Hard act to follow
From Russellville to Paris, New York and back: Elizabeth Ragsdale
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Story and photos by MARÍA CAMP rom Russellville to Paris to New York and back, Elizabeth Ragsdale has had a full life, traveling, writing, raising children and – a special passion – acting. “Acting is a wonderful creative outlet for me. I find it therapeutic,” explained Ragsdale. “I believe that God gives us all gifts and that this is one of my mine.” Ragsdale won a scholarship to the University of North Alabama when she was chosen as the first Miss RHS at Russellville High School. Part of her performance during the pageant was a musical theatre number, which impressed a judge who also taught acting at UNA. After graduating from high school in 1983, Ragsdale used the UNA scholarship, in addition to working two jobs, to pursue and obtain a degree in theatre.
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While a student at the university, she performed in a number of musicals, including “A Chorus Line,” “Pippin” and “Gypsy,” as well as other plays. “I love performing, and I’ve been fortunate to get to be part of so many wonderful shows,” Ragsdale said. Right after college graduation, Ragsdale made her way to Paris. “I was supposed to stay three months, but wound up staying two years.” From there, she went to New York to pursue acting. “That meant waiting some tables, too,” Ragsdale said, “but I learned a lot while I was there.” She performed in an off-Broadway show, “The Texas Telethon,” and had a small role on the long-running soap opera “One Life to Live.” “I also played various other roles on the show. I was in commercials. I did lots of things around New York,” she said. Ragsdale spent most of her time concentrating on theatre. “We put up showcases and invited agents, performing scenes for them. It helped get us in front of people in the industry.” She studied with Fred Kareman at his studio in Carnegie Hall – a class she had to audition for in order to attend. “It was full of Broadway actors and people doing movies and whatnot,” she said. “He taught the Meisner technique.”
Making changes
All the while, Ragsdale said she had a general timeframe in mind about how long she would pursue trying to break into acting on a full-time basis. “I knew I would try to make it as an actor until I was about 30 and then think about a family and about pursuing something else,” explained Ragsdale. “New York was the cream of the crop in every area – theatre, music, restaurants. It has the best of everything, and there’s an energy in New York that I have never felt anywhere else. It’s magical.” It’s also, however, a tough city to make it in, largely because of the cost of living being so high. For those who feel inclined to try the New York life, Ragsdale said she recommends giving it a try while young and before having commitments like children.
Franklin Living
