Creator/Performer/Co-Producer

Ryan Richards is a New Zealand actor and theatre-maker currently living in Auckland.

Originally from Dunedin, Ryan relocated to Wellington in 2005 to study at Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School – New Zealand’s oldest and most prestigious actor-training institution. During his three years of training he was able to take on professional screen roles outside of the classroom. This included roles in New Zealand Television series, Ride with the Devil and My Story.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Performing Arts in November, 2007 – Ryan’s career brought him to Auckland for a role in the US/Korean feature film, The Warrior’s Way – playing opposite Ocsar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush. Since then, Ryan has shot various NZ Television Commercials and played roles in various TV series including Shortland Street and Underbelly NZ.

In 2008, Ryan was invited to spend two months in Steamboat Springs, Colorado (U.S) performing community theatre with the Great American Laughing Stock Company (GALSCO).

No stranger to the local stage, Ryan has been cast in a myriad of roles for Auckland theatres – his credits include Crims by Thomas Sainsbury (2011), The Basement Theatre’s Christmas Productions (2010 -2015), Gwen in Purgatory by Tommy Murphy (2013) and most recently An Unseasonable Fall of Snow by Gary Henderson (2014) , playing opposite Michael Hurst.

Comedy theatre has always been Ryan’s foremost passion. Working collaboratively with others, Ryan has created and produced eight original comedy theatre productions over the past five years that have been staged in both Auckland and Wellington theatres.

In 2011, his co-created production A Stitch in Time which took out a majority of the awards in Auckland’s Short+Sweet Festival, including winning best overall production. An adapted production of A Stitch in Time was mounted as part of the Short+ Sweet Festival in Melbourne. In 2012 the same show was then adapted into a full length original musical extravaganza known as Bombs Away! A Musical.

In March of 2014, Ryan premiered his first solo-written and solo-performed production, A Boy Wonder – a 60 minute comedy adventure. This has been the most successful theatre production of his career which garnered glowing reviews from the media and audience alike. This year, Ryan has been developing A Boy Wonder. There is a return season at The Basement Theatre in April followed by at tour of Otago and Southland in May.