Russ Rosensweig is the founder and Managing Director of Summit Entertainment Group, a talent agency that has represented over 200 designers of theatre, opera, dance, museum installations, emerging new technologies, corporate and live performance for over 35 years. She has worked with artists and companies throughout the world; the firm’s talent has been honored with numerous awards including Tony Awards; Obie; Drama Desk; Lucille Lortel; AUDELCO; Bessie and regional and international theatre and opera awards.
After receiving her BA in Theatre from the State University of New York at Binghamton, Russ worked at the Cider Mill Playhouse in Endicott, NY as their Production Manager, waiting to start the MFA program at Yale University School of Drama. While studying at Yale she had the opportunity to work with Athol Fugard and continued that relationship after graduating, serving in several capacities including assistant director for the Broadway show “Master Harold…and the boys” and the world premiere of “The Road to Mecca”.
Prior to starting Summit Entertainment Group, LLC in 1988, Russ joined the Broadway general management firm of Joseph Harris and Associates, where she was associated for six years on many Broadway productions including, “My One and Only”, “Noises Off”, “Sweet Charity” and “Glengarry Glen Ross”.
A native New Yorker, she grew up in the Bronx and Westchester, and holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Yale University School of Drama and a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre from the State University of New York at Binghamton. During her undergraduate work, she also studied in London, England through Syracuse University, apprenticing with several theater companies including the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Russ is often a guest lecturer on the Business of Theatre. She has a unique perspective that she has shared with thousands of students and working professionals. Prior engagements have included masterclasses and seminars at The Yale School of Drama; NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts; The Juilliard School; Virginia Tech; The University of Massachusetts at Amherst; Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University; United Scenic Artists Local 829 and The League of Professional Theatre Women.
When not enjoying theater, dance, opera, classical music (a violist and pianist) and tennis, she spends time with her gadget geek, cyclist husband, their two daughters and partners, and their many four-legged animal companions.