RYAN TAERK
Ryan Taerk is a Canadian film and television actor best known for his roles in the feature film, Wish Upon, and television series Frankie Drake Mysteries, Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy and CBC Gem’s The Communist’s Daughter.
Not only has Ryan found success as an actor, but also as a published songwriter. He closely works with his brothers and writing partners Josh and Matt Taerk to create new music. The team reached a milestone in early 2019 as their co-written song, Beautiful Tragedy for Josh Taerk’s solo music project broke the Billboard Top 40 Pop Indicator Chart at #38.
“After receiving the calls from my agent that I had booked these roles, I would first tell my family and then text Eric and Amanda at TAC! “
When did you first realize that you wanted to be an actor?
I feel like I’ve always wanted to be an actor.
Since I was a young kid I’ve loved entertaining people and creating art for others to enjoy. It was through the magic of plays and movies that I had the thought, “Hmmmm, I want to do that for a living!”
How did you get started?
When I was in elementary school I was bullied because I was shorter and overweight. At that time I didn’t like being myself, so pretending to be someone else was a saving grace for me.
That quickly lead into realizing that I could make people laugh, and as soon as I learned that I had that skill, I was hell-bent on making the world laugh and be happy.
After school, I would direct my siblings in plays and skits that I had written for the enjoyment of my parents and their friends. That was when I knew I had caught the “acting/entertaining bug”.
When did you start studying at The Acting Center?
I started studying at The Acting Center in May of 2019. My good friend Georgina Reilly kept telling me about this incredible acting school where she had found a community of actors and friends who were so kind, giving and willing to learn as they grew.
At the time I needed a reboot in my training, as I had spent years going to so many on-camera “critique” classes that I had taken on many insecurities.
Tell us about your recent success in booking guest stars and the lead in a web series.
Honestly, the last couple of months have been a whirlwind of excitement; I am very grateful for the jobs that I have booked. I literally took all of the information that I received in the Audition Intensive and private Skype coaching from The Acting Center and used those drills and tools to get me to focus on “being” the character and creating a compelling person to be.
After receiving the calls from my agent that I had booked these roles, I would first tell my family and then text Eric and Amanda at TAC!
Also I heard you signed with a new L.A. manager. Tell us about that.
I did! I had been wanting to sign with an L.A. manager for a long time.
After I wrapped Season One of the web series, I set up meetings with managers that were interested in meeting me. I met a lot of wonderful people, and at the end of the trip– it was literally my last meeting– I met the person that is my manager today. He’s amazing and I am so grateful to have him as a business partner.
What is your favorite part about what you do?
To be able to showcase a different perspective or illuminate an aspect of society that we are either proud of or unaware of is such a gift.
I truly believe that in art we have an incredible opportunity to showcase the beauty and horror of society. As actors, we have the task of taking a story and information and creating a compelling person to be the vessel for those stories and lessons, so that they can received by society.
How has the Acting Center helped you prepare for your career?
I feel like I have become a smarter actor from studying at the Acting Center.
I truly feel that the community of actors and resources that I can reach out to from this place has given me back confidence in my ability to not only create a character, but to be a contributing collaborator within an audition room, a writing room, and on set.
What is your favorite thing about The Acting Center?
I would have to say how the community of actors are so excited to see each other at the beginning of class. That energy is palpable and creates this camaraderie in class that I love being a part of.
What at The Acting Center has helped you most?
The Audition Intensive completely changed my view of the audition experience. I have tools now that I would NEVER have done before, and they are very helpful, especially in a pinch.
Anything else you want to say that you think might be helpful?
Continue being brave and a force to be reckoned with!
If you love what you are doing, and you are committed to becoming a better actor and collaborator, then the success of booking will come.
As actors, our main job is to focus on being the character, and working with others to shape the characters viewpoint.
