Courtney “RYDAAA” Curtis is a Washington, DC native and multimedia producer whose creative spark was lit at age 12. An early love of writing and storytelling led her to explore photography, videography, editing, and live production, skills she has steadily sharpened into a professional practice aimed at making meaningful work that resonates with communities.

Courtney began her career in DC Public Schools as an elementary educator, teaching subjects from ELA and mathematics to more adventurous electives like comic-book creation and digital content production. Those classroom years taught her two durable truths: the power of clear communication, and the centrality of community. She learned to listen closely, translate big ideas into accessible lessons, and build trust with families and colleagues, skills that now inform every project she leads.

Driven by an inner conviction that she was meant to do more with her creative talents, Courtney transitioned full-time into the DMV’s multimedia scene. As a regular contributor across the DMV creative circuit, she has worked behind the camera and behind the console—shooting photo and video, directing shoots, and managing live productions for events, campaigns, and independent projects. That hands-on experience gave her the technical fluency and production discipline needed to deliver on tight deadlines and high expectations.

Out of that momentum she founded RYD Productions, a boutique production company focused on storytelling that uplifts local voices and amplifies cultural narratives. Courtney combines educator-level clarity, storyteller’s curiosity, and producer’s grit to create work that is both polished and human-centered. Whether she’s crafting a short documentary, producing a live event, or mentoring emerging creators, Courtney’s practice centers community, communication, and craft—rooted in the city that shaped her vision.