Three months after graduating from Rider, on his 22nd birthday, Russell learned he was cast in Jersey Boys.
Why Russell chose Rider’s Westminster Choir College
Bitten by the theater bug at age three after seeing The Sound of Music, Russell came to campus as an experienced young performer with plans of building the skills set and stamina for continuing a career on stage. “Many of my teachers in high school attended Rider and Westminster Choir College, including my choral director and voice teacher,” says Russell. “As a student in the Governor’s School of the Arts, I met Miriam Mills from Rider’s theatre faculty. The qualities of these educators all influenced my decision to attend Rider.”
At Rider, I was constantly reminded of how joyful and gratifying the creative process is.
Currently on Broadway in "Jersey Boys"
Rider's impact on Russell's career
“I was performing with Westminster at the Spoleto Festival when the auditions for Jersey Boys were held, so I submitted my résumé and head shot with nothing to lose and much to gain,” recalls Russell. “I was called in for an audition, though — and three months after graduating, I learned I was cast on Broadway.”
Russell is now in his fifth season with Jersey Boys as “Joey” and an understudy for the role Frankie Valli.
“I knew that if I wanted a long-term career as a performer, I needed to learn how to protect and use my voice properly. That’s something Westminster excels at doing for its students,” notes Russell. “They really understand the physical and musical demands placed upon music theatre professionals. I realized the skills of good musicianship are the standard for those who wish to be considered seriously in this competitive industry. The goal is to seize every opportunity to work on yourself and what makes you an artist. At Rider, I was constantly reminded of how joyful and gratifying the creative process is.”