PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHY

Actor, photographer and filmmaker, Ryan Michael Jones' began his formative artist-in-training years upon his pursuit of an Associates Degree in Photographic Technology, followed by a BFA Degree in Performance Studies at the University of Central Florida Conservatory Theatre (Orlando). Highlights include an independent study incorporating Ansel Adams' Zone System of black and white photography and extensive Meisner acting training under the mentorship of Rutgers alumni, JJ Ruscella - founder of Orlando, Florida's premiere independent film company, Caius Productions.

Immediately following college, Ryan worked as an Assistant Editor to Pete Opotowski ("Super Boy", "Walker Texas Ranger" "Swamp Thing" "Sheena"), as a Casting Assistant on the Caius Productions independent film "Karaoke King", extensively acted in 35 mm film projects at Full Sail School of Film, and worked as a teaching assistant intern with the New York Film Academy (MGM Studios), during which Ryan produced and directed his first experimental short, "The Green Mourning", shot on 16 mm.

Since locating to Brooklyn, NY in 2006, Ryan's acting credits include various television, film and stage productions - his most memorable experience as a puppeteer in “Fatboy Romeo” at The Cherry Lane Studio - voted the Top 15 Plays to Watch at NYC Fringe by The Gothamist -  the role of Sydney in the NY Times acclaimed New York premiere of Keith Reddin’s “All the Rage”, the role of Jonahs in the award-winning short, Imago Wings, a music video with Emmy nominated Noah Conopask, a short scene with America Ferrera on "Ugly Betty, a recurring role on the NBC pilot Kings as one of the Shephard brothers (working with Becky Anne Baker), the role of Brodie in Top Stoppard's "The Real Thing" (directed by Tony Award winning Terry Schreiber) and a little sojourn in the Bahamas for two months playing a New World Pirate in Pirates of the Caribbean III.

As a filmmaker in New York, Ryan has shot and edited music video/promo spots for Thoughts.com, and served as the Director of Photography for several independently produced short narratives. Ryan is currently producing an "art-house" feature entitled "Oneiromancy" with his wife and producing partner, Shannon Beeby, and is forever roaming the streets of New York City absorbing art and contemplating new ideas in merging artistic disciplines and doing what he love's to do best - telling stories.

PERSONAL BIOGRAPHY

It has always been a difficult task for me to provide labels for who I am. Artist, check. Scientist, check. Soldier, check. Gardener, check. Nerd, check.

One thing is certain, however. I am a human being who is passionate about life. Without going too far into what I consider the "meaning of life", let me just say that my concept of living is fused with imagination, self-growth and the power of love.

Growing up in the swamplands of Merritt Island, Florida (nearby Kennedy Space Center), with my supportive parents, 2-year older sister, younger brother and 12-years younger sister, my childhood was largely characterized by a plethora of organized team sports (soccer, baseball and basketball).  I have always loved being a part of teams, working with many individuals in pursuit of a common purpose....to win. Although my thirst and concept of "winning" has since changed, I am nonetheless always excited about working in team environments. Looking back, I can see how this has guided me tremendously in the collaborative world of art, film and theatre.

Theatre was indeed not too far away from my conscience in my younger days, having been introduced to me in Junior high school via a beginning acting class (and encouragement from my Grandmother). It was then that I discovered my passion for storytelling. And thanks to a high school elective called Photography 101 a couple years later, I found my passion to tell stories with a camera.

All of this would be put on hold, however, for needing college money and a ticket out of town, I decided (at the age of eighteen) to serve as a U.S. Army paratrooper for three years. All the while taking college classes about theatre, philosophy, botany, chemistry and anything else the Army would pay for, I found my thirst for knowledge only growing stronger, and my passions only growing more diverse. Ready to get back out into the real world, I found myself torn over what I wanted to use my GI Bill for and map out the rest of my "professional" life.

At first, I opted to become a Pharmacognosist (one who studies the medicinal properties of herbs for finding cures for disease), but midway through the first semester, I had a quasi out-of-body experience (while in the laboratory of all places) and realized just how badly I needed to exercise my creative self. I changed my major to Theatre the very same day, auditioned to get into a conservatory acting program, and graduated with a BFA a few years later.

Of course, it will always be a dream of mine to help find cures for disease. But who is to say what form that will come in? Perhaps it will be through the writing of a play that inspires a real scientist to look for cures in new places? Or maybe it will be a documentary film about the mysterious properties of Pau d'Arco bark? Who knows!

My point being is that everything is connected - at least that's how I choose to see it.

I have since realized that all of my passions are and will always be connected. And it is the art of storytelling, my friends, that I wholeheartedly believe serves as the perfect vehicle for exercising these passions and learning more and more each day of how to best serve the greater good of mankind with the works of my life.

These days, I am very happily living in Brooklyn Heights, NY with my amazing wife of five years, and collaborative partner, Shannon Beeby. I am truly a lucky man. Enough said.