Mary Ruth (M.R.) Ralston is an actor, stage combatant, and musician based in Atlanta, GA.
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M.R. is a gender-fluid performer (open pronouns) whose artistic heart lies in creating vibrant, complex, emotionally real characters built on the scaffolding of the script and the collaborative world-building of the cast and crew. They excel at bringing even dense text to life clearly and vividly and delight in being part of a brave, passionate ensemble.
M.R. is proficient in unarmed and armed combat for stage and screen.
They also sing (mezzo soprano) and play violin.
“When an actor turns in a great performance, it’s special. Ralston’s work is on another level, reliably delivering great performances every time.”
Benji Carr, ArtsATL: Review for Hamlet
Current and Upcoming Projects
Resume and Reels
Acting Resume
Small sword, ft. Rachel Frawley
Violin
Singing
Awards and Reviews
Suzi Bass Awards 2024 Nominee: Outstanding Lead Actor- Play for Dracula: the Failings of Men
“…With Mary Ruth Ralston (they/them) delivering a powerhouse performance full of verve, zaniness and humanity as the titular character, the show is a must-see this season. The play keeps you on the edge of your seat, with Ralston’s clear enthusiasm for the role elevating the game for everyone else involved, onstage and off.”
-Benjamin Carr, AJC on Hamlet
“Ralston, a mainstay on the Shakespeare Tavern stage, is an epic Dr. Van Helsing, with a resolute stoicism flashed by mirth and an absolutely murderous talent for sword fight.”
-Rachel Garbus, ArtsATL on Dracula, the Failings of Men
“As Antonio, Ralston is quite good. She is a very physical performer, and her face is incredibly expressive. The character’s anti-Semitism is disgusting, yet Ralston gives her Antonio an entitled arrogance toward Levin’s Shylock. This communicates well, for Antonio was seen as right when the script was written. But now, times have changed. Ralston’s take is layered and complicated.”
-Benjamin Carr, ArtsATL on The Merchant of Venice
“Mary Ruth Ralston is an intriguing Jaques, making the character more of a bleeding heart who can’t stop from crying at the melancholy of the world, rather than the more traditional portrayal of a wry and pessimistic bystander. This choice does lend empathy to the famous “All the world’s a stage” monologue, in which Ralston is eventually reduced to tears at the thought of man’s decline into old age.”
-Luke Evans, ArtsATL on As You Like It