Meredith Shoemaker
Ryder and I performed in a number of shows together in middle school. There was one in I believe 7th grade where I drowned myself to death and turned into a ghost and Ryder was a detective solving the number of cases in the show. As the ghost, I got to go into the audience and sit next to random audience members. I have such a distinct memory of Ryder in his detective coat onstage, his acting was so sincere and thoughtful. Every time I think of him, I think of that moment. Ryder was always so positive, always wanting to learn something from every experience he encountered.