Russell L. Treyz ’62

Russ died Aug. 16, 2024, after a brief illness.

He came to us from Roscoe (N.Y.) Central School. At Princeton, he majored in French and English and wrote his thesis on innovations in contemporary avant-garde theater. He was a member of the Chapel Choir. After Princeton, he received an MFA from the Yale School of Drama.

Russ went on to a long and distinguished career in the theater as both a writer and director. In the 1970s, he co-wrote the off-Broadway musical Cotton Patch Gospel and received a Drama Desk Award for directing the off-Broadway play Whitsuntide. Across the years, he directed and nurtured new playwrights and actors at Café La MaMa, Judson Poets Theater, St. Clement’s Theatre, and Playwrights Horizons. He directed the award-winning film North of Providence with his daughter, Amanda, as cinematographer. He also directed many of Shakespeare’s plays at festivals around the country.

Russ married filmmaker Alice Elliott in 1972. She survives him as does his daughter Amanda Treyz; his son, Ross Denny-Elliott Treyz; grandson Arthur Treyz; and nephew Eli Quinters.

To Alice and the rest of Russ’ family, the class extends its condolences.