Biography

Elissa Russell

Elissa Russell (she/her) is a theatre educator, director, and arts administrator with over fifteen years of experience. Elissa has served as Director of Education at San Diego Junior Theatre since 2021, where she oversees educational programming.  Prior to relocating to Southern California, she spent three years with Theatre Aspen in Colorado, where she taught, directed, and expanded outreach initiatives. Her previous work also includes roles as a teaching artist and administrator with Midland Community Theatre (where she was once a student!), Austin’s ZACH Theatre, and Virginia Repertory Theatre. Elissa holds a degree from the University of Texas at Austin with a specialization in Shakespeare and previously reviewed theatre for the Austin Chronicle. Across her work, she is passionate about expanding access to the arts and cultivating spaces where young people can explore their voices, take creative risks, and use theatre as a tool for social change. Elissa co-directed Season 75’s production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical, directed Season 76’s production of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Season 77’s production of James and the Giant Peachand Season 78’s production of Annie.

James and the Giant Peach

Directed by Elissa Russell
Music Direction by Kailee Ash-Ray
Choreography by Grace Asaro

Words and Music by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Book by Timothy Allen McDonald
Based on the book James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl

When James is sent by his conniving aunts to chop down their old fruit tree, he discovers a magic potion that results in a tremendous peach... and launches a journey of enormous proportions. Suddenly, James finds himself in the center of the gigantic peach, among human-sized insects with equally oversized personalities. After it falls from the tree and rolls into the ocean, the group faces hunger, sharks and plenty of disagreements. Thanks to James' quick wit and creative thinking, the peach residents learn to live and work together as a family. The dangerous voyage is a success, but the adventure takes a whole new twist once they land on the Empire State Building.

Trash Panda-monium

Production by Blindspot Collective
Co-Directed by Desha Crownover and Marc Caro-Willcox
Written by Shellina Hefner and Elissa Russell

Audiences of all ages are greeted by a friendly forest ranger who places a campsite under their care and supervision. When three clever raccoons arrive to explore the mysterious objects left behind, young audiences must consider how to balance friendship and collaboration - imagining playful games and scenarios through the lens of sustainability. Scout, Bandit, and Ringo use their imagination to turn trash into treasure, encouraging youngsters to participate in a stormy game of pretend, sharing their own methods of communication, and solving problems. When the fun and games cause a mess, audiences and trash pandas alike must untangle important lessons about sustainability, working together, and keeping all of our natural habitats clean and safe.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Musical

Directed by Elissa Russell
Assistant Directed by Gina Barba
Music Direction by Eliza Vedar
Choreography by Ricardo Valenzuela

Book by Kevin del Aguila
Music and Lyrics by Michael Mahler and Alan Schmuckler
Based on the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” Book Series
by Jeff Kinney and the 20th Century Fox Films

Middle school, ugh. It’s the worst. Greg is determined not to be at the bottom of the popularity chart. He’ll leave that to his weird neighbor, Fregley. Or maybe Greg’s best friend, Rowley Jefferson. But it’s not going to be Greg…no way. Will Greg’s plans lead him to sacrifice his one true friend? Can anyone avoid the dreaded Cheese Touch? Grab a hall pass and don’t be late for an adventure familiar to anyone who actually survived middle school.