Jennifer Jeanelle Russell

While owning and running my theatre company, Stand Out Talent, my favorite thing was to "find the special" in performers and showcase it in a way to helps the performer grow while allowing our production to become extra special for performers and audiences alike. Believing in Open Minded Casting allowed for all abled and differently-abled performers to have a safe place to do what they love...perform and bring joy to others. I created and ran Stand Out Talent, a Non Profit company (501c3), for 8 years, in Roseville, CA, Tower Theatre. As the Artistic and Resident Director, I had the opportunity to create multiple Musical Theatre Productions and work with hundreds of people, ages 4 through Golden Senior. I oversaw the day to day, while producing, casting, directing, choreographing, costuming, set designing, light design, props design and Program and Poster design each of our productions. In 2016 and 2018 we averaged a show a month. Our ages ranged from 4 through seasoned Seniors. Our most popular shows were our Community Shows, where all ages were cast, age appropriately; they were popular with our participants as well as our audiences, and we had full families participating in the shows. The reality of running a Community Theatre is that a great deal of the time idealistic casting is not an option. My strength was building shows around the people I cast. And that meant I got the opportunity to find the things that made each cast member special and played to their strengths. Not only did that give the individual a sense of worth but the end result was rewarding to me personally, and made every show I produced something unique and special. I created and directed our 4-6 week summer program which served 200-400 children a summer. The children signed up for a week at a time and they came in on Monday and were performing by Saturday, fully memorized, with costumes, lighting, projections, props, choreography and songs. The program was very well received by all of the participating families and the community and we had Sold Out Saturday Summer Shows. All of these experiences, plus working as a successful Talent Agent with Johnson Talent Agency for 2 1/2 years, have given me a unique perspective for recognizing and developing Talent that 'works'. Even though I'm a huge Disney fan and was raised Wishing Upon Stars...I know, all too well that "Dreams don't work unless you do'" (John C Maxwell). I'm real, straightforward and honest, sometimes to a fault; But I strongly believe that is what makes me effective for others. Working Talent Management is a hands-on, full service company. Talent will have a clear perspective on their career path and regular communication with their representative. **as a manager, I cannot teach clients...so I do not. If I'm guiding and helping my clients, it's for the betterment of their career and no money is exchanged. I look forward to sharing my strengths with you!