We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ryder Tam. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ryder below.

Ryder, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I have a bit of a unique perspective in that I worked a “normal job” as an engineer for years before pursuing comedy. I was a guidance, navigation and control engineer working as a contractor for the US Space Force. I specialized in orbit analytics, and I launched three satellites that are still in orbit during my time in the aerospace industry.

During that time, I did improv and sketch on the side, producing my own shows with my comedy partner Gabe Valdez under our duo TVunscripted. I would fly out to Chicago and LA regularly to take classes, but it was extremely challenging to keep up with a career job and comedy. Eventually I quit engineering to focus on comedy full time.

There are definitely advantages to a regular job. I do miss the stability; financial security is an obvious plus, but having a set structure to your day has its benefits as well.

All that said, I am much happier pursuing comedy. It took me years to realize it, but I think I was always a creative person at heart, who happened to be good at math. Being in the industry I’m passionate about is much more fulfilling for me, and I don’t regret changing my career at all.

Ryder, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m an actor, writer, improviser, producer & comedian. I’m currently a cast member of Sunday Company at The Groundlings, and I perform at Outside In Theater with my improvised Film Noir. I regularly perform and teach at comedy festivals, including Improv Utopia, Austin Sketch Festival, and Ireland Improv Festival, to name a few.

I perform frequently with my comedy duo TVunscripted. Co-founder Gabe Valdez and I both have science backgrounds (him as a Geologist, and myself as an aerospace engineer), and we’ve created various shows that reflect that. Some of my favorites are Science Night Live (real scientists do comedy) and Dungeons & Dragons Unscripted. We’re available to book for events, coaching, and teaching workshops; get in touch! Outside of that, I’ve acted in some indie films, various commercials, and written some shows that are ongoing projects.

If you’re interested in seeing my work, check out my website or social media:
www.RyderTam.com
www.TVunscripted.com
Instagram: @ryder.tam
Instagram: @TVunscripted
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/tvunscripted

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

The best resource I think we have as creatives is our community. As an improviser, I would encourage everyone to check out Improv Utopia, a community-focused improv organization that does essentially weekend summer camps for adults. I’ve met some of my best friends, mentors, and people who inspire me creatively at Improv Utopia and other community jams and groups. It can be tough to be involved in the creative industry, and your best support network is other people who are working towards your same goals.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Seeing the work that you do actually make an impact is so rewarding. There are a number of performers that inspired me to get into improv, which lead me into sketch, acting and writing. To name a few, Nick Armstrong (Rise Comedy), Jaime Moyer (Second City), Brian Palermo (Groundlings), Matt Pitner (Outside In Theater), MJ Marsh (The Bearded Company), and Madi Goff (Groundlings). I’ve been fortunate to reach a point where I’ve had others tell me that I inspired them to try new things in comedy, or even to try comedy in the first place. I love seeing our art form grow, and it’s a great reminder that we’re made up of a community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rydertam.com
• Instagram: @ryder.tam
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/tvunscriptedimprov
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/TVunscripted
• Other: Additional website:
  www.TVunscripted.com

  Additional Instagram:
  @TVunscripted

Image Credits

n/a