Director OP Forward Programming at The Orchard Project

I’m beyond excited to join the amazing Orchard Project team as the co-creator and director of OP Forward Programming. A brand new program which focuses on the future of our artists' projects, visions and careers. OP Forward works to reimagine and reframe our resources in order to form innovative collaborations between industries and expand the potential for further growth of new work in theatre, audio and TV storytelling..

For more information on OP Forward and specific programming please contact lana@orchardproject.com

ToGather Today

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What happens when a group of artistic producers and directors examine where they can best be of service to their community during a global pandemic? An exciting virtual event company is born. As a co-founder and leading Community Engagement and Marketing, I couldn’t be more excited to share that we are up and running, doubling clients by the month. Here is some ABOUT US information, for more here is the link to the website.

About ToGather Today

ToGather Today is a virtual life events company. We take care of logistics and tech so that you can focus on life's most important moments.

Founded by a group of educators, theater producers and directors, tech and design experts, and organizers with decades of event planning and management experience between us, ToGather Today was established in 2020 in response to the pandemic and our universal need to gather.

We work with you to create a seamlessly interactive, connected, intimate online experience that prioritizes your vision and takes care of your guests.

We can guide your event or service from start to finish, with our experienced emcees, officiants, celebrants, and religious leaders – or we can simply take on the “backstage” role of managing your logistical, technical, and online security needs, so you can turn your attention to your family, friends, and community.

Our goal is to support you. Whether you are celebrating love, commemorating a milestone, or remembering a loved one, we will work with you every step of the way to craft an experience that allows you to be present and in the moment.

Associate Director on BLISS, a world premiere musical at The Fifth Avenue Theater

This winter, I was thrilled to serve as the associate director on a new musical that I have been a part of the development of for almost three years have a NYC rehearsal process and out of town commercial try-out at The Fifth Avenue Theater in Seattle.

BLISS by Emma Lively and Tyler Beattie, directed by Sheryl Kaller and choreographed by Josh Prince.

Princesses, fairy godfathers, and a royal ball that would knock anyone’s glass slippers off? Check. A story you know? Not even close! BLISS is an electrifying new musical about four royal sisters — a warrior, a pop diva, an animal whisperer, and a science whiz — determined to take charge of their own futures. Brilliant, unique, and blessed with killer voices, these sisters set out in search of their destinies…only to find that “happily ever after” is theirs to decide. See what’s possible when you leave behind the fairy tale and discover your BLISS.

Seattle Times Review here.

Stay tuned for future information and productions!

Assistant Director on Macbeth at Cal Shakes

Early Fall I had the pleasure of serving as the assistant director to Victor Malana Maog on MACBETH at California Shakespeare Theatre. Listen to our exciting journey in my interview below which includes my experience of running tech when a surprise birth came Victor’s way.


In this episode of Asides, Creative Content Manager Alicia Coombes talks with director, producer, and teaching artist Lana Russell, who assistant directed our production of Macbeth. Hear her thoughts on the production and the challenges and victories of staging theater amongst forces of nature both big and very, very small.


New York Stage and Film

Lana will be starting as the Artistic Associate at New York Stage and Film for the 2019 Powerhouse Season.

More info here.

Guest Director at Gettysburg College

In January and February, I have the pleasure of being a guest director and teaching a seminar class at Gettysburg College.

ANTLIA PNUEMATICA by Anne Washburn

featuring the amazing Gettysburg College undergrads

February 21-25th at The Kline Theater

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BLISS-WORKSHOP-OCTOBER 2018

Associate Director on the new musical: Bliss by Emma Lively and Tyler Beattie directed by Sheryl Kaller is an INCREDIBLE piece in development. We just did a four week workshop at New 42. If I could play the recordings and blast the pictures I would but until then just know at an empowering, funny, catchy as all hell musical subverting the idea of what it means to be a “princess” or a woman in society is coming to a theater new you.

Assistant director: WAR OF THE ROSES at Cal Shakes

So excited to be returning back to the home state to work on this four hour epic adaptation of Henry Vi Part one, two, three and Richard III which completes the full history cycle of the War of the Roses with the brilliant Eric Ting.

If you're in California, join us at the end of August, in the outdoor Bruns theatre for this epic.

https://tickets.calshakes.org/Online/default.asp?BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=Roses&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::context_id=

 

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first the [re]group event June 10,11,13

After years of dreaming up this concept here it is in it's first workshop form. This event is free (suggested donation) and depends on the audience both during and after the show. Please come check us out. I value all feedback on this process as both a facilitator, director and producer. This show will also be having community performances at ps218 in the Bronx and Veteran Center, Samaritan Village in Manhattan.

RSVP here:

 https://goo.gl/forms/4TIiHsNw93hvnFgH3

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PYGMALION by Shaw

Assistant directing Eric Tucker on Bedlam's production of PYGMALION. It will be the version of this classic story you have never seen before and reimagines the possibilities of how dated stories can be reimagined and how struggles of the past live on in the present.

http://bedlam.org/whats-on/pygmalion/

The Sheen Center

March 16-April 22nd

 

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WORKSHOP OF THE OCEAN THOUGHT NOTHING

With my playwright partner in crime Kari Bentley-Quinn!

A part of Goldfish Memory Productions workshop series:

THE OCEAN THOUGHT NOTHING
A workshop in-progress (supported by Goldfish Memory Productions)
By Kari Bentley-Quinn
Directed by Lana Russell

When seventeen year old aspiring marine biologist Colleen goes missing, all eyes are on her boyfriend Robbie, a sensitive young man with a violent past. When Robbie heads out on his boat to look for Colleen off the coast of southwest Connecticut, he encounters a lost humpback whale in Long Island Sound. Robbie’s search for Colleen and his desperate attempt to help the lost whale collide in unexpected and mysterious ways. 

Featuring: Charly Bivona, Oscar Cabrera, Kristin Granade, Billy Higgins and Trevor McGhie

Friday, 2/9 at 7 pm
Sunday, 2/11 at 7 pm
RSVP - limited seating!

Primary Stages
Studio B
307 West 38th Street
New York, NY 10018

 

NYC Indie One Minute Play Festival

Friday January 25th and Saturday January 26th at 8pm at the New Ohio!

Directing a chunk of exciting new plays all one minute in length with an ensemble cast of NYC's emerging indie actors.

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Summer 2017

Summer 2017 Recap!

Lana was the assistant director of SACRED VALLEY by Josh Radnor, Directed by Sheryl Kaller at New York Stage and Film-Powerhouse series.

Mainstage in the Powerhouse SACRED VALLEY by Josh Radnor directed by Sheryl Kaller set design by Derek McLane and Brandon McNeel costume design by Sarah Laux lighting design by Russell H. Champa sound design by Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen June 29 - July 9 Tickets: powerhouse.vassar.edu

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Cape Cod Theatre Project

http://www.capecodtheatreproject.org

 

 

 

Sink Florida Sink by David L. Kimple at ESPA at Primary Stages

On Wednesday April 12th I will be directing David's heart breaking, hilarious, magical and timely romp through an imagined future.

SINK FLORIDA SINK

by David L. Kimple

Directed by Lana Russell

6:30 pm ESPA at Primary Stages 307 West 38th Street 15th Floor.

Free and open to the public.

 

 

Salute by Alex Kveton at The New School

 

SALUTE
by Alexander Kveton
directed by Lana Russell

Featuring: Rachel Griesinger, Mike Axtell, Ashley Underwood, Ari Shapiro, Erin Salm, Nathaniel Kent, Victoria Tamez, Taylor Del Priore, Jessica Pomeroy, Zach Catron, Jarahn Cosby, Alex Roller, and Amber Barrios.

On the cusp of graduating, a prep school senior boy falls in love with a freshman girl, but because the school is so entrenched in a salacious tradition, what begins as love ends in tragedy.

The New School for Drama
151 Bank St. New York, NY 10014

March 18, 3:00 p.m.

March 22, 7:00 p.m.

March 23, 9:30 p.m.

March 24, 7:00 p.m.

March 25, 8:00 p.m.

Tickets available at https://www.ticketcentral.com/Online/default.asp?doWork%3A%3AWScontent%3A%3AloadArticle=Load&BOparam%3A%3AWScontent%3A%3AloadArticle%3A%3Aarticle_id=32A45E39-2FC6-48AA-ADFD-2B2BD41C3C53

 

SALUTE by Alex Kveton

Lana will be directing the world premiere of SALUTE by MFA 17 playwright Alex Kveton with an opening in March 2017. Stay tuned for more information!