A Man of Many Faces. A profile of actor and artist Ryan Hardiman
What do Judas Iscariot and a transvestite named Hedwig have in common? They have both been brought to life by one of the tri-states' premier actors-Ryan Hardiman.
Not only a seasoned performer with 28 shows under his belt, Hardiman is also an accomplished professional graphic artist and theatrical set designer. He's a family man as well. Multi-faceted, versatile and delightfully charming, he is busy both on stage and off.
Hardiman brings the stage to life in roles that are as varied as your imagination. He has the ability to bring such life into a character that you forget he is acting. From the moment he appears to his final exit, there is no doubt that he owns the stage.
Versatility Is Key
This versatile actor has a bipolar theater resume. He has played both Jesus Christ and Judas in Contemporary Youth Arts Company productions of Jesus Christ Superstar. He also played the hilarious but tormented characters Riff-Raff and Frankenfurter in separate productions of The Rocky Horror Show with Charleston Stage Company and Appalachian Regional Theater. He brought both the Wolf and Cinderella's Prince to life in Into the Woods with Appalachian Regional Theater and the tortured characters Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in the musical of the same name with Ashland Community Theater.
Hardiman is a man who is not afraid to make sacrifices for his art. He recently lost 30 pounds to play one of his favorite roles, Hedwig in the Charleston Stage Company production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. "I lost a lot of weight-and a lot of time-to do Hedwig" he says. Not only did he dedicate himself to the title character, he also designed the set and served as the visual director for the production.
He is also willing to make artistic sacrifices for his family. He recently starred in the Huntington Outdoor Theatre production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, choosing to audition for this production rather than the upcoming Charleston Light Opera Guild version for the Clay Center. Why? He's getting married, and wants to dedicate time to his new family.
"For me, acting is a form of therapy and I take full advantage of transforming stress or negative energy into onstage passion. I love being able to pour myself into a character, exploring every aspect of the character's psyche. I have been able to take on roles that are completely unlike myself and come out on the other side with a greater empathy for others and a fuller understanding of human nature and motivations. Every character I've portrayed has taught me something new," says Hardiman.
An Unusual Act
Unlike many actors who begin performing in their youth, Hardiman was 31 when he went to his first audition. Although he felt he had the talent to perform, he had no experience, and thought his first role would be as a chorus member. However, Dan Kehde and Mark Scarpelli of the Contemporary Youth Arts Company had other ideas, and threw him headfirst into the part of Joseph in Mary- A Rock Opera. "It was sink or swim," he says, "and I'm still swimming!"
When it comes to the future, there are certain roles Hardiman would like to play again, but there are others still on his wish list. Ideally, he would love to create a completely original production from the inner reaches of his mind, taking it through to production.
One can only imagine and wait with anticipation to see what genius he can create. His parting words sets the stage for what is yet to come from this talented man, "Consider yourself warned!"
