In an interview from his childhood bedroom in Reno, Nevada, Patrick Russell scans the walls and recounts the series of events that brought him to his current role as a faculty member at A.C.T.’s renowned San Francisco Semester program. "I'm back in my hometown right now in my parents' guest room, although it has a bunch of stuff from my old high school childhood theater shows that I did. This is kind of sweet." There’s a pause before Patrick begins sharing his artist origin story, "I was very, and still consider myself this way, but a very shy, kid. Many of us artists, you know, we find this work in school, and I really became in love with acting and film when I was a little kid."
Like many artists, Patrick hadn’t considered the world of sports or other stereotypically masculine forms of expression to be a good fit for him. He loved movement and expression, but hadn’t quite found the space to explore those values until he was introduced to theater and performance. "I did a program when I was in 5th and 6th grade that my teacher suggested, and I really credit her for this, she recommended me for the program to be a part of every Friday, leaving early in the afternoon from school, to be a part of an acting program," Patrick continued.
"I do think she saw something in me, but also, I think, and not to sound cynical about it, but I think she wanted me to have a space. She saw I was kind of that kid who was trying to find his way and where to belong. Again, sports was not really my thing, but whatever the case may be, it was hugely instrumental as well."
After being scouted and supported by his grade school teacher, Patrick began to realize more and more that theater classes were not just educational spaces, but spaces for him to be emboldened as he grew into his identity.
"High school, that was when I started to feel not apologetic about it in a way, I mean, that was when I started doing shows and I thought, 'Oh, I don't have to apologize for being this different person.'" Being in theater educational spaces encouraged Patrick to solidify who he was both onstage and off, and in doing so, he was able to build community and pursue an advanced educational path.
After graduating from High School, Patrick went on to receive a BFA from UC Santa Barbara. "That was really a turning point in my life," Patrick recounted. "A lot of artists and people navigating the influences, such as, 'Is this a sustainable lifestyle?' Frankly, I've always been really supported by my family and stuff, but it's hard to shake the 'I've got to do something else' or 'I've got to fit this idea of what I'm supposed to do.' I really credit my time in Santa Barbara. That really set me on my path of thinking, 'Okay, this is this is what I'm going to do,' and that led me to A.C.T."
Patrick had gotten into several MFA acting programs, but chose A.C.T. not only for its prestigious reputation, but for its location and culture. A.C.T. being located in the heart of San Francisco allowed Patrick to be deeply connected to artists across the Bay Area, leading to future opportunities, "San Francisco was a huge part of my childhood, as far as discovering theater. We used to visit San Francisco all the time when I was a little kid, and that's where I saw a bunch of shows. The first big one that I remember seeing was Les Mis, and that was another big spark moment in my childhood in terms of finding my way into wanting to be an actor."
After graduating from A.C.T. with an MFA in Acting, Patrick moved on to work in Los Angeles. After some time away, Patrick couldn’t help but be drawn back to San Francisco, "I had realized how much I missed the theater scene up here up in the Bay area. I just missed the community." Patrick returned to the Bay Area and began working all around the Bay at institutions such as CalShakes, Berkeley Rep, San Francisco State University, and University of California Berkeley.
After some time, he became a teaching artist for A.C.T.’s Studio A.C.T. program. In reflecting on his time at Studio A.C.T., Patrick said, "When I started teaching, something that inspired me was meeting so many older students. For instance, in Studio A.C.T., people who are coming back to acting, they'd say, 'I gave this up when I was in college, and I've spent 40 years not doing this, and I miss it so much.' It's really beautiful...How can you keep that? How can you not deny yourself?"
Patrick then moved on to become a core faculty member for the 15-week San Francisco Semester actor training intensive. Patrick is now able to provide the same emboldening space that he was provided throughout his educational experience. Patrick provides a space free of the expectations of what a person should be and encourages them to step into who they are. He is passing on the empathy and encouragement he received from the theater community. “I've become more and more passionate about teaching and not just offering up a space for people to learn acting, but a space about identity, overcoming fears, and finding confidence, and seeing that growth is really powerful. These are sacred, safe spaces for people." Patrick continued, "I hope what I offer up as a teaching artist is empathy, you know and how necessary it is. It's not even just about a degree or a piece of paper. It's the work that we do for students, and we're frankly living in a time right now, where empathy, I think, is not at the forefront of a lot. And in fact, it's actively being dismantled. I hope to pass on to people that vulnerability and empathy are courageous and powerful, and not weak."
Patrick understands firsthand that pursuing an education in theater is not always easy, but it can often be necessary and life affirming for artists. "It's clearly a part of your heart. You are an artist in your DNA—you don't have to deny that."
From his experience absorbing theater as a child, all the way to the moment he graduated with an MFA, Patrick never once let go of the values of empathy and embracing each individual as they were. As a student, he learned from his teachers, and now as a teacher, he learns from his students. From a shy child in Reno discovering theater as a refuge, to a confident artist and educator in San Francisco, Patrick’s story is a testament to the transformative power of the arts. His story underscores how essential educational spaces are to artists throughout their life. Now as a core faculty member at A.C.T., Patrick is able to bring empathetic mentorship to the San Francisco Semester program and provides a space to not only help shape a person's career, but a person’s identity. Patrick has come full circle offering students the same sense of belonging, purpose, and courage that once helped him grow. Patrick is doing more than teaching acting, he's nurturing the next generation of artists to lead with empathy, authenticity, and vulnerability. A.C.T. is happy to be a home to Patrick, and Patrick is happy to make every classroom a home to his students.
If you would like to share your A.C.T. artistry story, please email Veronica Fealy at csvoutreach@act-sf.org!
