Ric White

Since the age eleven, Ric has acted in numerous films, shorts, commercials and videos. In his twenties, he turned his attention to writing and directing for film, starting with a documentary entitled "Overcoming Grief" and the short film "Choices" for the Jason Foundation (a teen-age suicide prevention group), distributed throughout the world. He then wrote and directed the feature comedy "Heaven Admittance", the popular suspense thriller "The Bell Witch Haunting" and the thriller drama "Nightmares from the Mind of Poe" which includes four of Edgar Allan Poe's stories. Before evolving to film as a director, writer and producer for Willing Hearts Productions, Ric began his career in the theater by studying acting, music and film at the University Of Maryland (Europe), Belmont University and Tennessee State University; as well as, countess private and group classes and seminars. Ric has been acting since age eleven and over the years he has performed with numerous theater groups. He has been in over fifty productions including the leads in such shows as "Becket", "Glass Menagerie", "Good Doctor", "Boys Next Door" and "Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde". He has performed at countless functions acting in various shows, including several one-man shows. He has written countless scenes, skits and ten produced plays including "Where's The Love?" performed at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center; and the one-man shows "The Disciple" and "An Evening With Poe" performed throughout the Southeast US. He has directed over forty play productions; and has produced over sixty. He has served as the Artistic Director of the Tennessee Theater Company since 1998. Through the years, Ric has also been lead singer of several bands, playing a variety of music from country, blues, R&B, oldies and Top 40 rock. This has given him the opportunity to utilize a variety of vocal styles; this variety blended over to his songwriting, creating Ric's unique country sound. That year the CD "Someday, Someway" with all songs written by Ric, was voted best independent album in the Scene's readers poll. Ric also placed third in the poll (behind Vince Gill and Garth Brooks) as best male artist; and third (behind Vince Gill and Pat Green) as best songwriter. Ric spent years touring and performing with different bands throughout the southern US and Europe performing covers and original music. Ric's vast experience in theater and the performing arts helps him in creating his energetic shows, exciting crowds with his abilities as a performer. These abilities have been a long time in the making, beginning at five years old when Ric would entertain family and friends by doing his hip shaking Elvis impersonation. His love of entertaining took him to the theatrical stage as a student winning numerous forensic and acting awards; through college performances and production work; to touring, singing and songwriting as an independent music artist and filmmaker. Ric has always strived to challenge himself, touch the hearts his audience and inspire those around him.