Ryan Conarro | Resume

RYAN CONARRO
Interdisciplinary Artist • Creative Producer • Facilitator
Denver, Colorado
ryanconarro.com | ryanconarro@gmail.com

PROFILE

Ryan Conarro is an interdisciplinary artist, creative producer, and facilitator whose work explores queer identity, belonging, and justice through performance, installation, documentary storytelling, and socially engaged art practices. Drawing from personal narrative, community collaboration, and documentary research, he creates participatory experiences that examine how people navigate systems of power, build connection across difference, and imagine more equitable futures.

SELECTED ARTISTIC PROJECTS

BAD HUSBAND // BAD HOMO
Creator & Performer | Dixon Place, co-presented by Ping Chong + Company | 2020
Solo documentary performance exploring queer identity, marriage, masculinity, and belonging.

Saints of Failure
Creator & Performer | Brooklyn, NY and touring | 2018–2021
Solo performance examining faith, shame, resilience, and queer experience.

this hour forward
Creator & Performer | New York City and national tour | 2013–2015
Participatory performance exploring same-sex marriage, love, and LGBTQ+ citizenship in America.

ALAXSXA | ALASKA
Co-Creator, Co-Director & Lead Performer | Ping Chong + Company | 2017–2018
Interdisciplinary performance exploring historical and contemporary cross-cultural encounters in Alaska.

Juarez: A Documentary Mythology
Ensemble Creator & Performer | Theater Mitu | International Tour | 2014–2015
Documentary theater work exploring violence, memory, and life along the U.S.–Mexico border.

Eight Stars of Gold
Co-Playwright, Director & Lead Interviewer | Perseverance Theatre | 2008–2009
Site-specific documentary performance examining Alaskan identity and statehood.

SELECTED SOCIAL PRACTICE & COMMUNITY-BASED PROJECTS

When the Salmon Spoke
Creative Director, Producer, Video & Sound Designer | 2020
Community-based documentary storytelling project created with Alaska Native and First Nations collaborators from the Stikine River watershed.

Juneau Voices Audio Walk
Artist-Facilitator & Sound Designer | 2020
Permanent public art installation featuring community stories and local music integrated into downtown Juneau's interpretive signage system.

Aan Yátx'u Sáani: Noble People of the Land
Co-Writer & Co-Director | 2018
Interview-based performance created with Tlingit and Haida community members examining Indigenous history and cultural memory in Alaska's capital city.

CORNERSTONE STORIES
Creator & Lead Artist | Brooklyn, NY | 2020
Site-specific community storytelling and immersive performance project developed with residents of Atlantic Terminal Houses.

Future Historical Society
Founding Creative Community Producer | Brooklyn, NY | 2018–2020
Community storytelling initiative and sound installation series exploring neighborhood history, memory, and place.

LEADERSHIP & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Co-Director, Colorado Radio for Justice / General Manager & Program Director, Inside Wire: Colorado Prison Radio | 2021–Present
Led the launch and operation of the first statewide prison radio station in the United States. Currently co-leads the media organization, by and for people impacted by the criminal-legal system, producing podcasts, training community storytellers, and supporting narrative change initiatives.

Media Arts Partner Artist, Youth on Record | 2023–Present
Produces youth-led media projects and facilitates podcast and storytelling programs for emerging creators.

Artistic Collaborator in Residence & Community Projects Associate, Ping Chong + Company | 2014–2020
Developed documentary theater, socially engaged art projects, community partnerships, and artist training initiatives.

SELECTED THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE CREDITS

Sweet & Lucky: Echo
Third Rail Projects & Denver Center for the Performing Arts | 2025

A Dream Play
Theater Mitu | Abu Dhabi | 2012

Death of a Salesman
Theater Mitu | U.S. Tour | 2009

The Laramie Project
Perseverance Theatre | 2006

Hamlet
Perseverance Theatre | 2006

SELECTED RESIDENCIES

Local Lab Artist Residency, Local Theater Company (Denver), 2021

Performance Project Artist Residency, University Settlement (NYC), 2020

Cook Inlet Housing Authority Community Engagement Residency, Ping Chong + Company, 2018

National Performance Network Development Residency, Bunnell Street Arts Center, 2017

Orchard Project Residency, Ping Chong + Company, 2015

Stonington Opera House Artist Residency, 2014

SELECTED AWARDS & FELLOWSHIPS

MAP Fund Award, 2020

NEFA National Theater Project Award, 2017

NEA ArtWorks Grant, 2019

Brooklyn Arts Council Arts Fund Grant, 2019

Alaska Humanities Scholar, 2018–2020

Leadership U One-on-One Fellowship, Theatre Communications Group / Mellon Foundation, 2015

Rasmuson Foundation Individual Artist Award, 2011

Connie Boochever Artist Fellowship, 2004

SELECTED TEACHING APPOINTMENTS

Visiting Teaching Assistant Professor of Theatre, University of Denver (2020-21)

Adjunct Faculty, NYU Tisch School of the Arts

Adjunct Faculty, NYU Steinhardt School of Education

Adjunct Faculty, The New School

EDUCATION

MFA, Interdisciplinary Arts
Goddard College

BFA, Theatre & English
New York University, Tisch School of the Arts

PRACTICE AREAS

Queer Performance & Storytelling
Socially Engaged Art
Documentary Performance
Participatory Installation
Community-Based Collaboration
Audio Storytelling & Public Media
Arts & Justice Initiatives