Ryan Cunningham

In 2017 Ryan founded a management-production-touring company called Cunning Concepts & Creations. CC&C is currently touring the multiple Award-winning production, HUFF written and performed by Cliff Cardinal. Originally produced by Native Earth Performing Arts under the Artistic Direction of Ryan Cunningham (2014-2017). Before establishing CC&C Ryan had the honour of serving as Artistic Director, administrator and actor at Native Earth Performing Arts between 2003-2017. In 2009 he co-founded Alberta Aboriginal Performing Arts in Edmonton and served as it’s founding Artistic Director for 5 years. AAPA produces The RUBABOO International Indigenous Arts Festival: both celebrating their 10-year Anniversary this Spring (2019). After many years, Ryan recently stepped down from the Board of the CanDance Network and IPAA (Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance). Ryan was a founding member and producer of The Agokwe Collective which extensively toured the multiple Dora award-winning production, AGOKWE by Waawaate Fobister (Originally produced by Buddies and Bad Times Theatre). As an actor, Ryan has performed across the Country working in TV, Theatre & Film for over two decades. He can be seen playing the role of Darcy Douglas in all 5 seasons of the award-winning APTN television series, BLACKSTONE. Selected Theatre credits: Oh, what a lovely War, Grand Hotel, AN OCTOROON, The Madness of King George III (The Shaw Festival). King Lear, Ecstasy of Rita Joe (National Arts Centre). Yukonstyle (Canadian Stage). Julius Caesar-Death of a King, Dreary & Izzy, Annie Mae’s Movement (Native Earth Performing Arts). Urinetown: The Musical, Vimy (Firehall Arts Centre). Ryan has been nominated for the KLM Hunter Artist Award and the inaugural Johanna Metcalf Performing Arts Prize.