The Bad Dog has trained, nurtured or hosted some of the best of Canadian comedy. We'll put the spotlight
on some of our members and find out more about why they make the Bad Dog such a special place.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT : SAM RUANO
Interview by Rusa JeremicA Harold Night regular, Sam is building a career in the film and television industry as a writer and director. He is a pretty darn good improviser too, as evidenced by his play in shows like Improvatron 3000 and MacroNeato.
Fun Sam Facts!!
- Sam and his wife became first-time parents on May 8th when little Mason was born.
- Sam a.k.a. "Slam" Ruano studied Film Production at Concordia University!
- After teaching English in Japan for a couple of years, Sam moved to Toronto.
- Sam has written and directed FOUR Fringe Plays!
I started improvising in 2006. It was a bit of a culture shock moving from Montreal to Toronto. I was trying to get my filmmaking career off the ground and I didn’t know that many people. When the new year came, I knew I had to make some changes that would take me out of my element. So I called up Second City and registered for some classes. While I was there, I heard about the Bad Dog through one of my teachers – Kerry Griffin. I came to see him perform at the Bad Dog and then I auditioned for David Shore's Harold class which led to being put on the Harold Team Operation Burning Sky. But my very first Bad Dog show was That Friday Show. I loved it. It was intimate and cozy!
Why improv?
I started doing improv in order to improve my directing skills. It's really important to keep doing shows, whatever else is going on in your life. It helped me think on my feet and become more vocal.
Do you have a favorite improv moment that stands out?
Playing a Siamese twin with Kevin Matviw in The Harold. There are so many more. Like when I played a drug trafficking Mexican beaver in Improvatron 3000. I even got a mention in the paper. I was really proud.
Do you have a favourite scene location suggestion?
Inside a pyramid in a tomb.
Best object suggestion?
Razorblade in an apple.
Best advice?
"You are never going after your first gig, you are going after your third gig," from a TV producer at McGill. "If you can’t see what you are looking at – then move," from an art teacher.
If you could improvise with anybody who would it be?
Alan Arkin.
What are you up to?
I recently graduated from the Canadian Film Centre Writers Program. In January I was hired as a full-time staff writer for CBC's Little Mosque on the Prairie. It's really a wonderful time for me right now.
Boxers, briefs or thongs?
Definitely boxers...or commando!
Catch Sam Ruano and other great people at The Bad Dog Theatre. Spotlight off!