Howard Ryshpan (born December 5, 1932, in New York City) (son of Reuben Ryshpan (1887–1977) and Cecilia Nathanson) is a Canadian anglophone screen and voice character actor, in radio, film, television and theater. He also taught theater. He has directed numerous plays, notably at festivals. As an artist, Howard Ryshpan is one of the pioneers of Black & White English television in Montreal which started in September 1952.
His father Reuben was born in Poland from Hungarian origin parents, having arrived in Connecticut at the age of 9. His mother Cecilia who was born in Ottawa was a musician and music teacher successively in Ottawa, Toronto and New York. Howard's parents moved from New York City to Montreal in 1934.
Howard Ryshpan studied at Strathcona Christian Academy in Outremont, until grade 9 (until 1947); one year at Montreal Technical School (1947–48), which was run by the Jesuits on Sherbrooke Street; and three years at Bishop's College (1948–51). In June 1951, Howard received his study certificate from Bishop's College School (B.C.S.) at Lennoxville, Québec.Sherbrooke Daily Record, article "King's Hall B.C.S. Matric Given", July 20, 1951, p. 11, publishing the list of graduate students After Bishop College, Howard was a student from Sept. 1951 to April 1952 in a baccalaureate of arts at Sir Georges William University (which merged with Loyola University in 1974) in Montreal.
His mother wanted him to become a musician. His father Reuben wanted him to get over the family business in textile in Montreal; the factory that produced ladies and children wears, as well as military clothing during the Second World War (1939–1945), was located on Dowd Street. This stock company ("Advance Scarf Mfg. Co., Limited") in Montreal had been owned since 1935 by his father Reuben and his uncle Meyer;Gazette officielle du Québec - April 6, 1935, p. 1608, formalization of the letters patent of the joint-stock company "Advance Scarf Mfg. Co., Limited". the latter was also a painter, engraver and watercolorist. Howard started working there at the age of 9 during school holidays; he tied the bundles of linen for shipment. But Howard preferred to start a career in performing arts. Theater was a dream for him. In summer 1948 (at 16), Howard was an animator in a Laurentian summer camp. Then he worked briefly at his father's textile factory.
After graduating from Bishop, Ryshpan accepted an offer to enlist in the Canadian Army. He took initial courses in the handling of arms with the Montreal Blackjack regiment. However, he did not have to participate in the Korean War (1950–53).
He married Virginia Rae Burns on November 23, 1956, in Montreal. The couple sailed on the next morning on the RMS Ivernia for a crossing of the Atlantic, from Montreal to the city of Le Havre, France.Sherbrooke Daily Record, 1956-22-28, p. 10 – Announcement of the marriage of Howard Ryshpan et Virginia Rae. Following an extended stay in Paris, Ryshpan studied in private school, under one of Europe's most famous dramatic teachers, Étienne Decroux (1898–1991) who formulated the art of mime. Then the couple Ryshpan-Rae extended the summer 1957 travelling on the Continent and in the British Isles.Sherbrooke Daily Record, 1956-22-28, p. 10 – Announcement of the marriage of Howard Ryshpan et Virginia Rae.
Howard Ryshpan has been living in semi-retirement since 2009 on a farm in the municipality of Bristol in the Pontiac Regional County Municipality, in Quebec, in Canada.
Biography Professional career in theater
Student theater performances
Howard Ryshpan was an actor in Shakespeare's play The Tempes presented in February 1949 by the Player's Club production team at Bishop's College School (BCS), where he was a student.Sherbrooke Daily Record, February 7, 1949, p. 5, publishing a reminder 15 years later of February 7, 1949.
Howard played the role of Russian ballet teacher in the comic play You can't take it with you at the B.C.S. Players' Club on February 6 and 7, 1950. The screenplay focuses on a Sycamore family from New York who believes in the philosophy of living now rather than trying to make a lot of money, because you can't win with you.Sherbrooke Daily Record, February 4, 1950, p. 3, article "B.C.S. Players' Club To Stage Comedy Success You can't take it with you.
For the 1950–51 school year at BCS, Howard personalized in a room the role of a bishop, with excellent synchronization, good gestures and demonstrating good control.Sherbrooke Daily Record, December 1, 1950, p 3 , article: BCS Players Will Stage Comic Farce announcing the presentation of the day in Lennoxville and that of January 17, 1951 at the Myra Theater in Richmond.
Theatrical performances in artistic career
On December 1, 1950, Howard Ryshpan was a participant in the Philip King's farce, See How They Run humor contest at Bishop's College School. This contest was organized by the Player's Club under the direction of Lewis Evans and directed by the school principal Ronald Owen.Sherbrooke Daily Record, article "BCS Players Do Good Job In Comic Farce ", December 2, 1950, p. 5, publishing the list of graduate students.
Howard Ryshpan played as an actor in the professional troop Canadian Players at the Gesù Theater in Montreal, in particular: until July 18, 1953, in the play French Without Tears written by Terence Rattigan.Photo journal, article We are fighting (and we are reconciled) on the stage of Gesù!, July 16, 1953, p. 43. This is the story of a bunch of boys who are preparing for diplomacy while learning French, and who are troubled by the appearance of a young (light) woman. In a classic crossover on stage, the actors Victor Knight, Ion Dobbie and Howard Ryshpan fight to conquer the heart of the young woman personified by Jeanine Beaubien; in the fall of 1953, in the play Light up the Sky, a comedy by Moss Hart.Column: At a glance... in the limelight, by Guy Beaulne, October 3, 1953, p. 14 and 19.
Howard was one of the performers in the play A Sleep Of Prisoners by Christopher Fry presented on March 3, 1954, in the Van Horne auditorium by the Everyman Players at the Festival Dramatique de l'Ouest du Québec. The competition judge noted that the production of the Everyman Players was of very high quality and that the four performers (Griffith Brewer, John Hempstead, Howard Ryshpan and Victor Knights) had adequately established the atmosphere for Fry's drama, which takes place in a church transformed into a prison camp.Article "At the Dramatic Festival - La Nouvelle Gigue, by Jasmin, very well received", La Presse, Montreal, March 4, 1954, p. 37.
In January 1956, Howard Ryshpan played at the Y.M.H.A. in the play Ring round the moon by taking on the double role of Hugo, dry heart and spoiled child and his sensitive twin brother Frédéric, flexibly passing to both characters.Le Devoir, January 9, 1956, p. 7, column "Au théâtre - La saison repart", by P. de Grandpré.
Howard Ryshpan played in a troop of 20 English-speaking comedians from March 14 to 24, 1956, in the play The Trial presented at Gesù by Théâtre du Nouveau Monde (created in 1954).Le Devoir, March 14, 1956, p. 7.
Howard Ryshpan played in various plays at the Montreal International Theater in the La Poudrière building, in Old Port of Montreal, including: the main role of David, in the play Write me a murder, written by Frederick Knott, which was played, from July 22, 1963;20 page brochure of February 9, 1966 from the Théâtre International de Montréal in the La Poudrière building, in the Old Port of Montreal, presenting the play Write me a murder. a role of stage manager in the summer of 1963 for the play Romanoff and Juliet, written in 1956 by Peter Ustinov; a role in the play The Rattle of a Simple Man in three short acts, written by Charles Dyer, presented in April 1965;Article Théâtre-Charmante comedy at the Poudrière, by Jean Béraud, La Presse, Montreal, April 9, 1965, p. 13.. and resumed from February 9, 1966. The action of the play takes place at the Rodingham Manor, located about two hours from London.Brochure de 20 page brochure of February 9, 1966 from the Théâtre International de Montréal in the La Poudrière building, in the Old Port of Montreal, presenting the play "The Rattle of a Simple Man"
From 10 to April 19, 1965, Howard directed the bilingual play "Le Grand Grand Château" for children at the Petit Théâtre in Place Ville Marie. It is a tale of Mother Goose.Article "Bilingual children's theater: Le Grand Grand Château, by Lily Tasso, La Presse, Montreal, April 10, 1965, p. 9.
In the summer of 1965, Howard Ryshpan played with Joan Stuart in the play "The Tiger", written by Murray Schisgal, produced by Montreal Instant Theater for Piggery Playhouse Guild inc at "The Piggery-Summer Theater" in Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley, inaugurated on August 2, 1965.Article "Piggery Playhouse story said one of a community", by Leonard Ryan (record wire editor), Sherbrooke daily record, August 2, 1965, p. 1. This play will be performed on Oct. 21, 1965 at the Canadian Institute, at the Canadian Women's Circle.Article "In Quebec today - Arts", Le Soleil, Quebec, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 1965, p. 40. Journalist Claude Daigneault commented on the play: "Howard Ryshpan, in the role of "Tiger" proved to be versatile. A breathtaking diction, an inexorable mimicry, he knows many tricks to enhance the humor of a text."Article "After instant coffee, here is instant theater", by Claude Daigneault, Le Soleil, Oct. 22, 1965, p. 8.
Ryshpan was responsible for the distribution of the play "Fam and Yam", a short play by Edward Albee presented on January 17, 1966, at L'Instant Theater, directed by Mary To die. It is the meeting of a famous playwright, Fam, and a young playwright, Yam. The latter rather makes a biased interview by delivering his opinions and taunting the owners of theaters.Article "Theater - Albee at the Instant Theater", by Martial Dassylva, La Presse, Montreal, January 18, 1966, p. 18.
In May 1966, he conducted two plays for the new Théâtre Baril in Montreal.Sherbrooke Daily Record, May 4, 1966, p. 15, article "Theater workshop is held", describing the meeting of Howard Ryshpan (professional actor and show director) at Bishop's College Scholl in Lennoxville, QC, with theater students from six schools.
The play “Bird in the Box” by Maxime Fleischman started the Regional Dramatic Festival in 1967. This play in three acts (each representing Hope, Illusion and Truth) en-scène by Howard Ryshpan takes place in a hotel suite decor in Manhattan; it features people associated directly or indirectly with Broadway Theatre (53rd Street).Article "A single French-language play at the Regional Dramatic Festival", by Martial Dassylva, La Presse, Montréal, March 18, 1967 , p. 41.Article "Theater - When we have something to say ...", by Martial Dassylva, La Presse, Montréal, March 21, 1967, p. 58.Article "From the echoes of the Regional Festival of Dramatic Art in Western Quebec", Le Soleil, March 23, 1967, p. 40.
In Nov. 1967, he was the director of the play "The day it rained forever" by Ray Bradbury and played the role of Mr. Fremley. This piece was presented at the Théâtre de la Place (Place Ville-Marie).Article "The decor is improving", by Martial Dassylva, La Presse, 30 Nov 1967, p. 60.
Howard was one of 10 performers in a three-piece series presented at the University of Waterloo on Oct. 5, 1968 by the Montreal Instant Theater as part of the Festival The Arts in the Pepsi-Generation, organized by the students of this institution. These three pieces are "Land Before Time" by Charles Cohen, This is "The Rill Speaking" by Lanford Wilson and "Revue Time" by Harold Pinter and N. Simpson.Article "The Instant Theater in Ontario", La Presse, Montreal, Sept. 24, 1968, p. 68.