rticipate in a week-long workshop at The Alabama Shakespeare Festival. While there, Russell participated in acting and costume-making workshops, and rehearsals, which at the end of the week, led to a final performance of Shakespeare's THE TAMING OF THE SHREW where he played the role of "Baptista". After leaving Vaughn Road, Russell moved on to Floyd Middle Magnet where he played the alto sax in the school band from 2006-2008, and afterwards, rejoined the choral music scene during his 9th grade year at McKee Junior High. Russell began to develop a passion for Theatre Arts during his years at Booker T. Washington Magnet High School (BTW), where he studied Musical Theatre Performance from 2009-2012. While at BTW, Russell was introduced to the Trumbauer and Thespian Festivals. It was through Trumbauer that Russell was recruited to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), where he began his undergraduate studies in Theatre Arts. During his time at UAB, Russell was a part of numerous main stage productions, stage readings, and showcases. He was also an active member of UAB Theatre's touring companies where he served as a member of their Disney Cabaret Tour (2013-2014), Beatles Cabaret Tour (2014-2015), and Shakespeare Tour (2015-2017). Aside from his many productions with UAB, Russell has worked with both professional & summer-stock theatre companies such as Robin Givens' RSG & Company's 2014 touring production of JOY IN THE MORNING; Red Mountain Theatre Company, of Birmingham's 2015 production of THE WIZ and MEMPHIS (2018); and The Huron Playhouse, of Huron, Ohio's summer-stock production of A CHORUS LINE. In February of 2016, Russell was nationally awarded "Best Actor in a Main stage Production" for his work in Aaron Posner's STUPID FU***NG BIRD as Con. As a result of this award, Russell was invited to attend and work as an acting fellow in The John F. Kennedy Center's Annual Playwright's Workshop in July 2016. After graduating, Russell relocated to Lawrenceville, GA in 2017. There he completed a year-long apprenticeship with the Aurora Theatre where he continued his education and training in theatre arts, gained practical experience in the Atlanta theatre industry, and started to network with numerous artists and creators in the state. At the conclusion of the apprenticeship program, Russell continued to work in professionally in Georgia at the Aurora Theatre (MAMA MIA!, NEWSIES, RIPCORD, CHILDREN OF EDEN), The Lyric Theatre (THE ADDAMS FAMILY), and the Jennie T Anderson Theatre (THE WILD PARTY). In 2018 Russell signed with People Store Talent Agency and started his career in Print Modeling, Commercial, TV, and Film working on projects with Delta Airlines, Comedy Central, Netflix, and Disney Plus. A year later, Russell joined the seas and was a part of the entertainment cast on the Celebrity Summit. While on Summit, Russell performed in mainstage shows like SOUNDTRACK, LIFE, BROADWAY CABARET, CHANDELIER, MOTOWN and REIGNING ROCKS. Since leaving Summit in 2020, Russell continued to lend his voice to the seas touring with a New York City headliner pop group, NYC3 as a vocalist. Today, Russell continues maintain an acting career in Atlanta and a musical career in the cruise industry with his new show 24K MAGIC: A Tribute to Bruno Mars expected to launch in 2023. He credits God, his loving family, & his amazing friends and loved ones for his success thus far!
