Due to a fortunate series of laughter and inspiration, in 2008, Quinn found himself improvising at Loose Moose Theatre in Calgary, which is where he cut his teeth.

In 2014 he joined the ranks of Rapid Fire Theatre, and is currently one of two workshop instructors for the University Improv Group. He has been seen improvising in Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Wurzburg (Germany), as well as many rural Albertan towns. At the moment, Quinn is working on a degree in entrepreneurship and family business with the hopes of one day opening up his own improvisational theatre somewhere in the mountains.

FAVOURITES

TV Shows: I’m hooked on Human Planet. This is essentially the series Planet Earth, but for unbelievable humans that will blow your mind off your face. It’s incredible. Get on it.
Movies: Secondhand Lions, Tarzan, The Intouchables, Oh Brother where art thou. Anything by Wes Anderson. No particular order except for the first two. They’re top dogs.
Actors: Bill Murray, Tom Hanks, Sam Rockwell.
Video Games: Soul Caliber 5, and Left 4 Dead. These are the only video games that I have played more than five times.
Authors: I should really read more.
Music: Cat Empire, Mitch Belot, and songs that are sad, I really like sad songs. Blues too. Electro-swing, and classical sometimes. Hell, I just like music.
Websites: The weather network. I check this almost everyday, even though it’s usually a liar.
Food: By far, hands down, all-time favourite is… ready for it? Good Indian food. No question.
Words to live by: Having fun is always more fun than not having fun. /// Sometimes she goes, sometimes she doesn’t go, and that’s the way she goes.

HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH RAPID FIRE?

While living in Calgary, I kept hearing whispers of “Rapid Fire” throughout the improv community. As soon as I moved here for school, I knew I needed to find a way in. I met Julian Faid after a Friday night show, he gave me some comps, and told me I should take classes and volunteer, it was good advice, but instead I joined the university improv group. A year later I got an audition with RFT, and like that I was in.

WHAT ARE THE KEYS TO A SUCCESSFUL IMPROV SCENE?

Listen. Say “yes”, and listen. Listen, say “yes”, and then listen more. Take a big risk, then be affected by something, but don’t stop listening. That’s all you need.

WHAT ARE SOME TIPS YOU CAN OFFER AUDIENCE MEMBERS ABOUT GIVING SUGGESTIONS TO IMPROVISERS?

Poop. Everyone loves poop. Poop is always funny. Poops and farts and butts… If you are not truly inspired by what you’re shouting at us, odds are, we aren’t either. If you can inspire us, you give us liberty to blow your mind!

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT SHORT FORM VS. LONG FORM AND VICE VERSA?

I like short form because I love making people feel things and laugh. I like long form because I love making people feel things and laugh. I like the wild and risky atmosphere of short form, and I like long form because it gives time to sit in a moment, breathe, and develop more complex characters.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR IMPROV STYLE?

I like to think of myself as a tiger, attentively waiting until the right moment, then TEARING SHIT UP. However, I have often been described as a puppy.

WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT ON STAGE?

I did a scene once where a loaded mousetrap was brought on stage, we started the scene as mice, and our faces got ever closer to the trap. We argued about who deserved the cheese. As we were both within a tongues reach of the trap, you could hear a pin drop in the audience. I still have that mousetrap.

WHAT DO YOU DO OUTSIDE OF RFT?

Nothing. I am kept in a cage in the back room and released when it’s show time. Occasionally they let me out to climb on the walls, but for the most part, I am locked in the cage with my schoolbooks. If I’m lucky, I get fed leftover poutine from Normands.

HOW DOES IMPROV COME IN HANDY IN YOUR DAY-TO-DAY LIFE?

Improv has turned my day-to-day life into a continuous bit, full of witty banter and riffs. This comes in handy when I get too serious about something that shouldn’t be gotten serious about, for I am quickly reminded about the absurdity of life. It keeps me positive, and continuously challenges me to look at world in different ways.

DESCRIBE WORKING FOR RAPID FIRE IN A SINGLE SENTENCE:

Working for Rapid Fire is ridiculous in every way.