Modern and Classical Languages

CHSS Distinguished Alumni

Ryan C. Duncan

BA Foreign Languages '95

Ryan Duncan received a BA in foreign languages from Mason in 1995 and also studied at the University of Salamanca in Spain, through the Institute for the International Education of Students Abroad. He began working in professional theater and film in the Washington, D.C., area during his time at Mason and later moved to New York City, where he has performed on Broadway in Shrek and Gettin' the Band Back Together (for which he wrote additional material). Duncan has also performed in many Off-Broadway productions and originated the role of "Juan" in the now international hit, Altar Boyz, for which he earned a Drama League Nomination for Distinguished Performance. He has toured nationally and performed in both film and television, appearing in Blue Bloods, He's with Me, In Stereo, Shrek the Musical and many more.  
 
Duncan works for Only Make Believe, a non-profit that provides theatrical experiences to kids in hospitals (for which he's translated shows into Spanish), as well as Mursion, one of the fastest growing American companies, which fosters social skills, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and empathy through online virtual reality. He is in development with Broadway-aimed shows: Distant Thunder, a contemporary Native American musical by Shaun Taylor-Corbett, and Passing Through by Eric Ulloa and Brett Ryback, based on the book, Walking to Listen by Andrew Forsthoefel.