with Paul Revere. It was a great way to
see the country and it really developed my work ethic.
After
that I realized the only way to work in NYC was to audition constantly. I did
about 260 auditions in one year back when you could go to four a day. I was
running between audition studios and getting to know all the casting directors
in town and finally I booked my first Production Contract. Lonny Price, who I
had met at the American Theatre Wing’s SPRINGBOARD boot camp two years prior,
cast me in BROADWAY: 3 GENERATIONS at The Kennedy Center. It was my birthday
that day and he called me personally to let me know I was going to be part of
the show. It was life changing to work with that team of creatives. After that,
I did the First National Tour of BILLY ELLIOT, the International tour of ZORRO,
toured Europe with Silver Sea, ENCORES Most Happy Fella, and I’ve worked
regionally in theater around the country.
I also
have built a career as a Voice Over actor, as an illustration artist,
commissioned painter and I recently published my first book; Rusty The Rescue-
which proceeds from the sales go to help shelter dogs.
What
are you involved with right now and is there a specific career highlight?
I was
recently invited back to reprise my role as Pietro, with the Prospect Theatre
Company in their production of Death For Five Voices. We will be doing a
developmental residency to workshop the production in Gesualdo, Italy- which is
where the story in the musical takes place. We will be performing in the
castle where the protagonist lived. I also just made my debut as Jean Valjean
in the Maltz Jupiter Theatre’s production of Les Miserables— which to date was
one of the most thrilling experiences I have had on stage.
But I
think one of the best experiences I have had as a performer in a while was
actually just this last month. I was invited by The New York Special Olympics
to perform at their opening ceremony on October 16th. Over 1000 athletes
gathered with supporters and fans at the Glenn Falls Civic Center for the
event. Meeting such an amazing group of people and being able to be a part of
that evening was incredible! The event is completely built on the strength of
volunteers. We had less than 20 minutes to tech the performance, but in that
time we were able to create a flash mob of 60 dancers who took to the floor
while I sang a version of Katy Perry’s FIREWORK— for which Hartt Professor
Michael Morris created an amazing orchestration for the evening. Thank you again,
Mike!!
What
is one of your most memorable moments from your time at Hartt?
