Name: Shelby Ringdahl
Year: Senior, Class of 2015
Major: Musical Theatre
Minor: Business
Hometown: Columbia, Missouri
Shelby Ringdahl shines light on her career in the spotlight. As a pageant girl and aspiring actress, Shelby loves to spend time serving others. Get to know Shelby and some of the amazing things she’s involved with on campus.
Q: When did you begin pageants? Was it something that you were always really into?
A: “I did my first pageant as a sophomore in college! I was never into them (besides watching Miss America with my mom), and grew up an athlete playing varsity volleyball and basketball. In a voice lesson here at TCU, my professor suggested I enter a pageant to sing for talent and try and win some scholarship money. I put ‘compete at Miss Missouri’ on my bucket list and 21 months later, I was at Miss America!”
Q: Tell me a little about your acting career.
A: “I’ve been acting since the 5th grade in everything from professional children’s theatres to local commercials. I participated in choir, theatre, show choir, and piano lessons while in high school and always sang the National Anthem before home volleyball games before jumping in the starting line up. When applying to college, I thought I would go pre-med to have a more stable career, but my Dad told me to follow my passions and not stability because I would be much happier. So, I auditioned for BFA programs around the country and ended up at TCU. Since being here, I’ve been in seven Theatre TCU productions and will be heading to New York City after graduation to pursue a career on Broadway.”
Q: Explain the feeling you get when you’re on stage.
A: “Being on stage is like no other. For me, it is when I get to use my God-given gifts to impact other people and communicate important messages. Each song you sing is a story with some lesson to teach…even the funny ones! Music and singing are a universal language and being able to do what I love to entertain other people is a wonderful feeling.”
Q: What are your future goals and how do you plan on accomplishing them?
A: “The next thing on my bucket list is to be on Broadway. I just got back from showcasing for agents and casting directors in NYC over spring break and am excited about feedback received. I plan to move up there this fall and start auditioning like a mad man.”
Q: Where do you feel most alive?
A: “Honestly, I feel most alive when I am serving others. Sounds like a typical ‘beauty queen’ answer, but I mean it 100%. Whether that means speaking in front of hundreds of teenage girls about self-esteem or singing Frozen songs to screaming five year olds, there is nothing more fulfilling than using the gifts you have been given to bring joy and love to others. I made over 306 appearances as Miss Missouri, and every single one of those changed me but made me feel more alive than ever.”
Q: Who is your role model? Who do you aspire to be?
A: “Jennifer Hudson. She defied American Idol when they told her she wasn’t good enough, was a star in Dreamgirls, promotes a healthy lifestyle, is fierce, and gives back to children less fortunate. She epitomizes what it means to be a woman of service and working for others.”
Q: Which decade do you think you would have belonged in?
A: “I think I would’ve belonged in the 20’s. One, I would love to rock a bob. Two, everything just seemed more romantic and more simple then. I’m a sap, so maybe the idea of pinstriped suits and flapper dresses makes that era attractive!”
Q: What is your favorite song to sing? What is your favorite song to listen to?
A: “I love to sing anything from Wicked. Being in that show is on my bucket list, and I love the music Stephen Schwartz composed. “Defying Gravity” was my talent selection at Miss America and kind of the theme of my goals…might as well try to defy the odds of whatever it is you are going for and make it happen! I love listening to John Legend. His talent and songs are incredible and wonderful to listen to.”
Photo Sources: Tara McQueen