Realizing the Artistic Journey with Hannah Ryan
Hannah Ryan welcomes the randomness of life. The Brisbane, Australia native was excelling on a pre-med path at university when she describes, “I went to Berlin for my 21st [birthday] with my older sister and had a revelation; my mind was opened again and I decided to go to acting school overseas, something I had always dreamt of. When I got home to Australia I spent weeks preparing my audition and received a full scholarship to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. I moved 6 months later and the rest is history!” That history includes theater productions and film work in Australia, the UK, and Hollywood. Perhaps free-spirited, most certainly talented, and being open to the possibilities has encouraged this actress to pursue a life of creativity; acquiring many admirers both within the film & TV production industry as well as the public. Pulitzer Prize winning plays to Science Fiction films, Hannah Ryan exudes the kind of authenticity which greatness is built upon. From silver screen to streaming services; you’ll find Hannah Ryan’s ubiquity increasing. With a number of upcoming projects, that status is about to become exponentially larger.
In the Vivienne Somers’ produced and directed Spirit, Ryan portrayed a suicidal teen battling family dysfunction and trauma. In contrast, the actress is set to appear as an angel who delivers enlightenment in Van Alden Studios Brixton. Lorraine Nicholson (known for the Oscar nominated film Click-2006) has recently cast Hannah for her film Play Girl. Whether she is in Hollywood, the UK, or any number of locations in the world, it’s not uncommon for this actress to be approached by filmmakers. She concedes, “Yes, looks is a part of the formula but it’s not the most important one; for others or for me. There may be a certain look someone has in mind for a character and if I fit that, I’m fine with it giving me the opportunity to show them what I can really do. I’ve spent a lot of time on set and working in live theater to hone my craft and I’m confident that I can reap the rewards of that when it comes to auditioning.” The are many aspects in an acting career as Ryan continues, “I never aimed to do theatre. While I grew up doing it with love and appreciation; I always had my sights set on movies because movies were what impacted and moved me the most. I was obsessed with film and it was committed to it. My acting school education was all about theatre with almost no film work. It gave me an education and appreciation for the world of theatre. I firmly believe all actors should do it at some point in their career because it helps you perfect your craft and really hone in on technique; being present, reactionary, listening, and avoiding an automatic approach.” The actress also points out her relationship with her mentor and (former) Vice President of Disney Theatrical Productions David Schrader (known for his work on Broadway productions of Aladdin, Frozen, and The Lion King) as one which helped define her path as an actress.
As with music, journalism, and other artistic mediums, storytelling is as vibrant and creative (if not more so) on streaming and other platforms as the long held traditional ones. Productions like Orange is the New Black (Netflix), A Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu), and numerous others are providing evidence that some of the most progressive and exceptional series are being created for a new generation but appreciated by multiple generations. Hannah has been cast as a series regular for BRAT, a digital Media Network which launched in 2017. Brat co-founder Darren Lachtman (founder of Niche, the influencer marketing agency which sold to Twitter for $55 million) is determined to bring the best creative professionals to this network currently showcasing some of their offerings on YouTube. While you’re on YouTube, you can also catch Ryan as the lead in Chet Faker’s (Nick Murphy) music video “Run Fast, Sleep Naked” directed by Oscar Zabala. The young actress who not so long ago won awards like Outstanding Actress of the Year award in the Queensland Drama Festival and others, Hannah Ryan finds herself appearing in numerous films and series. While her “star power” is undeniable, it’s taken years of work to position herself where it’s visible to everyone. For most of us, it’s just a click away.
