| Ry Armstrong | |
| Birth Place: | Seattle, Washington |
| Occupation: | Actor, Activist |
| Movement: | Extinction Rebellion Advocate |
| Website: | https://www.ryarmstrong.co/ |
Ry Armstrong is an American actor, musician, producer, and entrepreneur.[1] [2] [3] They are known for appearances in the films Uncut Gems and The Curious Incident of Everett Wilder, and the TV series The Plot Against America, and The Gilded Age, where they received co-star credit.[4] Armstrong ran as a candidate for District 3 of Seattle City Council, but finished seventh in the primary election.[5]
Armstrong, born Ryan Anderson, was born in Seattle, Washington and grew up in Kenmore. They began their musical journey at the age of six as a member of the Northwest Choirs.[6] They progressed to the performing choir, toured nationally, and performed with the Seattle Symphony. Armstrong received early education at Inglemoor High School, where they participated in the Rising Star Project at 5th Avenue Theatre during their high school years.[6] [1]
Armstrong continued their academic pursuits at Central Washington University, where they graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in musical theater in 2016.[6] While there, Armstrong served as President of the Associated Students of Central Washington University for one year. [7] Armstrong identifies as genderqueer. They were briefly based in New York City and have returned to Seattle, Washington.[8]
Armstrong contributed their vocals to The Shoe Bird album, which received a Grammy Award nomination.[9]
Following their undergraduate studies, Armstrong became a member of Actors Equity, a labor union representing actors and stage managers in the theater industry. They have toured the United States with TheatreWorks, performing in various regional productions in states such as Florida, Kansas, Michigan, and Vermont.
In 2017, Armstrong released Crossroads, an album featuring re-imagined Broadway show music.[10] Proceeds from the album were donated to three causes of Armstrong's choice: the 5th Avenue Theatre's Rising Stars Project, the Northwest Choirs, and the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
In 2019, Armstrong starred in Spirit of the Yule, an adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol produced by Denise Winter and Linda Dowdell and shown at The Key City Public Theater in Port Townsend, Washington.[11]
In 2021, Armstrong's company, RYCO Theatricals, led a campaign to claim the title for the Guinness World Record for the largest online video album of people singing the same song. The project aimed to gather 5,000 artists singing From Now On from The Greatest Showman, with permission from Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, and Disney.
In October 2022, Armstrong produced and starred in Neglect, a play shown at Teatro Latea as part of Fall/Winterfest presented Off-Off-Broadway with the New York Theater Festival. The play explored themes of survival, love, and finding joy in difficult circumstances and had three performances at the theater.
Armstrong is the founder of RYCO Theatricals, a production company founded in 2013, where they currently sit on the Board of Directors. They also serve as the CEO of Indie Chameleon Inc., a record label.[12] [13]
For the 2023 City Council Election, Armstrong ran as a candidate for District 3 of Seattle.[14] They aim to become the first openly nonbinary person on the Seattle City Council. Armstrong's platform included advocating for the use of compostable alternatives to plastics, implementing a tax on corporations for their carbon emissions, mandating that the city provide shelter for the houseless, and exploring the possibility of using a retired battleship for housing.