Born in Boston to a Kashmiri mother and a Missourian father, Karan split his time between Boston, London, and Hyderabad, and began acting in musicals when he was eight. He went on to explore all of theatre: writing, directing, lighting, designing, and even carpentry and welding in addition to acting before moving to Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California’s School of Dramatic Arts.

His skills backstage supported him at USC while he continued to explore the onstage craft, learning a variety of methods and techniques. While at university he also cofounded and ran the school’s first longform episodic improv troupe and starred in USC’s longest running TV series.

After graduating he ran yet another improv troupe, added to his roster a sketch comedy troupe, and continues to train with Bill Alderson, Second City, and with whomever else can drive him to improve.

Karan is an accomplished tenor, trained in Hindustani and Carnatic classical music as well as contemporary styles. In addition to acting and singing, he enjoys writing, graphic design, programming, and concert lighting.

He still doesn’t have a dog. He still wants one.

Karan Lyons

SAG-AFTRA Eligible Height: 6′0′′ (857) 544-9527 Weight: 120 lbs karan@karanlyons.com

Film

Flawless: Lead; Independent
My Anchor: Lead; Independent

Television

underGRAD: Series Regular; Trojan Vision

New Media

We Thought This Was Funny: Recurring

Theatre (selected)

Con-Man: A Musical: Billy (lead, originating); USC, Dir. David Schweizer
The Skin of Our Teeth: Henry Antrobus; Nobles Theatre Collective
The Bald Soprano: The Fire Chief; Nobles Theatre Collective

Training

B.A. Theatre: USC School of Dramatic Arts
Meisner Technique: William Alderson; William Alderson Acting Studio
Improvisation: Conservatory; The Second City
: Miles Stroth; The Pack Theater
Audition Technique: Margie Haber, Robin Dale Meyers; Margie Haber Studio
Commercial: Killian McHugh; Killian’s Workshop
Scene Study: Mary-Joan Negro; USC School of Dramatic Arts
On Camera: Joseph Hacker, Andrei Belgrader; USC School of Dramatic Arts
Voice Over: Phil Allen, Vicki Lewis; USC School of Dramatic Arts
Movement: Marjo-Riikka Makela; USC School of Dramatic Arts
Voice: Katherine Giaquinto; Ovation Voice Studio

Skills

Singing (Tenor: Hindustani, Carnatic, Classical and Contemporary), Sketch Writing, Improvisation (Five years running two troupes; Episodic longform with shortform)