NYC industries influenced by UL Lafayette alumni

Two UL Lafayette alumni are making their marks in the Big Apple. Ryan Broussard ’16 and Megan Broussard ’09 have taken New York City by storm and are breaking into the entertainment and media industries. While the pair are in no relation, the two share more than just a last name. Both alumni have used their knowledge from the University to jumpstart their careers and excel in their respective crafts.

Ryan Broussard made his leap to New York City to pursue a career in acting. He recently made his Broadway debut in the 2022 Tony-award-winning revival of "Take Me Out." You can also find him starring as Martin Short’s son, Will, in the Hulu original series "Only Murders in the Building."

After a stint in the professional baseball industry, Ryan decided to pivot his career to follow his childhood dream of becoming an actor. “I at least wanted to give it a try,” Ryan said. When he was looking for a place to start his training, he knew that UL Lafayette would be the perfect fit. While pursuing a degree in theatre, he was exposed to a wide variety of classes. He also got hands-on experience in several productions within the theatre program.

With this experience and additional training at Brown University, Ryan has been able to dive headfirst into the New York acting scene. When he made his Broadway debut in "Take Me Out," Broussard said the opportunity was “like a dream come true.” Working with comedy legend Martin Short on "Only Murders in the Building" was another dream Ryan never thought possible. “Every day on set, we were laughing, and it was just so special,” he said. His acting career is just getting started, and there will surely be more dream roles in his future.

Megan Broussard’s journey to New York City has resulted in a fruitful career as a writer and producer. She is currently an associate producer at Warner Bros. Discovery and a writer on the television show "The Chase." Her work has been featured in publications such as The New Yorker and Marie Claire. She’s even been nominated for a Writers Guild Award.

Megan’s education at UL Lafayette laid the foundation for her career in media. She studied public relations at the University and was surrounded by professors that supported her goals and ambitions. “[My professors] even put me in touch with [UL Lafayette] alumni to help me land an internship after graduation,” Megan said.

She initially started working at a large agency in their digital marketing sector in Dallas, Texas. She learned valuable skills throughout her time at the agency and eventually transferred to their New York City location. Once she made it to the city, Megan could hone in on her true passions — producing and writing.

Throughout her career, Megan has had several “pinch me” moments. “I’d say working in my first writer’s room was a huge accomplishment,” she said. She also can’t believe that she’s gotten to produce so much content in the television industry. As she looks to her future, she wants to focus on telling stories that shine a light on the unique Cajun culture of South Louisiana. Her advice for aspiring writers — keep improving yourself every single day. “If you feel like you’re trying something new every day, then you’re on the right track,” Megan said.

These two outstanding alumni have accomplished so much during their time in New York City so far. They hope to inspire others to follow in their footsteps and chase their passions. Even though they may be New Yorkers now, these Ragin’ Cajuns will never forget their Louisiana roots.

Photo Captions: (Left) Alumnus Ryan Broussard and his on-screen father, Martin Short, on the set of Only Murders in the Building. (Right) Alumna Megan Broussard smiles at her desk where creativity often transfers from her mind to written word for publications and television. Submitted Photos