Biography

Ryan Hope Travis is a director, filmmaker, theatre-maker, writer and actor, and an Assistant Professor in Theatre + Performance at the School of Theatre + Dance.

RHT has directed over 47 professional and academic productions, including 15 devised plays. His work as a multi-hyphenate filmmaker (i.e., writer/director/cinematographer) has received Best Narrative Feature, Debut Film Award, the Bronze Award for Best Micro Movie, and a Grand Jury Prize, among other awards and recognition, with world premieres at film festivals throughout the US and UK. His debut feature film, Cocoa in the Dark, recently received distribution from Porter+Craig in Beverly Hills.

RHT guest-starred in HBO’s 11-time Emmy Award-winning series Watchmen, AppleTV+ series Manhunt, and numerous other theatre, film, and commercial projects. He brings these experiences to the classroom, having taught theatre and film courses at Colgate University, Syracuse University, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, and Florida State University.

He is the Founder and Lead Maker of Arcable, a film and theatre production company dedicated to producing works of art rooted in social commentary.

Research Areas

1. Theatre as a site for social activism and community organizing
2. African and African American Diasporic Theatre and Performance
3. Performance as Research

Select Creative Works

1. Cocoa in the Dark – Arcable Film+Theatre. Director, Writer, and Cinematographer. 
2. Watchmen – HBO. Role of Jerry (11-time Emmy Award-Winning Series)
3. Manhunt – AppleTV+. Role of Civil War Hero
4. Scarlet Winter – AppleTV+. Role of Richie
5. New Berry – Hippodrome Theatre/Arcable Film+Theatre. Director, Deviser, and Co-Writer.
6. Fast Blood – World Premiere Drama by Emmy Award-winner Judy Tate. Role of Lazarus. (Best Actor in a Play Nomination by Broadway World CNY)
7. Lady He Free – Playwright. (Finalist for Miami University's 2020-2021 season)
8. if the world could hear my voice – Co-Director, Cinematographer, and Editor. (Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture)
9. Normies + wIErdOs – Director, Cinematographer, and Editor. (Won Bronze and outstanding achievement in acting awards)
10. Pupae – Arcable Film+Theatre. Director, Writer, Cinematographer, and Editor. (Official selection for three competitive film festivals, including the Academy Award-qualifying Atlanta Film Festival)
11. A Shout in Salty Water – Commissioned One-Man Play. Roles of Self and Fathers.
12. Taught Poetry/Performance Masterclass – Stargate Theatre/Manhattan Theatre Club

Awards and Affiliations

1. Best Narrative Feature, Denton Black Film Festival
2. Debut Film Award, Detroit Black Film Festival
3. Bronze Award, Los Angeles Motion Picture Festival
4. Grand Jury Prize, United Kingdom Motion Picture Festival
5. Commission, New York State Council on the Arts
6. Community Service Award, African American Studies Department, Syracuse University
7. National Association for Speech and Dramatic Arts Award
8. The Gifford Foundation Grant
9. Advancing Racial Justice Grant, Offices of the President and Chief Diversity Officer, University of Florida
10. Beyond Colgate Grant, Office of the Dean of Faculty, Colgate University
11. Three-time College of Fine Arts Faculty Travel Grant, Florida State University
12. College of the Arts Work-In-Process Award, University of Florida
13. Two-time College of the Arts Research Award, University of Florida
14. Member, SAG-AFTRA
15. Member, AEA

Education

• Ph.D. Theatre and Performance Research, Florida State University (currently enrolled)
• M.F.A. Theatre, University of Florida
• M.A. Pan African Studies, Syracuse University
• B.A. African World Studies, Fort Valley State University