Shapiro
After experiencing problems with his liver, Ryan Shapiro decides to pursue acting full time
By Jessica Oates
An illness gave Ryan Shapiro a life-altering jolt of perspective.
Shapiro fell in love with theater during his junior year at Robbinsville High School, and, after graduating in 2012, had gone off to study acting at the University of Rhode Island. But, a few months into his freshman year, he began having problems with his liver, and had to take a leave of absence.
“After I recovered, I realized that this is an industry where, even if you have a great conservatory education, experience is the most important thing,” Shapiro said. “I didn’t want to lose anymore time. I decided not to go back to school, and to try to get as many roles as I could. I think I made the right decision.”
Since then, Shapiro’s acting career has gotten off to a promising start. In the past four months, Shapiro, who studies at the Actors Playground School of Theatre in Freehold, was a featured performer in William Mastrosimone’s production Bang Bang, You’re Dead as part of the 2013 New York City Fringe Festival, signed an agent and recently landed a role on a television show.
The Fringe Festival play—which ran Aug. 11-16—addressed issues of violence and bullying in schools, and was directed by Ralph Colombino and Dan Cooley. Shapiro played three different roles in the production.
He said he will continue to perform the piece at schools, community centers and local theaters along
with other performers in the Actors Playground, to raise awareness of these issues throughout 2013 and 2014.
“We got a great review from the New York Theater, and we were lucky enough to have the playwright come to our show. He gave us some very positive feedback,” Shapiro said.
Following the successful production, Shapiro was offered management from Bercy Talent Management, and has been auditioning regularly for roles.
“My goal for this year was to get representation, which I accomplished, so my new goal is to get signed,” Shapiro said.
Shapiro said he is particularly interested in TV, and is currently working on a role for a show called Frenemies, set to air this April on Discovery ID. His character, Chris, is a 17-year-old high school student. One of the popular kids in his high school, Chris is egotistical and charismatic, yet ignorant.
“Chris has a drug problem and is very self centered,” Shapiro said. “When someone gets something he wants, he will crack.”
Shapiro said television roles feel more natural to him, and the situations on TV are more realistic.
“I can really connect with the character and the pieces more,” Shapiro said. “There is also more creative freedom because you can do retakes. If you do anything too risky or spontaneous on stage, you can get thrown off, but on TV sets you can always do another take.”
Shapiro said he enjoys the challenge of trying to portray unstable characters.
“It’s interesting, because if you do it right, you can learn so much. You feel close to them without actually being unstable yourself,” he said. “You can really get into the mind of the character.”
As part of the Actor’s Playground, Shapiro is surrounded by other working actors and actresses, including his friend and colleague, Jimmie King. King, who has been acting since he was 16, participated in the New York Fringe Festival with Shapiro and recommended that he join the Actor’s Playground.
“Ryan did a lot of very subtle things with all three of the characters that he played in Bang Bang, You’re Dead. He was natural and believable. It’s the small things you do, not usually the big dramatics, that make you a good actor,” said King.
King said he advised Shapiro to join the class because he saw that he was talented and knew he would benefit from being around other actors who are going through the same things he is in pursuit of successful career.
“In the short time that he has been part of the class, you can tell that he is even more motivated and hungry for success,” King said. “He has been working out and taking care of himself, which is important for an actor.”
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