Part-Time Instructor – Theatre Education. Russell Saxton is a distinguished theatre educator, director, designer, and teaching artist with more than four decades of experience in theatre education and professional practice. During his 32-year tenure at Dixie High School, he built a nationally recognized theatre program that provided thousands of students with meaningful opportunities in performance, design, and production. He directed, designed, and constructed more than 120 productions while fostering a culture of artistic excellence, collaboration, and mentorship.
Saxton’s contributions to theatre education have earned numerous honors, including Theatre Teacher of the Year, the Huntsman Teacher of Excellence Award, Washington County School District Teacher of the Year, and the Superintendent’s Award for Excellence. In 2025, he was a finalist for Utah Tech University’s Faculty Senate Excellence in Online Teaching Award.
In 2013, Saxton founded the Theatre Education Program at Utah Tech University, where he continues to teach and mentor aspiring theatre educators. His influence extends throughout Washington County and across Utah through university teaching, professional development, workshops, and mentorship. He teaches technical theatre and scenic arts for the Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival and has presented workshops for the Utah Advisory Council of Theatre Teachers, Utah Theatre Association, and National Educational Theatre Association.
Saxton maintains an active professional practice as a producer, scenic designer, scenic artist, consultant, and teaching artist and is the founder of Saxton Theatricals. His work reflects a lifelong commitment to the transformative power of theatre and to helping educators and artists discover their potential, develop confidence, pursue excellence, and grow both professionally and personally.