50 States of Mind Writer/Host | Ryan Bernsten

Ryan Bernsten is a writer and performer. His work has been performed onstage internationally––from the Huffington Post and TimeOutNY-recommended DREAM TICKET in New York to the critically-acclaimed ATLANTIC in Edinburgh produced in association with Northwestern University and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He has been published in USA Today, the Routine, and the Rockford Writer's Anthology. Other works include his one-man show CAMPAIGN/NO GAIN (Brentwood College); VOTE! THE MUSICAL (Stage 773); THE NEW ORDER (The Corkscrew Theatre Festival), and BAD PRESS (Cherry Lane Theatre). He is the creator of the touring UK show “Chris Cooke for Congress” which is the recipient of the King’s Hall Grant. Ryan is currently writing a book, “50 States of Mind” about his road trip through all 50 states to talk with mayors, governors, and regular folk. He is pursuing his Master’s in Creative Writing at the University of Oxford.

Ryan Bernsten is a writer whose work has been published and performed off-Broadway and internationally. While traveling to all 50 states, he fell in love with his native Midwest all over again and moved from the coast back to the center of the country. Ryan received his master's degree from the University of Oxford, where he graduated with honors and received a distinction for his narrative non-fiction account of his American travels, 50 States of Mind. Onstage, ATLANTIC––a collaboration with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and his alma mater Northwestern University––won critical acclaim at Edinburgh Fringe and DREAM TICKET (Players Theatre, off-Broadway) won the NY Fringe Excellence Award and was recommended by The Huffington Post and TimeOut. Other credits include BAD PRESS (Cherry Lane Theatre); THE NEW ORDER (Corkscrew Theatre Festival, Oxford University Dramatic Society Best Play for Voices); and his one-man show CAMPAIGN/NO GAIN, performed internationally. Ryan has been published in USA Today, The Oxford Political Review, and the Oxymoron, and worked with CONAN and The Onion. The companion podcast 50 States of Mind won the King’s Hall Grant and can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.