As a kid, Ryder had always been drawn to dance, but it was watching a Broadway show that gave her an aha moment to transition into acting. "When I was younger, I wanted to be a dancer and a marine biologist, and it wasn't until I saw "Matilda" on Broadway that I considered performing," Ryder told W Magazine.
Despite having little to no experience with acting or singing, Ryder and her sister both auditioned for "Matilda the Musical" shortly after they saw the production, and amazingly they both landed roles! Ryder described her role as "dance-heavy," which she says helped as she transitioned from strictly dance to theater. "And having my sister backstage with me really made it feel like home," she said.
