Joe Saam - Director

Joe Saam is a founding member of the improv troupe, Rumor Has It… Joe has assisted in teaching the fundamental and beginning improv classes at Under The Sun Studios. Trapped In A Rumor marks Joe’s first endeavor into directing. You can still see Joe on stage today with Rumor Has It…

Joe continues to study improv to this day and recommends Truth In Comedy and Improvise: Scene from the Inside Out to anyone who wants to get into improv.

Joe begin his theatre career at De La Salle High School, performing a small roll in 12 Angry Men and ensemble in South Pacific. Joe continued his theatre work behind the scenes, working with the props and sets department before being made the stage manager his for his senior year. In college, Joe performed with a choir and was a crew member for a musical version of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, called Rock ‘n’ Roll Twelfth Night. Joe has also run sound for the Willows Theatre Company.

After performing with Rumor Has It… for over a year, Joe decided it might be a good idea to create a troupe that would perform in a similar style to what people see on Whose Line Is It Anyway. Joe is happy to have founded Trapped In A Rumor and will often tell people that “you couldn’t ask for a better group of improvisers.”

20 Questions - Almost...

1. Where are you originally from?: The California Bay Area
2. When did you get to the Bay Area and why did you move here?: Being born here it was more my parents decision than it was mine.
3. When did you begin improvising?: I’ve been improvising since I was born. How I am here is often how I am out in the real world.  Officially, however, I started training in 2007.
4. Have you ever been on TV, in a movie, published in a book or magazine, etc.?  If so – DETAILS!: Not yet, but working on being an extra for TV/movies and who knows about any publications.
5. List any special talents you may have: I love to do stunt falling.  I can do the splits, handstands, some flips.
6. Nickname(s)?: The Rumor, HBK, Dr. Love, BatJoe
7. Hometown?: Concord, CA
8. Joined TiR?: February 2009, one of the founders!
9. Favorite Movie(s): Interview with a Vampire, Top Gun, Good Will Hunting, Wayne’s World
10. Favorite Book(s): Interview with a Vampire, Truth In Comedy, most of Jim Cramer’s works.
11. Favorite Food(s): Burgers, Pizza, Sushi
12. Favorite Sport/Sports Team: Oakland A's, Oakland Raiders, San Jose Sharks!
13. Favorite Music (album, artist, style, whatever): I enjoy pop music. Nickleback, Boyz II Men, TSO
14. Favorite Improv Game: Hard to pick just one, Whose Line and Actor’s Nightmare tend to be winners!
15. Favorite Bay Area attraction: Pier 39, Mt. Diablo and now the Village Theatre in Danville
16. Favorite Quote: I'm Batman! - Batman, As You Wish - Wesley (Princess Bride), They've Gone To Plad! - SpaceBalls, I'm the best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be. - Bret "Hitman" Hart
17. Personal Hero(s): Mike Myers, John Madden, Mark Callaway and Shawn Hickenbottom
18. Anything else you want to share (personal thought, funny story, etc.): Improv has given me the opportunity to entertain people, something that’s been a lifelong dream of mine.  It’s always a challenge as I am a shy guy and get horrible stage fright.  A wise man once said they’d stop performing when they stopped having butterflies in their stomach before they’d go out to perform, put me in that same boat!  The nerves make you better! 
    I’d also like to thank my loving fiancé for her support.  When we met, I was a techie guy, now I’m an acting techie guy.  She always supports the crazy hours I keep while at the same time trying to get me to keep more humane hours.  With her, I know I am loved, and with her and the members of Trapped In A Rumor, I know I am blessed!