Created in a test tube (literally) for maximum efficiency, Payton is a Texas-born writer and actress who currently works as the Showrunner’s Assistant on Season Two of Amazon’s MR. AND MRS. SMITH.
Before that, Payton was the Showrunner’s Assistant on Apple TV’s LUCKY. She worked at HBO Drama on THE WHITE LOTUS, TRUE DETECTIVE, HOUSE OF THE DRAGON, A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS, HARRY POTTER, and much more.
Payton holds a Graduate Certificate in Television Writing from UCLA’s Professional Program.
She earned a B.F.A. in Acting from Texas State University, where she studied the teachings of Hagen, Meisner, Stanislavski, Chekhov, Mamet, Adler, Strasberg, UCB, and The Actors Gang, as well as the techniques of Practical Aesthetics, Rasaboxes, and the International Phoenetic Alphabet (IPA, no not the beer).
Currently, Payton studies improv at The Groundling’s.
Outside of entertainment, Payton just ran her first marathon. It was very hard.
Some Awards:
Second Rounder in Austin Film Festival – “Jurassic Woman”
SemiFinalist in Humanitas’ David and Lynn Angell College Comedy Awards – “Ask, and My Electric Toothbrush Shall Give It Unto You”
SemiFinalist in Screencraft’s Virtual Pitch Competition – “The Actor’s Gang”
Quarterfinalist in Screencraft’s TV Pilot Competition – “Jurassic Woman”
Quarterfinalist in Final Draft’s Big Break Competition – “How to be a Girl”
Regional Winner of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival – “Floaters”
A Few Publications:
Published in Texas’ Best Emerging Poets – “Nineteen”
Published in Herstry Blog – “Fat Kids“
Published in The University Star – Life and Arts Reporter, Opinions Columnist
Press:
Austin Film Festival: Payton Russell’s “Jurassic Woman” named Second Rounder in the Austin Film Festival
Humanitas: Payton Russell’s “Ask and My Electric Toothbrush Shall Give it Unto You” named Humanitas David and Lynn Angell College Comedy Awards Semifinalist
University Star: “Curious Incident” cast seeks to unite audience with inclusive storytelling
CTX Live Theatre: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Broadway World Review: THE COLD BREW COLLECTION at Texas State University
Payton Russell 