About Rylan

Rylan Dean Hefner is a performer, playwright, lyricist, composer, director, choreographer, and arts educator. She recently graduated from Oberlin College with a B.A. in Music and Theater, and is currently based in New York City. Rylan was a finalist for the 2026 Trans Lineage Playwrights Lab at Celebration Theatre.

Rylan creates work that is experimental and existential. She is interested in finding new ways of storytelling through music, and using the power of music to enhance theatrical experiences. They are motivated to work with other trans artists to tell the kinds of trans stories that aren’t present in mainstream media.

Under the umbrella of “performer” Rylan is an actress, a dancer, a singer, a violinist, and a pianist. She is represented as an actor by Stalwart Talent Management.

Rylan has written the book, music, and lyrics for two full-length musicals: The Experience Machine, and The Answer. They recently directed the world premier of The Answer at Oberlin College.

Beyond Oberlin, she has trained at the Wesley Balk Opera/Music-Theater Institute, Zenon Dance School, MacPhail Center for Music, The Guthrie Theater, La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club, and Mark Evans Studio.