About Rylan

Rylan Dean Hefner is a performer, playwright, lyricist, composer, director, choreographer, and arts educator. She is in her senior year at Oberlin College working towards a B.A. in Music and Theater, and splits her time between Oberlin, NYC, and Minneapolis.

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.

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, and La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club.