Salsation Theatre Company, NFP

What’s your history with Salsation?
I joined Salsation in 2005 roughly a year after I started training to be an actor.  I was walking around the Second City Training Center and saw a posting on a board by a Latino sketch comedy group.  Back then I had a lot more creative time on my hands so I was hungry to do everything comedy related.  So, I went out and auditioned cold reading sides with [Salsation co-founder] Ramon Charriez and [Salsation Ensemble Member] Patrick Garone in a room at a recording studio.  When I got there, I felt that Gawd reached out and told me I had this one in the bag because I was blessed to be in my home away from home – an audio recording studio!  Anyway, I got the gig and starred in “The Fanta Menace”.

I’ve been involved in Salsation ever since but mostly behind the scenes as a producer, PR manager, or ensemble member.  This show marks my return to the mainstage since “Fanta”.  I’ve done other shows in some capacity in the meantime but it’s nice to formally get back into the creative side of the group.  I’m ultra excited.

What got you started in comedy?
Well, the true love for it started back in the 2nd grade when I noticed this kid on the playground surrounded by a group of girls while he told knock-knock jokes.  I figured: ME + COMEDY = WOMEN.  So yeah, I got into it for the chicks (laughs).  The point I decided to get serious about it was after I went on a business trip back in 2004 to meet a group of my co-workers for the first time.  We all hit off pretty well and decided to meet up for dinner afterward.  There were probably 30 of us there and I felt pretty loosey-goosey from the Sprite I was drinking (I don’t drink alcohol – FUNNY!) and started riffing jokes on people at the table.  After about a half-hour, I realized I had everyone’s attention captured and effectively was doing stand-up comedy!  So, at that point, I realized I had the ability to do comedy formally.

When I got home, I figured I should probably get some training on “how to be funny” for standup.  So I typed, “Chicago comedy training” into Google and “Second City” came up.  I read that and thought, “Huh. Second City.  I’ve heard about them. SNL, right?” So, I clicked on the link and got to the Training Center site and saw “Improv” in the course descriptions thinking it was like “improv” from “The Improv” comedy clubs.  So, I signed up and showed up to my first day of class.  The instructor said, “We’re going to teach you guys how to become actors”.  I was like, “Uhm, no.  I’m here to be funny”.  Then she said, “Don’t worry, the funny will come.”  So, I stuck it out and many years later, here I am!  Yeah, it all started by accident (laughs).

What’s your favorite sketch in “Ctrl+Alt+Deport”?
Well, like everyone has said, there’s tons of great material in the show.  The show itself is well-balanced as far as who’s material made it in.  My favorite sketches include a scene exploring the double-standards we assert on people when they “experiment” in college, a sketch Jonathan & Horacio wrote about a boy and his toy, and a scene dealing with an “apocalyptic”  first date.

What does the future hold in store for you?
Well, at this point all I’m concerned with is finding more opportunities to allow my fragile ego to grow. (laughs) No, seriously, I’m going to be launching a few more opportunities for Salsation this year for touring and the fall curriculum.  I  have plans to expand my love of music improv and bringing that to the masses once again.  I also have the seeds of a one-man show I need to write and put up sometime late this year.  I’m also doing shows for my Courageous Rue and Static Republic projects while juggling forays into jazz.   Other than that, nothing.

If you could be meet any famous person, past or present, who would it be and why?
Here’s my list of people:

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