Steve Russell

About

Steve was born and raised in Menomonie, WI, and after high school began to live a life on the road and has been performing professionally since 1978. Steve attended UW-Stout, where he studied psychology. Additionally, he has an MFA (Master of Fun Arts) from Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Clown College.

Some of his career highlights are spending 12 years on cruise ships around the world, visiting Europe, South America, Africa, and the South Pacific. For two years, he was on the faculty of Ringling Bros. Clown College where he taught juggling, unicycling, and clowning. His travels have taken him to all 50 states, and he has performed in 33 of them. Steve’s professional touring has taken him to more than 35 foreign countries.

Steve has appeared on the Disney Channel, Good Morning America and NBC’s The Tonight Show starring Jay Leno, has opened for the 5th Dimension, performed for the Royal Family of Spain, and performed a private show for Ron Howard and his family. He also toured with Penn and Teller.

Reviews

“Your act was a delight for the entire audience and captured the hearts of the youngest children and oldest adults. The direct interaction with all ages of the audience and your creative ability to communicate and respond kept them engaged during the entire show. The clean nature of material used provided an excellent venue for both children and adults and kept everyone laughing throughout the event. Your juggling talent and comic persona offer a unique combination of skills that are thoroughly enjoyable.”

–American Association of Airport Executives

“The Kiwanis of New Richmond hired Steve October 2011 for our annual fundraising banquet. He worked as the primary entertainer and MC for the night. As chair person of the event he was absolutely wonderful to work with. What a professional! He even researched one of the raffle games prior to the event and read our group perfectly. I would not hesitate to hire Steve for another event. We are still getting compliments from the community on how great he was. The President of our organization states: Steve Russell was everything I could ever imagine to liven up our event as our Master of Ceremony. His comedy, juggling and magic had everyone paying attention and laughing. He made our event a lot of fun and very memorable.”

–New Richmond, WI Kiwanis

“We hit it right on the head with hiring Steve Russell. Steve was so polite, professional and prompt. Who could ask for more? It was A+, high energy, good clean family fun.”

–diversiCOM

“Thanks for the show. We got a real bang out of it!”

–Ron Howard, Movie Director

“The audience walked out of the theater holding their stomachs from laughing so hard!”

–Williamsburg Theater

“Three times a day, floppy-haired Steve Russell has thrilled enthusiastic audiences…Surprises abound.”

–The Tampa Tribune

“Everyone at our conference dinner screamed with laughter and gave him a standing ovation as he left the stage.”

–Virginia Department of Education

“Steve, great show! It was so fun to see everyone laughing – and I mean EVERYONE!”

–Willmar Tribune

“Your show was exactly what we were looking for when it comes to entertainment value for Aitkin’s “Riverboat Days.” When the rains cleared, the crowds came out and it was fun to see the kids sitting in strollers to the older folks with walkers laughing and really enjoying your show. The audience was left wanting more and that is what it’s all about. P.S. I would personally like to thank you for being so accommodating during the first show with the inclement weather. I wish all the artists and acts we contract with were as easy to work with as you were.”

–President Elect, Aitkin Area Chamber of Commerce

“(Steve) stole the show the same way kids and animals do…he was just himself. He was open, he was curious, he was innocent. We believed him…and he was funny.”

–Review of an impromptu performance, New York Clown Theater Festival, by an instructor at Yale, Julliard, Cirque du Soliel

Intro

The following is a sample introduction you might use when introducing Steve Russell to your audience:

“For more than half of his life, Steve Russell has literally juggled his way around the world. His travels and talents have taken him from the Pyramids of Egypt to the Heart of the Amazon jungle.

Steve has entertained millions of people with appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Live with Regis and Kelly, and at Lincoln Center in New York City.

Please welcome Steve Russell.”

Rider

In order to give you the best performance possible, Steve Russell provides the following information as a technical rider to his contract:

Artist requests:

• Steve presents a show that is very visual. With that in mind, it is important that the audience can see him. For groups larger than 80, a raised platform stage is recommended. A 12 to 24 inch raised stage is recommended, with a minimum of 12 feet wide by 8 feet deep. The stage should be set as close to the audience as possible with care taken to keep seating in front of the stage as much as possible.
• Two standard electrical outlets near the stage are required.
• If a podium is used as part of the event, it is important that the podium is removed prior to Steve’s introduction.
• Ceiling height is rarely an obstacle. If Steve can stand up straight, he can do a show!
• If dinner is being served prior to the show, Steve requests you inform the catering staff NOT to clear dishes during the show.