Author: Paul Russell

More Answers For Actors:

Positive Baggage Transformation Stories: Share Your Experience

Learn how to shed personal and professional baggage in a positive way. Watch a colorful animation set to Ah-ha’s TAKE ON ME for inspiration on letting go of negativity.

Everyone has baggage – personal and professional — that needs tossing. My baggage circa 2019 – 2023, was a cascade of monumental personal loses I allowed to pile high on my life-train’s journey.

I NEARLY WON TRAGEDY POKER:

You don’t want to win Tragedy Poker. To win is to wallow in your tragedies. Folding the hand you’re dealt = finding solutions to stand again.

At the start of COVID-Lockdown I lost my best friend for life, a parent, my home, my fur-footed family, and many fair-weathered friends. Tragedy Poker isn’t blameless unless you, the lone hand, play victim. I almost played that annoying role. I spiraled as rumors swirled regarding fictional and fantastiscal skeletons in my closet. I destest gossip, and the creatures for whom bounderies don’t exist. That’s when I b*tched-slapped myself, and detractors with transparency. No longer would I carrying baggage mine (or that of enablers who gossip).

TRANSFORMATION – Mine.

I began shredding and transforming mistruths (and truths) into positive works. This was my personal threapy, and return to life. That’s how the following video came to be. I share here with you a positive transformation of negative baggage. A creation of a colorful animation from my imagination joyfully set to Ah-ha’s TAKE ON ME.

After viewing the video, post your baggage transformation stories in the comments section below. Besos, Paul

ABOUT PAUL RUSSELL – PAUL RUSSELL CASTING

Paul Russell is a highly accomplished figure in the entertainment industry, known for his multifaceted career as a casting director, director, and author. His book, ACTING: Make It Your Business, offers valuable insights for actors seeking to navigate the complexities of the industry and find success. With experience casting for prestigious entities like 20th Century Fox, HBO, Broadway as well as directing New York and regional theater, Paul brings a wealth of knowledge to his actors. His recognition in American Theatre Magazine and work at the Tony-award recognized Barter Theatre further attest to his expertise. Additionally, Paul’s commitment to education through teaching master classes at university BFA and MFA programs, and online coaching for actors worldwide, highlights his dedication to nurturing talent. His journey from a successful working actor to an influential mentor and industry professional is truly inspiring.

For daily tips and insights from Paul Russell, follow him on Instagram.

Regional Theatre & What You Don’t Know About the Constant Success of Barter Theatre – Conversation with Richard Rose

“We learn more from our failures than we actually do from our success.”

Richard Rose, Producing Artistic Director – Barter Theatre (1992 – 2019)

Richard Rose has the keenest, candid, insights on American regional theatre past, present, and future. Anyone who’s been in “Rick’s” company soon discovers Rose intuitively knows them a bit more honestly than they may themselves. His awareness, a key attribute to Rose’s prior tenure as the second-longest, producing artistic director for the Barter Theatre. The State Theatre of Virginia, Barter is the longest-running, professional, Equity theatre in the United States. Barter is also the first regional theater to receive a TONY.  

Rose led the Barter to unprecedented growth in attendance, and expansion of programs serving the U.S. southeast and beyond in culture, education, economic development, and community building. In this video interview with CreativeMindset.org founder Tony Angelini, Rose explains Barter’s constant success.

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ABOUT PAUL RUSSELL – PAUL RUSSELL CASTING

Paul Russell is as an award-winning casting director, director and the author of NEW & EXPANDED edition of ACTING: Make It Your Business – How to Avoid Mistakes and Achieve Success as a WOrking Actor. He’s cast for 20th Century Fox, HBO, Broadway, and regional theater. Featured in American Theatre Magazine, Paul has directed premiers, and at the Tony-award recognized Barter Theatre. He teaches master classes at university BFA and MFA actor training programs, and privately online with actors globally. Paul began his career in entertainment as a successful working actor. PaulRussell.net