Tess Riley (she/her) is a New York based actor, writer, and theater maker. She graduated with a BFA in acting from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in 2022.

Recent credits include Maddie Cardarelli's Subject X (Spark Theatre Festival; The Tank), Eric Conger's The Park directed by Emmy-winning Cady McClain, The Revolutionists (Titan Theater NYC), In the Heat of the Night (Delaware REP). Tess has also appeared in several short films that have earned spots in festivals across New York, including The Slicks (New York Shorts International Film Festival), Migraine Protocol (New York International Film Festival, Queens World Film Festival, NYC Indie Film Fest, Big Apple Film Festival), and Lovers (New York Short Film Festival).

Tess is dedicated to the creation of new work, with a central interest in stories that help us deconstruct and understand the misunderstood. She strives to bring voice to those who have been overlooked, and loves exploring the levity and absurdity that inevitably flirts with moments of great tragedy. She is committed to uplifting weird, imperfect, unpredictable women in everything she makes.

Currently, Tess just shot Subterfuge (Amongst Other High Thoughts) a short she wrote. Tess also has several projects in pre-production: Everest, a new play she co-wrote with Alyssa James, produced by Raw Daisies; and Reaction, a short film she co-wrote with Maxwell Rousso, in which she also stars.

When she's off the metaphorical clock, Tess can reliably be found with her headphones on — either deep in music or far down a video essay rabbit hole. Her most notable media obsessions right now include Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Rejection by Tony Tulathimutte, the post-hyperpop landscape of music, YouTube creator Contrapoints, The Rehearsal, Elena Ferrante, and Fergie’s National Anthem.