BWW Interviews: Ryan Bowie, A Life in the Theater

Ryan Bowie, now firmly ensconced in his new professional life in Clarksville, Tennessee, made his way southward from New York City to do one show and, thanks to fate, ended up deciding he'd found his way home. Now onstage in the Roxy Regional Theatre's production of The Civil War, the Frank Wildhorn musical that continues through May 21, he won acclaim (both critical and otherwise) at The Baker in the Roxy's 2010 revival of Into The Woods (ranked among the year's best performances by First Night and BroadwayWorld.com readers).

Since moving to Clarksville and becoming more involved at the Roxy, he now works on the company's marketing and devlopment efforts, spearheading drives that will ensure the theatre company's place in the Tennessee artistic community for years to come.

Recently, amid preparations for new shows and events in Clarksville, Ryan took the time to answer our questions and to afford our readers a glimpse into his “Life in the Theater.” Read, enjoy and get to know Ryan Bowie a little bit better...

What was your first taste of theater?

It’s hard to look back to my first taste of theater, it is as if I was born already having the taste of theater. But if I must specifically think of a time, it would be a Christmas pageant. My grandmother, now in her 30th year of teaching, was in charge of the pageant this specific year. As much as I am a mama’s boy I am just as much a grandma’s boy. I was not in school myself at the time, but I was always coming to her class to hang out. I landed a role in the pageant as a sheep and I couldn’t have been happier. A better question may be, when did I make the decision I wanted to do this for the rest of my life? That came out of my sister’s dance studio. I was always at her rehearsals and sign-ups went up for an acting class and they were going to produce The Wizard of Oz. As a young nine-year-old I took the stage as the Scarecrow and I never looked back.

What was your first real job or responsibility in the theater?

I feel like every job in the theater no matter what your age or how big or small the job be is a real job. We are all working together for a common goal. But my first major professional credit came after my freshman year of college with the Seagle Music Colony in upstate New York. I am so appreciative of this company and all they taught me early on in my training. I left there with the idea that we are all in this together. Not only were we working as professional actors and singers and dancers but we were also working together on the sets and costumes alongside our designers. It gave us all a sense of unity and a greater respect for the art.

When did you know you wanted to pursue a career in theater?

Throughout my college career, there were many people trying to dissuade me, to choose a career in something more about education, or at least do that as well to be able to have “something to fall back on.” But, after my professional career began in the summers of my collegiate years, I knew in the depths of my heart this was what I wanted to do. I have been very fortunate to have worked consistently for the last eight years, throughout college and after. Is it hard, yes. But it is my passion and I will do everything to make sure my dreams are fulfilled. My dad, in every card he writes always says, “shoot for the moon and even if you miss you will land among the stars.” That is enough drive for me.

Why do you pursue your art in Tennessee? What are the best parts of working here?

I started my career in Tennessee in May of 2010 in a production of Forever Plaid with the Roxy Regional Theatre in Clarksville. I was scheduled to leave Tennessee and choreograph a production of Carousel in New York after my contract. But, thankfully, (now, not at the time) we had an actor leave the cast of Forever Plaid three days prior to opening, leaving the role of The Baker open in Into the Woods. I canceled my Carousel contract and decided to stay for Into the Woods. While in New York City, my homebase for three years, I would work in the marketing and fundraising department of the Roundabout Theatre Company in between contracts. This side of the theater is something I am very passionate about as well. I began to talk with John [McDonald] and Tom [Thayer], the artistic and executive directors of the Roxy and they contracted me for a year acting at the theater. In November, I began to be more and more involved with the fundraising and development side of the theater while still acting and I, along with my partner Travis, bought a house in historic Downtown Clarksville and moved our life from New York to Tennessee.

If you could play any role, direct any work, design any production, mount any production...what would it be and why?

This is a question that always comes up in a talk-back after a performance. And I must say, I have been very fortunate to have played many of my dream roles. But there are still those I am longing to play or play again. What I find so interesting is that as you mature as an artist you think back to how you make past performances so much better based on what you have learned. I would love to play Leo Bloom in The Producers, I would love to play Marius in Les Miserables, I would love to play J. Peirpont Finch again, I would love to play Billy Crocker again, I would love to play Bobby Child again. The list goes on an on. But it all comes in baby steps, you just have to open yourself to them. I am slowly getting more and more involved in directing and choreographing. I did so for a while and then focused solely on acting. Ain’t Misbehavin’ at the Roxy in February and March was definitely on my list shows to direct and I was so proud of that production. I would love to direct many things as it allows me to focus on a different part of my artistic brain.

Who would play you in the film version of your life story?

I think it would have to someone like Topher Grace or Zac Efron or Andrew Garfield.

What's your favorite play/musical?

There are too many to answer this question. I love Sarah Ruhl’s Eurydice, Richard Greenberg’s The Violet Hour, Brandon Thomas’ Charlie’s Aunt. I love anything by Sondheim, Jersey Boys, Xanadu, The Wedding Singer, All Shook Up, the list goes on an on.

If you could have dinner with any three figures (living or dead, real or fictional) who are a part of the theater, who would you choose and why?

Ethel Merman, Donald O’Connor and Jimmy Stewart. But then they would have to invite three people of their own. I like big parties. But Ethel for so many reasons, she had an amazing career, she worked with everyone, her voice is truly a musical theater icon and because of her professional and personal relationship with Cole Porter. Donald O’Connor, for being the song and dance man he is. Jimmy Stewart, for performing in such amazing movies, for knowing the workings of Alfred Hitchcock and for the amazing career he had.

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