| |
What's Up With Russell G. |
Building, for community and connection.
Greetings Good People!
I hope this finds you and yours as well as can be.
From voice work, to staged readings and independent films and audition coaching, I have been experiencing a season of bounty!
For a good 15 or so years of my career as an actor in NYC I have tried to say yes to as many opportunities as possible. Now, after 30+ years here and as a Taurus I am doing less chasing but I've been keeping busy. And I am counting that as a good development. |
|
|
|
One exciting offer has been to direct Keith's exciting solo play The Heat Will Kill Everything. After several sharings here in NYC we accepted a generous offer from Edris for a 29-hour workshop via her company Black Arts Contemporary Cultural Experience, (BACCE) residency at the historic Brava Theater Center in San Fancisco's Mission District. Because the folx at Brava were so supportive and about that life, we were able to mount a successful production. Thank you Lottie, Saoirse, Theresa, Jojo, Golda and Ben!
As luck would have it, the fine actor the piece was intended for became unavailable so I stepped in as the actor and Keith stepped in as the director. We get to mount this again in New York; our next iteration will be at the National Black Theatre, in early November! I will share more details as we get closer to the event!
|
|
l to r, writer/ co-director Keith Josef Adkins, producer and artistic director Edris Cooper-Anifowoshe, lighting designer and stage manager Jennyb and actor/co-director russell g. jones |
|
l to r Jermaine Fowler, Russell G & Keegan-Michael Key off-camera |
|
|
Dr. Grover Stanley is in the building! |
HULU drops the first three episodes of Only Murders In The Building Season 5, on Tuesday 9/9. The character I originated, should start showing up in episode 3. |
|
|
(l t r Christina Acosta Robinson & Russell G. photo by Joan Marcus) |
|
|
Connecticut Critics Circle Nomination for Best Featured Actor |
At the top of the year, I was featured in Eden by Steve Carter. Our production for Yale Rep was directed by the immensely kind and talented Brandon Dirden. The Connecticut Critics Circle nominated me for Best Featured Actor in a Play! Everyone on this production was exceptional...the cast, the SM, every designer, everyone. Brandon J. Dirden brilliantly directed it, and I had a joyful time playing opposite the supremely talented Christina Acosta Robinson, both of whom were also nominated this year! I appreciated this review in the New Haven Register as well. |
|
|
|
|
GRASS by Brandon Jacob Jenkins workshop @ Park Avenue Armory background l to r Director Sarah Benson, Actor Frank Wood, Russell G., Stephanie Berry, Designer Mimi Lien, Keren Lugo, Ronald Peet, Zoe Winter and Brandon Jacob Jenkins; Foreground Stage Manager Amanda Spooner |
Voices of A People's History of the United States Narrators @ Prospect Park for BRIC's Celebrate Brooklyn, Juneteenth Program l to r Alexis Floyd, Harron Alexander and Russell G. |
Vigorish by Allan Staples, directed by Pam Berlin l to r Actor Jasper Newell, Marlon Quijije, Writer Allan Staples, Zoë Laiz, Russell G., Stephen Dexter, Jonathan Silver, Director Pam Berlin |
Maria Bauman praying and conjuring over a portal in the Earth at Snug Harbor |
I love a good artist/activist! Artists who have obvious discipline in their craft and do it with an astute socio-political lens really pull me into their worldview. Maria Bauman is such an artist, and the piece she is premiering this month, two years plus in the making, has created a community into which we are invited. We met through an antiracist artist and cultural workers collective she co-founded with Sarita Covington and Nathan Trice called ACRE, Artists Co-creating Real Equity. Members of the group have all taken the The People's Institute For Survival And Beyond, Undoing Racism workshop and endeavor to use its principles as artists. I've seen firsthand Maria's efforts to hold space and supercharge it with intention in her teaching at SUNY Purchase and The Ailey School, solidifying me as a sometimes awestruck and always very proud partner. If you come to Snug Harbor to see this show, I'm sure you'll feel me! Click HERE to watch a four-minute teaser about the work!
These are the bodies that have not borne. premieres August 23-24, 2025 | 6:00pm
Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden
1000 Richmond Terr. Staten Island, NY 10301
PAY-WHAT-YOU-WISH with RSVP |
I am happy to share a new song by Simon Kashama! Simon and I met in 2009 working on the original production of Lynn Nottage's first Pulitzer Prize winner, Ruined, co-produced by The Goodman and MTC. Congolese born and loving Simon, was one of the on stage musicians and a main resource for my understanding of the people in the play. Back then he produced a ditty called Yambi, Yambi about his people. With this new song GOING HOME, he gives us a taste of the feelings he has as a person who left the war torn area decades ago. Look forward to his upcoming single Coltan In The Congo on his youtube channel. Click the image below to take in the video and drop a like or a comment if you are so moved!
pictured above Simon Kashama & Russell G in 2025 |
Join Me in Supporting Developing Artists |
DA Board & Advisory Members: Julian Elijah Martinez, Heather Corbett & Russell G.
As you probably know, I love Developing Artists! I respect their work for young people and have offered my support for over 20 years. If you have a young artist in your life and want to expose them to ensemble-based, self-generated art, look no further. Click HERE to help them meet this year's funding goals.
Developing Artists is currently offering MAKE ART WITH led by another awesome
AUGUST 13 & 14 - 7PM
@ THE 14TH Street Y Theater
344 E 14th St, New York, NY 10003
Click below to check out the work and see what I'm fussing about |
Did you know I offer audition coaching? It's my pleasure to offer my experience and expertise in working onstage and in front of the camera to enthusiastic folks. I work with an awesome team at HMS/Heidi Marshall Studio. They just shared this feedback from a recent coaching client.
"My trip to NYC started with an incredible coaching session with Russell G. Jones - he is AMAZING and KIND and was so helpful in every way - but most of all he helped me discover the courage to conquer my fears of the in-the-room audition!" -Laine |
Thank you for your attention, <<First Name>>. Continued success to us all! |
|
1793 Riverside Drive
New York, NY 10034
USA |
|
|
|
|
|
