Brian Russman
Many of my students learn that the most common response from me is “it depends” at which point we enumerate the various approaches and instances where the variables shift the parameters of the “correct” answer.
-Brian Russman
Brian teaches costume craft focussed courses including Fabric Dyeing, Fabric Painting, Millinery I & II as well as classes in mask making, footwear, armor, mold making and casting, and jewelry creation.
Brian Russman has been part of the CMU School of Drama faculty for 15 years having moved to Pittsburgh from New York City where he worked as a design assistant, and associate designer on such notable Broadway projects as Annie Get Your Gun (William Ivey Long), Walt Disney’s Aida (Bob Crowley), Mamma Mia! (Mark Thompson), Sweet Smell of Success (Bob Crowley), Amour (Dona Granata), Tom Sawyer (Anthony Powell), The Pillowman (Scott Pask), The Wedding Singer (Gregory Gale), Spamalot (Tim Hatley), Frost/Nixon (Christopher Oram), Boeing Boeing (Rob Howell), and Billy Elliot (Nicky Gillibrand). Brian has also worked at many of the leading New York costume houses including Barbara Matera Ltd, Tricorne, Carelli Costumes, and Rodney Gordon Ltd.
Brian’s film and television work includes assistant design responsibilities on Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows (Dona Granata), Dr. T and The Women (Dona Granata), War of The Worlds (Joanna Johnston), and American Gangster (Janty Yates). Additional films include The Next Three Days (Abigail Murray), The Dark Knight Rises (Lindy Hemming), and Abduction (Ruth Carter).
Brian has worked regionally as an assistant designer or a craftsperson / milliner with The Shakespeare Theatre (D.C.), PlayMaker’s Repertory Company, Goodspeed Opera, Paper Mill Playhouse, Arena Stage, New York Theatre Workshop, Houston Grand Opera, Santa Fe Opera, The Utah Shakespeare Festival, Chicago Lyric Opera, Atlanta Ballet, Holland America Cruise Lines, The Alley Theatre, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Second Stage Theatre, and Geva Theatre.
Brian’s costume design work has been seen on the stages of The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (…And A Nightingale Sang…, The Metromaniacs, Life of Galileo, The Rivals, The Play’s The Thing, The Little Foxes, The Three Musketeers), St. Michael’s Playhouse (Over the River and Through the Woods), Porthouse Theatre (…And a Nightingale Sang…, Deathtrap), TheDrillingCompaNY (Dealers), Rattlestick Playwright’s Theatre (Boise) and PlayMaker’s Repertory Company (Molly Sweeney).
Brian is a member of USITT, USA 829 and 489.