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So many people have told how Russ changed their lives. I am going to say it again. My husband Ron and I met Russ in Ashtabula Ohio, when he was Artistic Director at the Ashtabula Playhouse and directing shows for the Ashtabula Community Players.

We had both acted in high school, but I had spent the past nine years being a wife and mother and working in Ron’s family’s furniture store to make it possible for him to attend college, first part-time and then full-time to earn his bachelor’s degree.

With the little free time we had, we both became involved in the Community Players, and when I auditioned, I was lucky enough to be cast in Russ’s productions of GUYS AND DOLLS, THE MUSIC MAN, THE BOYFRIEND, and a few others. Besides directing, Russ brought wonderful bus-and-truck shows to our local theater, including LUV and WAIT UNTIL DARK.

When Russ left Ashtabula for New York City, he gifted me the remainder of his annual subscription to the Cleveland Playhouse, allowing me to see professional productions including AFTER THE RAIN and ROSENCRANTZ AND GILDENSTERN ARE DEAD, for which he insisted that I read HAMLET three times! Having read only one Shakespeare play—JULIUS CAESAR—when I was in high school, I struggled. Russ answered all my questions and then assigned ROMEO AND JULIET.

At the time, Ron was applying to seminaries, among them Princeton Theological Seminary. Russ told us about his years at Princeton University, and how he loved McCarter Theater, which was on the campus. When Ron was accepted at PTS, Russ gave me information on current job openings at McCarter, and his reference letter was instrumental in my landing a job in the press office. Eventually, that led me to become assistant to Artistic Director Arthur Lithgow.

Once we were in Princeton, we were invited to almost every off-off Broadway show Russ directed—including WHITSUNTIDE.

Russ and Alice visited us in Princeton, and Russ was hired to direct THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST at McCarter. Alice was in the cast. A few years later, when I was accepted into the acting conservatory program at SUNY Purchase, Russ sent me his play reading list from Yale so I could be as prepared as possible.

I am so grateful for the kind encouragement Russ and Alice offered through the years. Russ was my inspiration, my guide, my teacher, and our friend.

Amie Brockway
Artistic Director, The Open Eye Theater

Dear Alice and family - 

What a wonderful tribute to Russ...he clearly was an amazing human being!!  I met him only once, but it was evident he was living his best life.  My heartfelt condolences for your loss. 

Warmly, 

Wendy (Kiwanis Key Leader Facilitator)

Alice, Ross and Amanda and all of the Treyz family,

Oh, I'm so sorry for the loss of your Russ. I only chatted with him a few times but what a light, what a 'beamer!'  Not at all surprising that he was a successful creator and collaborator.  May his soul rest at peace forever and may you feel his loving presence always.   with love,   Rick and Rose Inguanti and family

Helping hands

In lieu of flowers

Please consider a gift to The Actors Fund of America or Judson Memorial Church.
$3,800.00
Raised by 40 people

I will be forever grateful for all Russ taught me, his friendship, affection and every Opening Night Thank You card!

Russ You are missed!

Ginger M. James

Friend and Stage Manager for Russ at 

The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina

The Cape Playhouse

North Shore Music Theatre (Pre-Fire)

It was a absolutely wonderful memorial service, with all the family members and friends, photos and stories, laughs and tears.  Special thanks to Amanda and all of the participants and other volunteers for creating such a joyful event.  I will always carry with me very fond memories of Russ, his family, and his life.
Unable to join in Russ's memorial service today, I speak and sing here for him, his family, and his friends. How very lucky we were to have him with us.
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My wife and I had dinner with Russ after opening night at a Shakespeare festival. Although the language was that of the bard, the production had Russ's finger prints all over it. It was delightful. That one evening expresses ,y entire relationship with him.  That night and his place in my life with be a lasting and wonderful memory.

Steve Leightman

Ali Thompson
1988, Bedford Street, New York, NY, USA
I feel so lucky to have had a “bonus” dad in Russ throughout my years as a student at NYU and then a young actor living in New York.  Babysitting for Amanda and Ross not only allowed me to pay rent and eat (very often at the warm round tucked-away dinner table at 107 Bedford!), but provided also me with excellent parenting role models (in Russ and Alice).  I remember Russ as a gentle, kind, attentive, thoughtful, caring, and funny dad, and still to this day use some of his creative “curse” words with my own kids and students.  So grateful to have known this wonderful human.
I first met Russ when we were 12 and campers at Camp Idlewild on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire.   We discovered we had a common interest in theatre and vowed to keep in touch after camp was over.   Alas, we never made contact again until Russ reported for duty about 20 years later to direct a play at StageWest,  a regional theatre in Springfield, MA, where I was the Managing Director.   My wife and I became friends with Russ and Alice over the years and our children referred to them as RussianAlice.  Russ (Directing) and Alice (Acting) took part in several productions at StageWest.   Russ was a talented director and  had a great sense of humor.  I was grateful to have lunch with Russ and Alice in the past year in NYC and will miss him.     Steve Hays
In  the fall of 1974, I took a sabbatical from teaching in senior high and went to New York to see if I could "mke a living" as an actor/singer in theatre.  For a year I moved from sublet to sublet, auditioned, moved my car from one side of the street to the other and booked a very round number of gigs: zero. Mid-August, I got the letter from the school, board saying "The first teachers' meeting will be..." and I said aloud, "I can't go back." The next day the phone rang and Russ Treyz had decided that I would be his Annie Oakley in a production of "Annie Get Your Gun." That led to a half-century of work and friendship in theatre with one of the greatest couples I have known in my life. I worked with him again in 1980--in Alaska! We got together when we were in the same place, he came to my 70th birthday party in NYC, and I am devastated that I lost touch with both him and Alice over these last 10 years (I had moved to LA for 18 years). I always did my best work with him, and always had a wonderful, funny, uplifting time with him (and Alice) over these years. A piece of my heart went with him and I advise everyone to STAY IN TOUCH with those you love, because you never know when they may just check out on you.
Alice introduced me to Russ. 1971, probably. She had been cast in a play he was directing, and I wound up getting cast. ”The Red Man and the Green Lady in the Red and Green Lady’s Room”, a one-act we presented at the New York Theatre Ensemble. (The play was as weird as the title!) That started it. Ultimately, I acted in many Russ Treyz productions, and he made me audition for every one of them. (”I never cast someone unless I see what they do with the role in audition….”) The memories are too many to count - ”Whitsuntide”, the original production - Lots of summer stock. Alice wore that black feather boa, and they were quite the striking couple. I learned so much from him. Playing ”opposites”….Not laughing at my own jokes….And those little pieces of paper he scribbled on when he gave notes. I wish I still had them. As a director of a few plays myself, I use that same method. Learned it all from Russ. Alice and Russ visited my wife and me in Lisbon, Portugal short weeks before he passed. I still can feel his warm, smiling cheek beneath the palm of my right hand as we told them goodbye at the front door. Russell Treyz — and Alice — are important people in my life. Sorry I can’t be at the memorial in person. But I will weep in Lisbon. Thanks for the memories, Russell Treyz. My friend.

Russ and Alice were among our first artistic friends in NYC many decades ago.  Like them, we are long term relationship people and we always  held them in our hearts as kindred spirits in the arts….even though  we didn’t see each other often. When we did get together, it was always special and memorable. Their continuing artistic and personal contributions to the arts inspired our own dedication and lifestyles in the arts/theatre realms. We can still feel that love and inspiration. 

🌹💕Norma and Joe (Rosenberg ) 

Kiss Me Kate, Las Vegas, NV
Kiss Me Kate, Las Vegas, NV — with Angelo Moio and Russell
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Russell Treyz was my wonderful, caring brother in law and was a wonderful man.  He was lively and full of fun and a joyous person.  He welcomed me into the family when I first visited his brother when he was in high school and was always an important part of my life.  He was a devoted uncle giving his nephews presents that added to their lives, such as Beatles records when he thought George and I would not give them.  I attended many of his productions over the years and enjoyed them.   He thoughtfully included me in their family vacation plans  after my husband died.  Russ brought much joy into my life and I will miss him greatly.
My family and I are saddened by the loss of our beloved Uncle Russell. We saw his joy and zest for life at a family wedding this summer; joining the conversation, dancing with Alice, and celebrating with his immediate and extended family. Uncle Russ was the hip uncle; buying Beatles albums for my brother and me, opening our eyes to shows like “Company,” whirlwind holidays in New York including the Museum of Holography, Pilobolus, and the Met. He brought attention to detail such as the Thanksgiving dinner with multiple stuffings, cranberry sauces and the notorious hot peppers. One summer, he meticulously restored the old sailfish boat at Tennanah Lake. His storytelling and sense of humor is legendary, always with a twist. Alice and Russ always make time for my father, mother and family and we have many precious memories of our time together. Uncle Russ was devoted to his craft—wanting to get the final scene of Tosca exactly right; and his family, the center of his life. We will always carry your memory in our hearts.
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We are deeply saddened by the loss of Russ Treyz who, along with Alice, have been our friends since the early NYU days, beginning more than twenty years ago. The loss is particularly unfair and devastating given his recent medical struggles and how he valiantly fought back to tackle them into submission. We are sending warm hugs to Alice, Amanda, Ross, and the entire Treyz family.

As described in these many posts Russ was a not only a talented director but a lovely human who adored his family, was justifiably proud of his artistic successes, supported the arts of all kinds and gave generously to them, and gave of himself to his local community. The photos here remind us of his genuinely warm smile which always was out to greet friends. We are lucky to have been treated to delicious, healthy, home cooking by Russ Treyz - everything from breakfast to afternoon tea, and dinner on the Treyz back terrace.

We will miss him and our conversations with Alice over these meals about all sorts of diverse topics - university politics; the state of the American theatre; NYC vs Berkeley; national politics; our children - you name it. We will miss you, Russ Treyz.

💔 With love,

Nausica and James Gardner, along with Zoe and Roxanne

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Alice and Russ's love story has always been an inspiration to all who know them.  We'll remember their wonderful example forever. Love never dies.

What started as a simple fitness coach-client relationship back in 2013 blossomed into a beautiful bond and friendship that only Russ could make happen. I was privileged to have spent countless hours with Russ over our eleven years of exercising together, and though I was providing the guidance, Russ was teaching me in so many ways.  From his unwavering discipline and eagerness to learn, to his selflessness and trust in me, Russ showed me the greatest example of being a lifelong student of developing oneself. As Russ recovered from his surgery in late 2019, I watched him persevere through initial memory lapses and natural limitations to reclaim his previous physical capabilities, exceeding all expectations for his age and condition. I am so happy he was able to enjoy the last few years of his life with little to no restrictions, even the recent trip which we prepared for.

It was a pleasure - an honor - to have been a part of Russ's life, and to get to know his lovely family, of whom he spoke so highly about.

Along with many others, I will miss Russ terribly, and will always remember what a positive person he was that made everyone's life better simply by being in it.

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Ed Hooks is thinking of Russ today...A dear friend for fifty years....

Traveler, your footprints are the only road, nothing else. Traveler, there is no road;you make your own path as you walk. As you walk, you make your own road,and when you look back you see the path you will never travel again.Traveler, there is no road;only a ship's wake on the sea.

(Traveler, Your Footprints by Antonio Machado)

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Susan Brashear
1965, Interlochen Arts Academy, Michigan as a student
Russell Treyz was my drama teacher when I was in eighth grade at Interlochen Arts Academy. I had come there all the way from TX and he was really my very first drama instructor… I’d been in shows but I was hungry to learn about acting and becoming skilled… I was so lucky that he was my first teacher… I couldn’t have asked for anyone more encouraging, patient, kind, and knowledgeable. His passion for theatre sparked with my own in a way I never forgot. I was grateful many years later when we reconnected on FaceBook and to tell him how I became an actor and advanced in my training and studies to become not only an actor but a teacher and director as well. I ended up in California… the picture posted is from a production I was in the Bay Area when I won the Critic’s Award for Best Actor.  I had always hoped that one day, we would meet again in person but that wasn’t meant to be. I am so sorry for the loss of such a great teacher, director and especially a wonderful father, husband and grandpa. He had more to give I am sure. But lucky we were to have been a little while in that special spark that he had.
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Kathleen Brant
Gave to The Actors Fund of America in memory of Russell
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Amie and Ron Brockway
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Amie and Ron Brockway
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Russell Treyz