Today we’d like to introduce you to Ric Maddox.
Hi Ric, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Playhouse West was founded in 1981 by Jeff Goldblum and Robert Carnegie in Los Angeles with a small group of students led by Mr. Meisner himself. Many of the students have gone on to great careers such as: Mark Pelligrino, James Franco, Scott Caan and so on. My story begins in 2009 with my journey with Playhouse West. I entered class as a working actor on a TV show and was quickly humbled by the level of dedication and hard working actors that had such a raw, real, and truthful approach to acting I had never seen or experienced. It shook me to the core and I instantly knew that this would become the home where I would grow do the next 2-3 years…which became the next 6 years lol.
I always tell my students, “I became a real
Actor when I found Playhouse West.” It is where I met and worked with Jeff Goldblum, James Franco, Scott Haze, Lukas Behnken, Sean Carrigan, Jim Parrack, and so many more. It is under the teachings of incredible teachers like Tony Savant, Holly Gagnier, and Jeff and Jimmy and Bob and Mark that I learned my craft and finally felt like I had something to offer. I learned to break down a script correctly to approach a script correctly and work truthfully off of my scene partner. I learned the true value of hustle and work ethic. I was tonight not to wait for the agent to call, but to go out and create my own career.
I’ll never forget when my Teacher and friend Tony Savant and I were chatting after class one day and we were discussing westerns and how they no longer make them(waaaaay before Yellowstone) and Tony simply shrugged and said, “Well, why don’t you go make one then.” So I did. I started with a very short 7 page script and $500 bucks and went to shoot a short film called, “Valley of Death” about a young lone cowboy traveling to the next town where he encounters a woman who has fled from a fire only to discover she was part of an ambush. The film was received very very well and that led to investor talks to create it into a tv show to go back to the beginning of this young man “Jesse Struthers”
Life. We called it “Dead Men the Series.” It was bought out completely by SONY in 2018 and was a game changer for me as an actor, producer, and writer. I had to do all of my own stunts in that one too! Lol.
Covid changed everything. My family and I loved our church in CA, but we needed to get back home to Texas where I belonged so we packed up right as Covid was just starting and we headed back to central Texas where my parents have some land. Realizing the land was vanishing due to development, my wife and explored more land up north and found a beautiful farm and ranch close to the river we were able to close on and start our homestead lifestyle. Since I was now located closer to the DFW metroplex I connected with another Playhouse West alumni and friend and now teaching partner Tamara Olsen(Now Osborne) and we discussed the possibility of starting a Playhouse West here in Dallas. We saw the enormous need for a Meisner school and theatre company that focuses on raw acting and also a need for new plays. There can never be enough art in this world and especially in Texas-Dallas. We started our conversations with the founders and also Tony Savant who runs the Philadelphia chapter and we got the blessing to open one up right here in Dallas. Since we do not really advertise and focus on quality over quantity we have remained very steady with our students over the past 19-20 months since we opened our doors. Through word of mouth we have had a average of 3-4 students a month that come to audit. The responses have been incredible, we had an older student come to audit about 6 months ago. When I asked him his thoughts, he said, “I have lived here my whole Life and trained everywhere and never seen work like this.” We as teachers give credit to Mr. Meisner and the teachers that had poured into us as we are simply passing along Mr. Meisner’s legacy. I have found that the Meisner technique-when taught correctly, is the most accessible set of tools for the regular person. Anyone can relate to loss, love, jealousy, anger, etc. etc. though his technique anybody can walk through our doors and start having an immediate experience. We have a retired Airline Pilot that is the most senior in our class and also one of the hardest working students in our class. He is serious about his growth and his work is displaying that in class.
We have an incredible class right now of hard working students and working actors dedicated to challenging each other and leaving the egos at the door. We have an incredible group of students that are pushing each other to be their best.
Class structure: we have three levels of class: beginner, intermediate, And advanced. Everyone starts at beginner level and can rank up depending on work Ethic and their hustle. We have our first set of Advanced students as of last month. This select group of advanced students started in March of 2024 with a group of 12 and only 6 made it. We are not a school for the faint of heart. We are in the business of refining actors and creating working professionals. A 50 percent drop out rate is something Tamara and I have witnessed quite regularly. This is not an easy profession ask to be excellent at it requires focus, dedication, and unbelievable determination.
Cost: We are the most affordable acting school in town by a landslide
at $205 a month and two classes a week, but our rates will be going up in January 2026 to $250. Still Incredible pricing. This is a mission for Tamara and I to change the face of the acting scene in the DFW area.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Our struggles were to be expected: seeing the best in a student even when they cannot or in some cases will not. Dealing with egos or students who want to be told they are good and move through the motions #nope…That’s not how we operate. We did not expect the fascinating culture of The acting scene in Dallas. Tamara and I are professionals who have traveled and worked in New York, LA, and a bit of all over including international work for me and with all of Our experience and connections we still seek to grow better every day and never stop learning. Mediocrity is the killer of all Dreams and especially your craft as an actor. Don’t be a mediocre actor….become an extraordinary actor…a high quality working actor. We have experienced a handful of auditors that watch class, are amazing by the work, but I also note a bit of fear in their eyes when they witness the level of work. I was always taught to face fears head on. It’s like my talent manager said to me In the first meeting, “If you are comfortable to work in class you are in the wrong class…go to ann uncomfortable acting class and be challenged to grow And get better.” We have an extraordinary hard working class, but more local actors are needed who are fearless, committed, And emotionally available.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I wear many many hats. I am a veteran a serving my country I am Most proud of, my family-beautiful wife and kiddos. The farm and some businesses I have developed, but on the creative side I am Certainly most proud of my Western TV show “Dead Men the series.” The show not The movie lol. I am known for my work as playing the historic Sheriff Pat Garrett in Robert Redford’s “The American West” on AMC and Officer Durkee in “House” alongside Lin Manuel-Miranda and Hugh Laurie, for FX, “American Crime Story: the assassination of Gianni Versace” with Finn Wittrock and some original works I did with James Franco, Scott Haze(Jurassic World), Lukas Behken(Sounds of Freedom) and Jim Parrack(True Blood). Lastly would be the play I did with Jeff Goldblum. Jeff became a dear friend and great mentor to me along with Tony Savant(Artistic Director of Playhouse West Philadelphia)
Aside from career highlights, I think what sets me apart is my ability to have the Army Sharpshooter and cowboy background and still keep the off the wall sense of humor all Jumbled up into one ball of energy lol. It’s intensity with several comic asides with me.
Gotta keep it light and fun right? Life is too short. Although I have received offers for a few features this year and was on hold for a recurring role in a network show, I do find immense joy also as the Artistic Director of Playhouse West Dallas and teaching students to be there best self and encouraging new works for plays and films. To go out and make it happen for Themselves.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Yes. Do not choose a mentor quickly. Pray over it. Shake hands and look in the eyes of a mentor. Make sure they have room in their life for You and their is a genuine connection and authenticity that they are truly for your growth and not needing something from you. A mentor can guide you through struggles and a mentor is someone you can look up to and strive to be like or want to be like. I have several mentors that have shaped me to who I am today and the most important mentor that is immediately accessible to everyone is the Lord Jesus Christ. Yes…my early morning quiet times and peace I get from genuinely sinking into his word in the morning is the highlight of my day. Seek and you shall find.
Pricing:
- 205/month for 2025
- 250/month for 2026
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.playhousewestdallas.com
- Instagram: @playhousewestdallas
- Facebook: @Playhousewestdallas
Image Credits
Playhouse West Dallas
