Check Out Emily Russell’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Russell.

Hi Emily, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
We started Whole World Improv Theatre in 1994. Most of us had recently graduated from college or were close. We were theatre and film majors. We didn’t want to wait around for people to tell us when we could work so we started our own thing…and it took off.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, but it has been an incredible ride. We started out young and without formal business training—we’re artists, after all—so we often learned our lessons the hard way. But we are resourceful and have loads of grit. Together we built something truly special. Along the way, we’ve navigated big personalities and egos, along with financial highs and lows. While the Great Recession and COVID-19 hit us hard, our scrappy nature prevailed. We made the necessary pivots, and today, we’re not just surviving—we’re thriving.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As the Managing Director of Whole World Improv Theatre, my job is a mix of big-picture strategy and daily backstage magic. From producing shows and managing our classes to keeping the community engaged, I handle the operational heavy lifting so our actors can focus on bringing joy to the stage and our students can experience how transformative improv really is.

For over 30 years, our Artistic Director, Chip Powell, and I have been running this theatre as a team. Chip is my best friend and I’m incredibly proud of the community we’ve built together. We’ve had the absolute privilege of working—both on and off stage—with some of the most talented, brilliant people you could ever meet. Our actors tend to stick around for years, each bringing their own unique spark to make Whole World the special, welcoming place it is.

Having that history means I look at theatre operations through a performer’s lens. I’ve spent over 30 years as a performer, director, and producer in the Atlanta improv scene myself, so I’m deeply invested in our people both on and off the stage. I’m also a certified yoga instructor, which allowed me to build a specialized warmup tailored specifically for Whole World. It’s a great tool for helping our cast and students get out of their heads and into their bodies before classes, workshops, and shows. Beyond running the business and emceeing private events, my real passion is taking improv out into the community. I love designing specialized workshops for incredible organizations like Kate’s Club and the Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Research, using play and mindfulness to help people connect, laugh, and heal.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Honestly, the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that “Yes, And” isn’t just an improv rule—it’s how you have to run your life and your business. When you’re running an art house, you quickly realize you can’t control everything. We’ve been through so much over the decades, from watching our cast grow and evolve to navigating a global pandemic. In the moments where the logistics and the overhead felt completely overwhelming, the answer was always the same: lean into the ensemble and trust the people around you.

I used to think leadership meant we were suppose to have all the answers. Now I know my actual job is just to build a safe, supportive space, get out of the way, and let everyone bring their own unique spark to the table. If you invest deeply in the people, the magic on stage takes care of itself. At the end of the day, the theatre isn’t the physical building or the box office numbers—it’s the relationships.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wholeworldtheatre.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wholeworldimprov/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WholeWorldImprovTheatre