Ann Russell-Lutenske

Ann Russell-Lutenske is an SVSU alum who has come full circle, returning to campus to play the role of the mother in the SVSU Theatre production of Little Women…Now. When Ann was a student at SVSU, she majored in English and minored in Speech & Theatre. She went on to build a career as a professional actor, in shows touring across the country, and once she was ready to put down roots, she became deeply involved in the Great Lakes Bay Region community theatre scene.

Ann has been blown away by what she has found at SVSU. She absolutely loves working with the current students, noting that they are even more professional than some of the professional productions she has been a part of. She admits she was initially nervous to step into a production with a group of college students who had already been working together all year, but from the very first day, she was embraced and welcomed as one of the team.

Her favorite part of the Little Women…Now experience has been watching the students take ownership of the production. She has been continually impressed by their skill, efficiency, and dedication. And it isn't just the students who have made this production special. Ann has also loved working alongside the SVSU theatre faculty.

One familiar face on the team is Tommy Wedge, SVSU Associate Professor of Theatre, who directed Ann in her all-time favorite production, Next to Normal. She cherishes every opportunity she gets to work with him. She is equally excited that Little Women…Now marks her first collaboration with Dave Rzeszutek, SVSU Professor of Theatre and the director of the production. Watching Dave work has been a highlight of the experience, particularly his approach with the students. Rather than simply giving notes, Dave asks probing questions and treats every rehearsal as a teaching moment, making the process as educational as it is creative.

When asked why SVSU alumni should come out to see Little Women…Now, Ann didn't hesitate: come to witness the remarkable growth of the SVSU Theatre program and to see just how talented this generation of theatre students truly is. Ann is excited to watch where these students go after graduation, and she is confident they will go on to do great things, backed by the exceptional education and the extraordinary talent they have already demonstrated.

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