About
Brief Bio:
Paula Russell recently moved to Austin after several guest-teaching visits and directing the successful, full-length original play, “Shards” in the new Long Center Rollins Theatre.
As a member of Actors Equity Association, SAG, and AFTRA for 30 years, Paula acted in theatre, film and television and directed critically well-received theater in Los Angeles at The Cast, The Ensemble Studio Theatre, Actors Playhouse and independent venues. She interned by invitation as director-in-training on “Taxi,” “Cheers,” “WKRP” and Newhart” under James Brooks, James Burroughs, Will McKenzie, Joan Darling and others.
Paula has been teaching and directing non-stop for 28 years, offering workshop intensives, classes, private and production coaching for both professionals and community groups. She taught acting and directing professionally for 15 years in association with Directors Guild and Emmy Award-winner, Joan Darling.
Paula created and taught weekend Actor/Director Intensive Seminars titled “You Can Never Get It Neat” at UCSB Extension, Monterey City College, Orcas Center Theater, Actors Theatre of Orcas Island, Alleywood Studios, Austin, Old Pueblo Players, Tucson, and private venues in Santa Barbara, Tucson, Austin and L.A.
She created and taught acting & on-camera commercial classes at SAG franchised La Belle Agency in Santa Barbara for 3 years, ongoing weekly class for Orcas Center Theatre, annual Six-Week Scene Performance Workshop at Actors Theatre (in 5th year), Directing and acting intensives for Orcas Theatre Conservatory, and Theatre at Orcas High School.
She taught Conflict Resolution Through Theatre Games at elementary schools, grades 3-6, and to faculties; a highly successful program throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.
Paula facilitated the training of law enforcement officers in domestic dispute mediation through filmed improvisation for the Burbank, California Police Department. She has coached political candidates, diplomats, mayors, lawyers & public speakers.
Paula’s most recent professional work as an actor includes three SAG commercials in 2006-7, the title role in “Always, Patsy Cline” under an Equity contract and a special appearance in The Vagina Monologues.
Attended San Francisco State University, College of Marin, LACC, The American National Theatre and Academy. Additional training includes David Craig’s Musical Theater (for professionals only by recommendation), Off the Wall Improvisation Co., Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum Shakespeare Company, Sherman Marks Master Class, Joan Darling Master class and more.
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Paula has been on stage or back-stage since the age of two. She studied acting with Paul Rebillot, at San Francisco State University, where she had her own radio show, and at The College of Marin before moving to Los Angeles. Her first mentor/teacher there was the late, great Francis Lederer who trained with Eva Le Gallienne and founded the American National Theatre and Academy.
For several years, Paula studied and did plays with Stella Adler and Sandy Meisner teacher, Mary Carver from whom she learned a solid working craft. She was accepted into Sherman Mark’s advanced scene-work master class. Other influences include working-out at Off-the-Wall improvisation group, several years performing Shakespeare at Ellen & Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, working on Tennessee Williams with Brando’s “Streetcar Named Desire” understudy, actor/coach, Clark Gordon and acting under the direction of his wife, Eve McVeagh, voice with Robert Edwards, Tae Kwon Do with Jun Chong, and Alexander Technique with Pam Hartman.
The fierce, brilliant musical performance teacher, David Craig’s unparalleled work with precision, focus, timing and back-story still influences Paula’s work as a teacher, director, actor and singer.
Commercial workshops with the wonderful Carolyne Barry still influence Paula’s teaching, especially in camera and cold-reading/audition technique.
Whether one has years of experience or is a novice, there is an astonishing gift that Joan Darling offered to artists through a unique combination of deep and playful exercises, analysis, sensory work and philosophy. It is Paula’s privilege to pass this gift on to those who seek a joyful place of disciplined, passionate purpose in which to work, experiment and grow.
For a direct link re Paula’s next Weekend Intensive see: Austin Circle of Theatres
