Jay Russell

Jay Russell is a professional Actor who has appeared on & off Broadway, in National Tours, regional & international theatre, as well as Film & Television. He also teaches acting at AMDA (American Musical Dramatic Academy) & NYFA (New York Film Academy). Jay first came to Easton Mountain for Freedom Camp 2016 & returned the following year when he taught his first workshop at Easton. He has also been a participant at Hail the New in 2016 & returned & led workshops in 2017. In 2018 Jay wrote, directed & produced his first short film entitled ‘ruok’ about our obsession with our devices & our ever decreasing to communicate with people IRL (in real life). It centers on two gay BFF’s and delves into friendship, sex, betrayal & hookups in our society. ‘ruok’ has been accepted into 20 film festivals around the world so far, & has screened all over the US, in Canada, Australia, Amsterdam, London & France. It won the Audience Awards for Best Short at both QFlix Philadelphia & Wicked Queer Boston LGBT Film Festivals, & the Best Screenplay at the Rainbow Umbrella Film Festival in London. Jay is thrilled to be included in the faculty of Gay Freedom Camp 2019 & looks forward to connecting with old friends & new ones.