Ryan Spahn
Ryan Spahn is a Drama Desk Award–winning American actor, known for his Off-Broadway work including Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ Gloria, a 2016 Pulitzer Prize finalist for Drama, and for writing the play Inspired By True Events, which was part of the Obie Award–winning inaugural season of Out of the Box Theatrics.
Spahn began his on-screen career as a teenager on Star Trek: Voyager, portraying the Borg child "First" in the episode "Collective." He has also appeared in over twenty national commercials, including Snickers: "Get Dunked On by Patrick Ewing", Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal, Ford Focus, Levi’s: "Make Them Your Own", and NY Lotto: "Fat Wallet".
As a filmmaker, he wrote and directed the feature film Nora Highland, which premiered at NewFest, and was later distributed internationally by Revry..
Spahn has performed in original Off-Broadway casts that went on to receive nominations from the Lucille Lortel Awards, Drama Desk Awards, Drama League Awards, Outer Critics Circle Awards, Obie Awards, Off Broadway Alliance Awards, and the New York Drama Critics' Circle.
Early life and education
Spahn grew up in Troy, Michigan, and attended Interlochen Arts Academy. He later earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Juilliard School. Spahn is of Jewish, Irish, and Scottish descent.Career
Theater / Stage
Film
Television
Playwriting
- Inspired By True Events — premiered Off-Broadway via Out of the Box Theatrics; licensed and published by Concord Theatricals. The play was developed in workshops with New York Stage and Film, Vineyard Theatre, and Ensemble Studio Theatre.
- Nora Highland — originally a stage piece later adapted into a film; was a finalist for the Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference.
- Blessed and Highly Favored — developed in workshop settings at Ensemble Studio Theatre and Vineyard Playhouse.
Awards and nominations
Publications and essays
Spahn has written essays and commentary for American Theatre Magazine, Talkhouse, USA Today, and Metro Weekly.He has maintained a decade-long correspondence and artistic friendship with playwright Adrienne Kennedy, which began after he performed in her work while at the Juilliard School. They wrote about their letter exchange in American Theatre Magazine in "The Landscape of Memory: Letters From Playwright Adrienne Kennedy".
His essays include:
- "Why I Keep Writing Letters to Adrienne Kennedy"
- "How You Can Count on Me Brought My Family Back Together"
- "For Michael"
- "Opinion: 'Trump-Biden Voter Conversation'", on audio journalism and representation in political discourse.
Personal life
He was previously in a relationship with actor Matt Dallas, discussed in his essay "For Michael."
Spahn has also maintained a decades-long friendship with actor Tessa Thompson, whom he met early in his career.