“You’re beautiful. You’re like the Venus de Milo except with the arms.” Sparkling emerald green eyes, sandy blonde hair, and enough charm to knock any girl’s socks off, Kyle Ryan is a leading man not only in his plays but in all his endeavors.

Ryan first fell in love with drama in the 7th grade while performing monologues in the Rosemont cafeteria. At first, drama was just something to fill up his free period but it would soon become a big part of his high school career.

When he entered high school, Ryan decided to once again fill his free period with drama. Later on that year, Ryan tried out for the spring musical, Fiddler on the Roof for fun and earned a minor part in the play, a feat in itself as freshmen rarely get parts.

“Everyone in drama was so helpful and optimistic, which gave me a totally new perspective” said Ryan.

By 10th grade, Ryan’s passion for drama grew. It wasn’t just a free period to goof around anymore. He avidly watched the upperclassmen reciting lines so he could soak up every last bit of what drama was and what it had to offer.

“Matt Goldsworthy and I were in the same class and we would call each other every night to go over what we learned in class and try to improve on every little thing”

Similar to a professional actor, Ryan tries to incorporate an outside character, whether it’s an actor or somebody he knows, into every character he plays. For example, in the upcoming play “Get Smart,” Ryan adopted the Batman nemesis, The Penguin, for his signature waddle to help him play Mr. Big.

Ryan also looks to CV drama graduates for inspiration.

“They are extremely talented and have taught me so much about drama and myself” said Ryan.

Finally in 11th grade, Ryan landed the leading role in the spring musical, Crazy for You. That’s when the girls started getting crazy for Kyle as well.

“Girls were just obsessed with him, so much that they even made fan clubs online just for Kyle” explained Matt Goldsworthy, Kyle’s “unofficial brother.”

“Its funny because Kyle’s actually really shy around girls and rarely approaches them”

Through drama and his participation in the school musicals, Ryan made many new friends that he still keeps in touch with, “It’s cool to bond with so many different groups of people who all have one thing in common - drama”

Though Kyle highly values his friends, for Ryan, family comes first. He considers them one of his biggest inspirations. The close relationship between him and his parents and sisters are what keep him motivated. Thanks to his family, Ryan’s love for the beach developed early. He’s extremely proud to have parents who were hippies and at one time lived in Teepee and a chicken shack.

“My dad used to surf a lot and I would follow him and he would teach me how to surf.”

Ryan got into competitive surfing 6th through 8th grade and in 8th grade, he won fifth place in all of Southern California. Ryan even had a surfboard sponsor for a while. But competitive surfing wasn’t as enjoyable for him because he feels “surfing is a personal thing between you and the wave.” While surfing, Ryan doesn’t have an audience to amuse or please, it’s just him and the ocean. Ryan also considers surfing an outlet from his sometimes busy and stressful schedule.

This year, Ryan sacrificed his love for surfing to further pursue his career in drama.

“Drama is definitely more thrilling and I need to stick to my goals for college,” said Ryan.

And that very goal is to major in drama in college.

“Kyle is that really hardworking guy that works the hardest out of everyone and it shows” said Goldsworthy.

Kyle manages to successfully juggle school, performing, and his friends -all with a bit of flair. Aside from his two main passions, Ryan is just a regular guy that likes to hang out with friends and play the harmonica, as some may have seen at the recent Journeys Night. He is also a frequent thrift shopper which explains his unique and quirky style as well as his crazy collection of plastic shades.

“He’s the type of guy who could wear a paper bag and look good” Goldsworthy said jokingly.

What sets Ryan apart from most students is his drive to challenge himself. Ryan always pushes himself to excel in his passions. His great success in the performing arts is a reflection of his diligent spirit.

Kyle Ryan is a well known face and name as a senior at CV. But, taking into consideration his hard-earned talent and charisma, it’s only a matter of time before you see his name in brighter lights.