Smita Russell is an award-winning playwright, performer and photographer. She began storytelling in 2023 and found unexpected joy and success in sharing on the stage.

In less than one year, she won two Moth StorySlams, was invited to perform on Story Collider and debuted her first off-Broadway show titled Odds Are to a sold-out audience while nearly nine months pregnant. In November 2024, Odds Are won the top prizes of Best Production and Best Director at United Solo — the world’s largest festival for solo artists.

Though her background is rooted in the humanities, with undergraduate and graduate studies at Yale and Cambridge, she tried to balance things out by marrying a scientist. Before settling down in Manhattan, Smita lived on six continents and spent long stretches sailing the high seas. Professionally, she advises media moguls, CEOs, Oscar winners and G.O.A.T.s on all matters of education.

This summer, Smita will be taking Odds Are on tour with her young family.