BACKGROUND

About Ryan

Ryan Backstrom seated in a theatre, wearing a white shirt.

I’m an actor, singer, and a Health and Human Sciences student at USC Dornsife. I graduated from California School of the Arts–San Gabriel Valley in 2026, where I studied in the Musical Theatre Conservatory.

At CSArts, I performed as Bat Boy in Bat Boy: The Musical, Nigel Bottom in Something Rotten!, and El Gallo in The Fantasticks. My Theatre360 credits include Aaron Samuels in Mean Girls, Georg in Spring Awakening, and the Escapologist in Matilda. I received the 2026 JRay Award for Supporting Actor in a Male Role for Nigel Bottom, along with an Outstanding Vocalist nomination.

My training includes private voice with Jared Gertner since 2022 and theatre and ballet at Theatre360 from 2021 to 2024. At CSArts, I studied acting, audition technique, voice, musical theatre repertoire, tap, dance, choreography, and stage combat.

I co-founded and served as president of the CSArts March for Our Lives chapter, working with peers to organize campus events and protests. As a Fusion performance ambassador, I supported school events and led tours for prospective students. I also performed as a featured vocalist at the CSArts Gala 2026. Currently, I am on the USC Men's Rugby Team.

© Ryan Backstrom

ACTOR · SINGER · MUSICAL THEATRE