Ryan David Heywood
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About Ryan David Heywood

I never knew how 2 years in Kazakhstan was going to affect my acting career. But I was able to draw on that experience as the roles started to come in - Russian business man, homeless man and a WWII German. What other roles will my experiences walk me into?

My blue eyes and my height tend to make a lot of choices for me.  In the eyes of directors it goes from creepy loner to arrogant villain to good-looking sweet leading man. Let my eyes be your crystal ball into the future - the handyman neighbor, the confused rebel, the young broken husband.

I was brought up through the improv/sketch training centers of Chicago - from iO to Annoyance to Second City. The last few years I have added other arrows to my quiver. Meisner Training from The Artistic Home Theatre. Scene Study at Profile's Theatre and Cold Reading at the Acting Studio. The list is growing as I add more arrows to my (yup I get to use that word again) quiver. 

I often think about how my acting career is like marathon training. For me it's about the long haul not the sprint. I have to be dedicated to go the distance. I have run 4 marathons, and there is nothing more vulnerable than at the finish line when you are filled with happiness and extreme exhaustion (plus the sweat and smell - yikes!) and the stream of words that come out of my mouth. Two words: No Filter.  Just like being in front of a camera or on stage - I get a chance to see what I am made of - I like that challenge. Plus all that training helped me to wear a 1940's speedo, 4 times a week for 2.5 hours at a time. 

I have gathered experiences from around the world, walked in the unknown in front of people hundreds of times and put myself into self-induced vulnerable states. I am willing to walk into the unknown with you…are you?

My Resume

Eyes: Blue        Hair: Blonde        Height: 6'3"    Weight: 180
THEATER

Hauptmann
​Circle-Machine

The Orchestra
​The Night of the Iguana

Marisol
Martyr
Standin Water
Tangerine
How You Will Die
The Space Behind Your Heart
Hardcore Yard Sale
The Waiting Room
Oops... I Christmased Again
Confessions of a Tramp Stamp
Fatallica


Lindbergh
Hermann
Hannu
​Wolfgang
Homeless Man
Dorflinger/Menrath (u/s)
Kiel
Jerrett
Eckels
Connor
Leo
V
Justin Bieber
Himself 
Mop


City Lit Theater
​Oracle Theatre
Akvavit Theatre
​The Artistic Home Theatre
The Artistic Home Theatre
Steep Theatre
Chemically Imbalanced Comedy
The Artistic Home Studio
Fury Theatre
Cold Basement Dramatics
The Artistic Home Studio
The Artistic Home Studio
Comedy Sportz Theater
The Annoyance Theater
The Annoyance Theater
  
TELEVISION/FILM

Chicago Fire                  Paramedic Field Chief
Such Creatures             Lead Actor - Lee Dekker

Empty Space                Hank
Self-Deortation             Happy Husband
Here Goes Nothing      Drunk Wise Guy
Scotty Works Out         Speedy   


IMPROVISATION

Burrito Wilson
Whiskey Rebellion
Panic Room


Dir:  Laneuville
​Dir: Thomas
Dir: Choi
Dir: Park
Dir: Eisenberg
Dir: Pal



Ensemble
Ensemble
Ensemble


NBC Productions
​1Kn1ghts Productions
Beachwood Pictures
Full Spectrum Features
Tall Tale Productions
Dan Pal Productions



The Playground Theatre
iO-Chicago
Independent
TRAINING

The Green Room Studio
Profile's Training
The Acting Studio
The Artistic Home
iO Training Center

Second City Writing Program
Jimmy Carrane


On-Camera
Intensive scene study
Cold reading
Meisner technique
Improvisation

Sketch writing
The Art of Slow Comedy


David Murphy and Sean Bradley
Darryl Cox
Adrianne Curry
Kathy Scambiaterra, John Mossman, Mary Ann Thebus
Noah Gregoropoulos, Michael Patrick O'Brien, Shad Kunkle, Holly Laurent, Jay Sukow
Mary Ann Scruggs
Jimmy Carrane
SPECIAL SKILLS
Dog whisperer, Endurance Running, Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Kazakhstan), Yoga, Safe Driver, Welding, Insightfulness

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  • Actor
  • About Me
  • Upcoming Shows and Projects
  • My Reel
  • Contact