For Sinclair College student Ryan Hester, theater has never been just a performance. It has been a source of strength, purpose and connection throughout every stage of his life.
Born and raised in Springfield, Ohio, Hester has spent nearly 24 years devoted to theater. From his college years and professional acting career to recovering from a serious car accident and spinal injury, the stage has remained a constant presence. Today, as a new father and a returning college student, he continues to find meaning in the art form that has shaped his life.
“The theater has been an anchor in my life, and something that I have always tried to give back to,” Hester said.
That passion led him to Gem City Groundlings, a Dayton-based Shakespeare-inspired nonprofit theater company dedicated to using theater as a tool for self-expression, personal growth and community engagement. In addition to performing in productions, Hester serves as a key board member within the organization as leadership roles continue to be restructured, helping strengthen partnerships with theaters and community organizations throughout the region.
His contributions extend beyond the stage. Gem City Groundlings hosts lecture series at Dayton Metro Libraries, is developing a community book club and regularly collaborates with local artists and organizations.
“We do a lot to get the community involved in what we’re doing,” Hester said. “It helps keep this network alive so that we can broaden our horizons, get more audience members and get more eyes on the art.”
Founded with the goal of making Shakespeare accessible to modern audiences, Gem City Groundlings combines classical storytelling with contemporary themes and creative interpretations. According to Hester, the company is arriving at a time when interest in Shakespeare is once again growing.
“Shakespeare goes through waves,” he said. “The interest will come back, and then we’ll fade a little bit. Luckily, I think we’re in a renaissance. Shakespeare is coming back into vogue.”
This summer, Hester will appear in two of the company’s productions, portraying Duke Frederick in “As You Like It” and Demetrius in “Titus Andronicus.” While Duke Frederick is driven by family relationships and personal motivations, Demetrius represents one of Shakespeare’s darkest and most villainous characters.
“I’ve found myself separating a little bit from the character of Demetrius because he’s so detestable and so evil,” Hester said. “I like the idea of chewing the scenery a bit as a villain. The worse the villain is, the better the hero is.”
The two productions explore similar themes through very different lenses. “Titus Andronicus” examines violence, power and the conflict between civilization and chaos, while “As You Like It” presents themes of freedom and identity through comedy. The latter has been reimagined with a modern setting inspired by the style of Beverly Hills 90210, making Shakespeare’s language more approachable for contemporary audiences.
Hester credits much of his growth to the people he works alongside, particularly director Jen Powell.
“She has so much experience to draw from,” he said. “I find myself like a child with some popcorn, just listening to her stories and being so fascinated.”
Hester has also taken on leadership roles behind the scenes. He served as executive producer and co-star in “A Steady Rain” in September 2025, portraying Joey, and was a producer for “God of Carnage” in March 2026. He also appeared as the Porter in Gem City Groundlings’ 2025 production of “Macbeth.”
Beyond individual performances, Hester believes Gem City Groundlings is helping build something larger: a supportive artistic community that encourages growth among performers of all ages. He has watched younger cast members develop their confidence and skills while veteran artists continue to challenge themselves creatively.
“It’s helped me figure out where I want to be as an artist and what kind of art I want to spread to the world,” Hester said.
Gem City Groundlings’ summer season will feature “As You Like It” and “Titus Andronicus” on alternating nights at the Dayton Masonic Center. “As You Like It” will be performed June 14, 16 and 18, while “Titus Andronicus” will run June 15, 17 and 18. General admission tickets are $30, while students can attend for a discounted rate of $15.
The company will also present free community performances throughout the summer. “As You Like It” will be staged June 20 at Stubbs Park in Centerville and June 26 at Levitt Pavilion in Dayton, while “Titus Andronicus” will have a free performance June 25 at Levitt Pavilion.
As Gem City Groundlings prepares to take the stage this summer, Hester hopes audiences leave with more than entertainment. Through Shakespeare’s timeless stories, the company aims to spark connection, conversation and creativity among theatergoers of all backgrounds.
“None of it matters unless we’re connecting with the audience,” Hester said.
Monsoon Koirala, reporter
Check out more from The Clarion:
- Sinclair student helps revive Shakespeare with Gem City Groundlings
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- 5 summer movies for audiences to look forward to
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