Draft:Ryan Bernsten

Ryan Bernsten (born April 2, 1992) is an American writer, playwright, and speaker. He is best known for his book "50 States of Mind: A Journey to Rediscover American Democracy," and for his critically acclaimed plays such as We Are Blood, Novel, and The New Order. The Pitch described his work as exploring "the painstakingly, polite nature of the Midwest and writes plays that end in cathartic bloodbaths—or where, at the very least, the unspoken is shouted, which, for this region, can feel like its own brand of violence." He currently oversees storytelling strategy at The Trevor Project.

Early life and education
Bernsten grew up in Madison, Wisconsin before moving to Rockford, Illinois, where he graduated from Boylan Catholic High School. He attended Northwestern University, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, co-chair of the Waa-Mu Show, and a performer with the Titanic Players. He graduated with a degree in theatre and later earned a master's degree from the University of Oxford, graduating with honors and receiving a distinction for his narrative nonfiction work.

Career
After his studies, Bernsten began his career in Los Angeles as an associate producer with the production company Magical Elves. He later worked on the Hillary Clinton 2016 presidential campaign. He currently works for The Trevor Project and lives in Kansas City. As a keynote speaker, he focuses on using storytelling to foster more effective conversations and leverage community involvement to make change. He has spoken at the World Affairs Council and the University of St Andrews.

Theatre
Bernsten's work in theatre includes:


 * WE ARE BLOOD: Produced by William Jewell College, Olathe Civic Theatre, Kansas City Public Theatre, and Angels Theatre Company, this play was a finalist in the ScreenCraft Stage Play Competition. It explores family secrets and the intersection of masculinity and queerness. "Though it begins with the typical passive-aggressive comments made about money and politics, the dark family secrets are forced to the forefront. Every character faces a personal horror: losing their fortune, secret affairs, feeling lost, and being possessed by their father's spirit. Bernsten's leading man brings a fresh take on queer characters."
 * THE NEW ORDER: Produced by William Jewell College, this play won the Best Play for Voices at the Oxford University Dramatic Society and was featured at the Kansas City Horror Play Festival and the Corkscrew Theatre Festival. It depicts a post-apocalyptic power struggle of survivors on farm that spirals into madness after the arrival of three other-worldly nuns.
 * NOVEL: Performed at Kansas City Public Theatre and Charlotte Street Foundation, this psychological thriller examines ambition and institutional hypocrisy. "What seems like an intense writer's retreat and an opportunity for career advancement, turns into a psychological house of mirrors in *Novel*. The leads—a neurotic gay man and a self-assured woman—compete for an acclaimed horror author's approval. Even though this novelist's teaching methods include lacing food with psychedelics and torturing his students close to death, his validation is still sought after."
 * Atlantic: A collaboration with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Northwestern University, this production won critical acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
 * Dream Ticket: Staged at Players Theatre off-Broadway, this play won the NY Fringe Excellence Award and received recommendations from The Huffington Post and Time Out New York.

Ryan has also appeared in Unicorn Theatre's production of The Inheritance (play).

"50 States of Mind: A Journey to Rediscover American Democracy"
Bernsten's book "50 States of Mind: A Journey to Rediscover American Democracy" is a narrative nonfiction account of his 23,000-mile journey across all 50 states to understand political and social divisions in the U.S. The book emphasizes the importance of local engagement and storytelling. The companion podcast "50 States of Mind," which won the King's Hall Grant, further explores these themes and is available on various platforms.

Community involvement and other work
Bernsten serves on the board of directors for American Public Square, an organization dedicated to fostering productive conversations about local and national issues. He has taught at the Johnson County Library 2023 Writers Conference. He writes restaurant reviews for The Infatuation and has been published in The Kansas City Star, USA Today, The Fulcrum, and The Oxford Political Review.

At The Trevor Project, Bernsten oversees storytelling strategy to end suicide among LGBTQ+ young people, where the creative team has won Webby and Gold Telly Awards for their work.

Bernsten made a notable appearance as a Slytherin contestant on "Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses," hosted by Helen Mirren on MAX.