Ian Ward (actor)

Ian Ward
Born
Ian Ward Brininstool

1996 (age 29–30)
La Jolla, California, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Actor
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • musician
  • composer
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active2005–present
Label
  • Mutual Street Entertainment
Websiteianwardoutward.com

Ian Ward (Ian Ward Brininstool) is an actor, singer, songwriter, and musician. He has starred in Rock of Ages, Rent, Catch Me If You Can, and the Lifetime TV movie, Bad Tutor, among others. He has performed with artists such as Adam Lambert, Cynthia Erivo, Josh Gad, John Stamos, Idina Menzel, and Phillipa Soo,[1] and worked with Cyndi Lauper and Pat Benatar in theatre productions, Working Girl and Invincible. In 2025, he auditioned on American Idol and received a "Golden Ticket" to compete in Hollywood, California as well as releasing his debut EP, One Shot.[2][3]

Early Life and Education

Ian Ward Brininstool was born in 1996 in La Jolla, California.[2][4][5] He began singing at the age of nine in theater productions in New York and Southern California and started playing the guitar and writing songs at thirteen years old.[6]

In 2005, at the age of nine, Ward made his professional stage debut in the title role of Oliver! at San Diego's Starlight Musical Theatre and played several roles in the Old Globe Theatre's production of Ace and How the Grinch Stole Christmas as well as portraying Edgar in Ragtime at the Starlight Musical Theatre in 2007. He played the role of Rodney in the TV series, Veronica Mars in 2005 - 2006.[7][8]

In 2009, at 13 years old, Ward was named "Outstanding Young Artist," a category created specifically for Ward, by the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle for his portrayal of Rudy in the North Coast Repertory production of Over the Tavern.[9] In August 2010, he was struck by an intoxicated motorist who had intentionally rammed his car into a group of teenagers in La Jolla, California. Ward sustained injuries including a concussion, broken leg, and bruised kidney.[10][11]

Ward studied musical theatre at the University of Miami before transferring to Berklee College of Music where he majored in music business and songwriting.[12][6][13]

Career

In 2016, Ward performed in American Idiot at La Mirada Theatre in Los Angeles.[14] In 2018, he made his Broadway debut in Getting the Band Back Together at the Belasco Theatre as well as starring in the Lifetime TV movie, Bad Tutor and Rock of Ages on Norwegian Cruise Line, among other productions.[15][16][17] In 2019, Ward played the role of Boyd on the TV series, 9-1-1.

In 2020, Ward played the lead role of Drew in Rock of Ages in Hollywood which received favorable reviews. Entertainment Weekly wrote, "but it's Ian Ward and Callandra Olivia who give Rock of Ages its pulsing, neon-lit heart. Ward lends Drew, the show's aspiring rocker, a glimmering naivety — his winsome, natural earnestness matched by his powerful belt and soulful voice."[18]

In 2022, he starred in Catch Me If You Can playing the lead role of Frank Abagnale, Jr., with the Ithaca Times writing, "Ward owns the role at every moment, sings splendidly, and is so amiable and polite you forget he's scamming."[19][20] That same year Ward played the lead role of Roger in a nine-month production of Rent at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which received favorable reviews,[21][22] and performed in Pat Benatar's Invincible - The Musical at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills.[23] In 2023 - 2024, he played the role of Anatole in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 in the US and Shanghai.[24] Ward played the role of Roger in Rent in Concert at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park featuring the San Diego Symphony in 2024.[25]

In 2025, Ward auditioned on Season 23 of American Idol and won a "Gold Ticket" to compete in Hollywood, CA after receiving a "Yes" vote from judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan.[26][12] That same year he performed in Jesus Christ Superstar (featuring Cynthia Erivo and Adam Lambert) at the Hollywood Bowl as well as performing in Cyndi Lauper's Working Girl at the La Jolla Playhouse.[27][1][28][29] Ward released his debut EP, One Shot, on January 13, 2025 with singles "Ocean Eyes" and "You Can Do Better" receiving positive reviews.[30][31][32][33]

Selected Theatre Performances

Source:[24]

Year Title Role Notes
2025 Working Girl Mick Cyndi Lauper and La Jolla Playhouse
Jesus Christ Superstar Apostle[34] Hollywood Bowl
2024 From Here to Eternity Prewitt Skylight Music Theatre
Rent in Concert Roger Rady Shell at Jacobs Park
2023 - 2024 Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 Anatole US/Shanghai
2023 Rent Roger[21] Oregon Shakespeare Festival
2022 Invincible Paris[23] Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
Catch Me If You Can Frank Jr. Merry-Go-Round Playhouse
2019 - 2020 Rock of Ages Drew Bourbon Room (Hollywood, CA)
2018 Gettin' the Band Back Together Ricky/Swing[15] Belasco Theatre
Gettin' the Band Back Together Ricky/Swing[15] Norwegian Cruise Line
2017 - 2018 BAZ: A Musical Mashup Romeo[17] Palazzo Theatre
2016 American Idiot Will[35] La Mirada Theatre
2010 Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes Patrick Radio City Music Hall
2009 Over the Tavern Rudy[7]
2008 Leap of Faith Boyd
2005 Oliver![7] Oliver Starlight Musical Theatre

Film and TV

Year Title Role Notes
2025 American Idol Himself Contestant
2020 9-1-1 Boyd
2018 Bad Tutor Steve Lifetime TV Movie
2006 Veronica Mars Rodney

References

  1. ^ a b "Phillipa Soo, Josh Gad, Zachary James, Tyrone Huntley, Brian Crum Join Hollywood Bowl Jesus Christ Superstar - Cynthia Erivo and Adam Lambert will lead the concert staging of the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical by Andrew Gans". Playbill. July 14, 2025. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  2. ^ a b "La Jolla native Ian Ward reflects on short-lived American Idol experience - Ward received a golden ticket thanks to audition with Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood by Ashley Mackin Solomon". San Diego Tribune. April 5, 2025. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  3. ^ "Ian Ward". Apple Music. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  4. ^ "Ian Brininstool". National Youth Theater. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  5. ^ "Ian Ward of American Idol Season 23 by Mark Franklin". This Is The Latest. March 2, 2025. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Ian Ward". Broadway World. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  7. ^ a b c "Starlight delivers a must-see 'Oliver!'". San Diego Union Tribune. July 20, 2005. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  8. ^ "Ace Soars at Old Globe as Aviation Musical with Michael Arden Opens Jan. 18 by Ernio Hernandez". Playbill. January 18, 2007. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  9. ^ "Teen picks up award as outstanding young actor". San Diego Union Tribune. February 18, 2010. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  10. ^ "Driver Accused of Hitting Teens Appears in Court". NBC. October 21, 2010. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  11. ^ "Drugged Driver Sentenced for La Jolla Crash". NBC. May 4, 2011. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  12. ^ a b "American Idol Season 23 contestant Ian Ward floors the judges during first round auditions". KOMO News. March 16, 2025. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
  13. ^ "Ian Ward". Sound Better. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
  14. ^ "American Idiot". Retrieved February 16, 2026.
  15. ^ a b c "Feature: Ian Ward Shares His Dream in GETTIN' THE BAND BACK TOGETHER by Debbie Hall". Broadway World. July 9, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  16. ^ "Gettin' the Band Back Together to Close on Broadway by Olivia Clement". Playbill. August 31, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
  17. ^ a b "'Baz' star Ian Ward makes plans to release his first album by Brock Radke". Las Vegas Sun. June 13, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  18. ^ "Rock of Ages in Hollywood makes dinner theater sexy again - Review by Maureen Lee Lenker". Entertainment Weekly. January 16, 2020. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
  19. ^ "The power of charisma in theatre by Barbara Adams". Ithaca Times. June 20, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
  20. ^ "CATCH ME IF YOU CAN Opens At The REV Theatre Company - Catch Me If You Can is a high-flying, heartfelt musical comedy about chasing your dreams and not getting caught". Broadway World. June 8, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  21. ^ a b "THEATER REVIEW: 'Rent' magic — Oregon Shakespeare Festival's 'Rent' production stands the test of time by Lucie K. Scheuer". The Rogue Valley Times. July 13, 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  22. ^ "La Jolla native Ian Ward's upcoming debut album marks the latest stage of his musical career by Ashley Mackin Solomon". San Diego Tribune. August 26, 2024. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
  23. ^ a b "Cast Set for Premiere of Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo's Musical Invincible by Lindsey 25, 2022". Broadway. December 2, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
  24. ^ a b "Ian Ward". Backstage. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  25. ^ "RENT IN CONCERT WITH THE SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA". San Diego Symphony. August 2, 2024. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
  26. ^ "La Jolla native Ian Ward reflects on short-lived American Idol experience - Ward received a golden ticket thanks to audition with Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood by Ashley Mackin Solomon". San Diego Tribune. April 5, 2025. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
  27. ^ "Jesus Christ Superstar Ensemble Members Hollywood Bowl". Hollywood Bowl. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
  28. ^ "Working Girl". La Jolla Playhouse. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  29. ^ "Review: WORKING GIRL at La Jolla Playhouse -Playing at La Jolla Playhouse through December 14th by Erin Marie Reiter". Broadway World. November 20, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  30. ^ "Ian Ward - One Shot". Apple Music. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  31. ^ "Ian Ward's "One Shot" Is An Anthem for Risk and Romance". Buzz Music. February 25, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  32. ^ "Ian Ward Bridges Broadway and Pop on His Cinematic New Single "Ocean Eyes" by Leslie Sherman". Indie Music Discovery. October 31, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  33. ^ "Golden Ticket: We Speak With Ian Ward About Latest Single 'You Can Do Better', And His Experience On American Idol". Essentially Pop. July 5, 2025. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  34. ^ "Ian Ward page 34". Performances Magazine. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  35. ^ "Dazzling 'Idiot' catches spirit and tumult of teen alienation". OC Register. May 4, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
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