Ryan CunninghamNēhiyawi/Cree/ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐃ from Amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton, Alberta)
Ryan’s family comes from Edmonton, and he is a member of The Michel Band First Nation, the largest disenfranchised Indigenous community in Canada. He has worked as an actor, producer, writer, director, manager and event creator across Canada and the World for over 30 years. His company, Cunning Concepts & Creations, produces and tours the Award-winning production, HUFF written and performed by Cliff Cardinal. Originally produced by Native Earth Performing Arts under the Artistic Direction of Ryan Cunningham. HUFF had its US premier at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC just before the COVID lock-down in 2020. Most recently Ryan has acted in: Julius Caesar (Crows Theatre), The Garneau Block (Citadel Theatre), AN OCTOROON, Madness of King George, Grand Hotel, Oh What a Lovely War (Shaw Festival). Ryan can be seen in all 5 seasons of the award winning APTN TV-series, BLACKSTONE; playing the role of Darcy Douglas. An alumnus of the RBC Director Development Residency at Canadian Stage Theatre and current Company Member of the Canadian Stage-University of Toronto: BMO Lab. Ryan has been nominated for the KLM Hunter Artist Award and the inaugural Johanna Metcalf Performing Arts Prize. And is the current recipient of the RBC Rising Star Emerging Director Award at Crows Theatre.
In 2009 Ryan co-founded Alberta Aboriginal Performing Arts with Christine Sokaymoh Frederick. Edmonton's first professional Indigenous theatre company. Where he served as the founding Artistic Director for 5 years and co-produced the annual RUBABOO International Indigenous Arts Festival. Both AAPA and RUBABOO, celebrated their 13th-year Anniversary this year. From 2014 – 2017 Ryan had the honour of serving as Artistic Director at Native Earth Performing Arts after working at the company for over 10 years as an artist and administrator.
After 30 years of professional experience in management, administration, production and artistic roles in Theatre, Film, TV, Events Management and Promotions: Ryan is committed to focusing his expertise on the advocacy and advancement of Indigenous Art and Culture, which are inherently one and the same. Ryan’s Artistic leadership career currently focuses on supporting organizations and events that showcase Aboriginal art, artists, culture, and education through the arts.
Ryan can be seen in the upcoming production of: The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, by Bertolt Brecht. Directed by Johanna Schall, Brecht’s Granddaughter. Co-Produced by Canadian Stage Theatre & the University of Toronto. This Spring Ryan will co-star in the award-winning play, The Hours That Remain by Keith Barker at Theatre Aquarius in Hamilton. He is currently developing two original plays at Canadian Stage Theatre and The Blyth Theatre Festival.
Awards, Links & Podcasts:
Ryan has been nominated for the KLM Hunter Artist Award and the inaugural Johanna Metcalf Performing Arts Prize. And is the current recipient of the RBC Rising Star Emerging Director Award at Crows Theatre.
