Joe developed a taste for improv comedy when he joined “The Notorious UIG” (UofA Improv Group) in 2013 at the ripe age of 25. It was during this period when he had the privilege of performing at UBC’s Impulse Festival, got his first big audience laugh (from a pun about corn), and was forever hooked.
The friends Joe made at UIG have become a second family, and many of them are past and current RFT cast members. After UIG but before joining the company, Joe dabbled in RFT workshops, volunteered, and was an active member of the improv community. He prided himself on being able to make his “improv friends” laugh. When he joined RFT as a rookie cast member in 2024, it felt like coming home. Joe joined the RFT main ensemble in 2025.
I’ve always loved making people laugh – when people are laughing, they aren’t thinking about their jobs, their responsibilities or the state of the world. I think that’s a real gift. Ya gotta laugh!!
Outside of performance, Joe has a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Master’s degree in Human Rights. He works in municipal government and is a passionate advocate for equitable and sustainable public services. In his spare time, he enjoys cycling, craft cider, and Jodie Foster’s complete filmography.
