Pat Russell

Pat Russell is a theater artist whose talents have anchored many collaborative creations both here and abroad, with ensembles such as the Living Theater and the Irondale Ensemble Project. She has performed and facilitated workshops at world-renowned theatre festivals in Europe, Eastern Europe, South America and China as well as creating community based theater here in NYC where she has co-directed and performed with numerous and diverse populations including the bi-annual street theater events of Earth Celebrations. A favorite community based workshop, “A Day in the Life of the City” is a weeklong series resulting in street performances of a unique play created by the participants. Bringing the arts into NYC schools since the 80s, she helped design and implement a theater games pilot program in Brooklyn High Schools for students at risk for which a teacher training pilot program followed. Her residencies have served libraries, family shelters, a wide range of community needs and over 50 schools.

She is certified by the Teaching Artist Training Institute (TATI), a professional development program which reflects best practices in arts education with a concentration in teaching students with autism (Marquis Studios); Special Education Arts Academy (SEAA), a two year professional development training and mentored practicum for teaching artists who work with “special-needs” students (Arts Horizons); and, the “Literature to Life” Teaching Artist Training program (The American Place Theatre). With Manhattan New Music Project she has served as a Professional Development Facilitator for both Communication and Socialization Through the Arts (CASTA) and Everyday Arts for Special Education (EASE). As a Variety Performer and Face Painter she has entertained children of all ages and adults at special events for corporations, museums, tradeshows, product introductions, retail stores, country clubs and private family celebrations. Pat earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting at the North Carolina School of the Arts.