Jefferson A. Russell

Jefferson A. Russell is an actor, community organizer and educator based in Baltimore where has been associated with Everyman Theatre since 1998. Since 2019, he has been an Everyman Resident Company Member, appearing in 17 productions, including THE PIANO LESSON, GEM OF THE OCEAN, THE LION IN WINTER, BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY, SENSE AND SENSITIVITY, HEDDA GABLER, SOMEONE WHO’LL WATCH OVER ME, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM and THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH (notably, as the first African-American George Antrobus) among others notable productions. Regional credits include: Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park: A CHRISTMAS CAROL (since 2023), TWO TRAINS RUNNING, JITNEY, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE; Milwaukee Rep: TWO TRAINS RUNNING; Marin Theatre Company: THE CONVERT, FETCH CLAY MAKE MAN; Baltimore Center Stage: AKEELAH AND THE BEE, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE; African Continuum Theatre Company: A RAISIN IN THE SUN, HECUBA; Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company: CLYBOURNE PARK; Goodman Theatre/Dallas Theatre Center: THE TRINITY RIVER PLAYS; Shakespeare Theatre Company: CYRANO, TAMBURLAINE, EDWARD II; Folger Shakespeare Theatre: AS YOU LIKE IT, THE TEMPEST; American Stage Theatre: FAT HAM. TV: HBO’s THE WIRE, NBC’s HOMICIDE: Life on the Streets.

 

Education: Hampton University, BA (Sociology/Criminal Justice); Shakespeare Theatre Company and George Washington University’s Academy of Classical Acting, MFA. While at Hampton University he was very active with the Hampton Players where he performed and worked backstage on several university productions. Jefferson has been an adjunct professor at Bowie State University and Towson University, a guest lecturer/artist at
University of Maryland (Baltimore County and College Park), Coppin State University, Towson University and Morgan State University, conducted workshops and coached at Everyman Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse, Arena Players.

 

Jefferson’s other work experience includes as a police officer with Baltimore City Police Department (1988 – 1992) and as a juvenile counselor/probation officer with Maryland State Department of Juvenile Services (1993 – 1997); all while gaining further theatre experience performing with Arena Players in Baltimore.

 

Jefferson credits his parents, Dr. William B. Russell and Alice Russell, for instilling in him a sense of community and service. After graduating from Hampton University, he returned to Baltimore, became a Baltimore City Police Officer and, having been bitten by the Theatrical “bug” while at Hampton, immediately auditioned with Arena Players Inc., the nation’s oldest continuously operating African American community theatre, and began his long association there where he appeared in several productions including FLYIN WEST, THE
MEETING, CRY THE BELOVED COUNTRY and BEFORE IT HITS HOME. While at Arena Players, Jefferson met his longtime mentors Donald Russell Owens and Amini Courts, both of whom saw something in him early on and graciously helped develop and nurture his craft. It had been through his work with Arena Players and eventually his work with his other mentor, longtime African Continuum Theatre Company Artistic Director and former Living Stage company member Jennifer L. Nelson (and as a police officer) that Jefferson further
cultivated his work in the community.

 

In 2005, he, along with five of his closest theatre colleague-friends, organized Galvanize, a network for Artists of Color. Through Galvanize, he has helped organize and coordinate workshops, master classes and facilitated panels on No Fear Shakespeare with Caleen Jennings, Developing Character with Jennifer L. Nelson, monologue work with Eugene Lee and Mental wellness for Performers of Color in Theatre among other topics.

 

Having grown up playing team sports, Jefferson thrives on the collaborative spirit of Theatre and is a tireless supporter and advocate with and for others, especially newer, rising artists. It is with this spirit that Jefferson continues to learn from his craft and seeks to further highlight and share stories of the human condition which hold a crucial mirror up to our humanity.