StageWalkers Productions was established as a way to not only draw youth to the theater but also to have them participate in the process. Russell and Katrina Andrews founded the company upon their arrival to Los Angeles from New York in 1997. They began as RKA Productions with staged readings, and after working for many years with friend and mentor, August Wilson, they, in his honor, began to produce as StageWalkers Productions some of Mr. Wilson's finest plays with overwhelming success:

• In 2004, the company’s first production was an outstanding revival of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Wilson’s first Broadway success that starred Russell Andrews, James Avery and Loretta Devine in the title role of Gertrude “Ma” Rainey. It received 5 Ovation Award nominations, winning for Best Set Design, along with 3 NAACP Theater Awards for Best Actor, Best Supporting and Best Director as well as winning 4 LA Weekly Theater Awards for Best Set, Director, Ensemble Performance and Best Revival.
• The fall of 2006 saw Russell and Katrina produce a star-studded, standing room only, extended revival of Jitney. That production received overwhelming critical and audience response, along with 4 LA Weekly nominations, winning for Best Director and most recently 6 LA Ovation Award nominations with wins for Best Ensemble and Best Play.
• In the Fall of 2007 they opened Piano Lesson at the beautiful Hayworth Theater. They were thrilled to have award winning actress, Vanessa Bell Calloway starring and a brilliant cast on yet another award winning stage designed by Joel Daavid.

While still pursuing their goal of outreach to the community and its youth, along with raising their two beautiful children, Katrina and Russell’s individual skills have been in demand. As an actor, Russell has been called upon to co-star in a number of memorable film and television projects. And Katrina, a feature writer for LA Parent Magazine, wrote her first book, “Cool! You’re Pregnant! The Handbook for the Busy Woman” and created of an Environmental Fundraising Company called Earth Totes.