During my years in the Boston improv scene, I had the privilege of sharing the stage with some truly remarkable performers. But one name that continues to stand out in my memory and my heart is Zabeth Russell.
If you've seen her on TV or in film, you already know she's got undeniable talent. But what set Zabeth apart - even in our earliest days onstage together—wasn't just her quick wit or her uncanny ability to create unforgettable characters. It was her fearlessness.
Zabeth didn't just walk onstage - she commanded it with ideas, risks, and energy that lifted everyone around her. She was the kind of scene partner who surprised you in the best way, who made you want to match her boldness. She had an innate ability to trust the moment, to trust the work, and to trust her fellow performers - and that trust was infectious.
One of the most meaningful projects of my improv life was a two-person show we created together called Ay Diego. It was a living room style format with organic edits between scenes. The living room part of the format was a relationship between two characters whose friendship bordered on romantic. That show changed me. It taught me what could happen when two people are completely in sync - when they listen deeply, play truthfully, and throw themselves into the unknown together. Performing with Zabeth in that show felt like magic. It was magic.
If there's one lesson to take from Zabeth's approach, it's this: don't wait for permission to be bold. Great improv thrives on trust, risk, and presence. Zabeth's gift was in meeting each moment with full commitment, whether it was a ridiculous character or a vulnerable truth. Want to capture that same joy and spirit? Let go of the need to "get it right" and instead, aim to connect, surprise, and elevate those around you. The magic lives in the risks you're brave enough to take.
Looking back, I feel fortunate to have performed with her and to have learned from her. Her career continues to inspire me, not just because of what she's achieved, but because of how she achieved it- with bravery, brilliance, and joy.
