Elissa Russell (she/her) has worked as a teaching artist, director, and theatre administrator for over a decade. Prior to joining San Diego Junior Theatre as Education Director, she spent three years teaching, directing and expanding outreach programming with Theatre Aspen Education in Colorado. Elissa has also worked as a teaching artist and administrator at Midland Community Theatre (where she was once a student!), Austin’s ZACH Theatre, and Virginia Repertory Theatre. She holds a degree from the University of Texas at Austin with a specialization in Shakespeare, and formerly reviewed theatre for the Austin Chronicle. Theatre has always been an essential part of Elissa’s life, and she is grateful to share her passion with the students of San Diego! She recently co-directed Season 75’s production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical and will be directing Season 76’s production of Diary of a Wimpy Kid.