New Artistic Director at SJCT

Bobby Ryan is the new Artistic Director at SJCT – Contributed photo

Actor, director and playwright Bobby Ryan has joined San Juan Community Theatre as Artistic Director.

Ryan began his work at the Theatre on May 4 while outgoing Artistic Director Susan Williams finished up her final week (Williams announced her resignation earlier this year, saying she wants to focus her energies more on her family, painting, sculpting, acting and directing).

Ryan holds a masters degree in Contemporary Performance and most recently has been spending his time between Portland and San Juan Island. He and his husband, Tyler, own and operate Portland’s Lights Up! Productions, where Bobby has written, directed and produced original works for the stage. Both Bobby and Tyler have been involved in Island Stage Left productions in the past two years, including Bobby’s roles in Other Desert Cities, RED and last summer’s Twelfth Night.

“We’re so excited to have such a young, vibrant professional join our SJCT Theatre family and help lead us into the future,” said SJCT Board President Susan Mazzarella.

Ryan says he too is thrilled to join such a successful community theatre and to live full-time on San Juan Island where Tyler grew up. “I’m stepping into an organization that is working extremely well and I couldn’t be more excited to help it continue to thrive,” said Ryan. “I feel very welcomed here—both at the theatre and in the community.”

SJCT is planning a “meet and greet” with Bobby in the next few weeks so islanders can get to know him better.

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