10 Questions with Ryan Hull

Don’t Dress for Dinner – 2016 – (left to right) Jason Hussa and Ryan Hull

Ryan has been involved with the Coaster Theatre Playhouse for many years and this fall tackles the role of Bernard this fall in our hilarious farce Don’t Dress for Dinner. 

A familiar face around the theatre, Ryan was involved with the Coaster Theatre in the 1990’s helping out with lights and sound plus appearing onstage in The Colleen Baun (1991 – brought to the theatre by Clackamas Community College) and Pump Boys and Dinettes (1996). He took an extended break from volunteering at the Coaster Theatre and headed off to college at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. While at Rollins he wrote 2 plays – Gyros, Gyros and Non-Stop which he also directed. He ventured to New York City where he studied acting at Circle in the Square Theatre School. While in New York he directed The Unseen Hand and was a founding member of Phenomenon Productions Theatre Company where he produced 3 shows.

Since returning to the Coaster Theatre in 2013, Ryan has appeared as Miles Gloriousus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night and Gaston in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. He has also directed several shows at the theatre including Around the World in 80 Days, Into the Woods, It Could Be Any One Of Us and Let’s Murder Marsha.

Off stage Ryan is co-owner and operator of Dreams & Discoveries and Yuletides Christmas Shop in Cannon Beach.

Twelfth Night – 2014 – (left to right) Ryan Hull, Jack Sheilds, Donald Conner

1. What is your present state of mind?
My present state of mind is coming down from chaos and anarchy. I feel like I’m beginning to take my sanity back from the depths of constent activity and I think I like it. I may realize that craziness is where I like to live, but for now focusing on family and business is where I want to be. My mind is also on my next Disney trip, always on my next Disney trip.

2. Who are your favorite playwrights?
I have many…in no particular order: Sam Shepard, David Mamet, John Patrick Shanley, Shakespeare, Clifford Odets, William Inge, Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, Moliere, Christopher Durang, John Paul Sartre, Anton Chekov, Stephen Sondheim, Edward Albee, Eugene O’Neil, Samuel Beckett, Tom Stoppard, and David Rabe.

3. Your favorite musician?
I’m glad the question asks my favorite musician because after the list and thought behind the playwrights I’m mentally spent. I would say for the biggest bang for my buck I am and always will be a Beatles man. They’re actually playing as I’m writing this.  Subliminal much Paul?

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum – 2013 – Ryan Hull (center) and cast

4. Who are your favorite characters?
Favorites I’ve always wanted to play Sweeney Todd, Teach from American Buffalo, or Eddie from Fool for Love. Favorites I’ve played Oscar Madison, Arthur A. Anderson, Gaston, and Juror #3…and of course Bernard. And for personal reflection Goofy, Chewbacca, and The Hulk, but not necessarily in that order.

5. Who are your heroes in real life?
Dorothy Sawyer, Nancy Axelson, and John Wetten. The first two were teachers that inspired me and gave me much more than what was required of them. The third was my elementary school principal.  The atmosphere that he created was always an open invitation to explore so that you could succeed or fail and learn from that experience.  He was truly a hero.  Also, anyone who stands up to bullies.

6. What natural gift would you most like to possess?
The ability to sleep regularly.

7. What is your most marked characteristic?
Most likely my sense of humor. I have ways of either, bringing laughter and fun into a conversation, or I fall flat on my face and offend people. I do love the journey.

Pump Boys and Dinettes – 1996

8. What do you most value in your friends?
Loyalty.

9. If you could be anyone throughout history, who would you have been?
Babe Ruth, Walt Disney, and Robin Williams walk into a bar…What was the question?

10. What is your motto?
If it’s not fun you’re doing it wrong.

Don’t Dress for Dinner, Twelfth Night and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum photos by George Vetter / Cannon-Beach.net