Sam Rocha Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Illinois, United States

- I regularly fill in for classes from K-12 in the Chicago area whose teachers aren’t available, quickly picking up a lesson plan, establishing leadership and running an active and engaged class.

Remote

• I research and write reviews and retrospectives for online publication AwardsWatch, a site dedicated to film criticism, Oscars coverage, and interviewing industry game-changers.
• I've learned to adapt my writing to fit the AwardsWatch brand and style, take notes quickly and efficiently from my editor, and create copy according to SEO optimization.
• Recently hired by popular film publication WatchMojo to create scripts for their YouTube videos.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

• Professional stand-up comic in the city of Chicago with bookings every month at The Laugh Factory, Zanies, The Lincoln Lodge, the Kibbitznest and more.
• Producer of popular musical comedy variety show "On Air with Bev" at The Lincoln Lodge.
• Come see a show! Dates and clips available on Instagram page.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

• Developed, wrote for, performed in and promoted a final sketch showcase in the ETC theater to a sold-out audience.
• Learned how to effectively and quickly apply notes to create work that was sometimes slightly tweaked, and sometimes completely evolved.
• Collaborated in a writer's room-like environment to create live performances in various Second City theaters every week.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

• Assisted Comedy Writing and Performance professors Ric Walker and Anne Libera in creating and delivering lessons, supporting students through feedback and tutoring, grading assignments, and organizing lesson plans.
• Produced and developed "Stand Up for Visible Faces", a Columbia College-sponsored stand-up fundraising event. Oversaw students' auditions, handled promotional materials, and polled and interacted with students to learn.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

• Wrote for and was a main cast member in main stage comedy plays "Are You There, God? It's Me, Katniss Everdeen" (Spring 2021) and "Death of a Streetcar Named Virginia Woolf" (Winter 2021).
• Fully wrote, developed and performed in two-person opening sketch act for "Comedy Cabaret" (October 2021).
• Wrote and performed one-woman segment featured in "The 30-Minute Variety Hour" (November 2021).

Chicago, Illinois, United States

• Performed as a featured comic in charity fundraiser Stand-Up for Visible Faces at The Getz Theater.
• Collaborated with staff to coordinate style and visibility of show.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

• Wrote and performed stand-up at sold-out final showcase in September.
• Took and applied notes from guest speakers, often successful comics, on their experience and advice.
• Worked as a greeter for various stand-up shows, seating and communicating with guests.

Greater Los Angeles Area

• Became well-versed in improv from going through classes A, B and Basic with instruction from Guy Stevenson and Henry Watkins.
• Learned the value in commitment to characterization in comedy-- I found writing is most natural when building from a foundation of in-depth point of view.

Santa Barbara, California

• Drove sales of memberships through customer relationship-building and studied knowledge of store promotions and program features.
• Operated cash register and POS to process sales transactions and handle payments.
• Worked in the jewelry & clothing department, where I stocked, organized and designed window and indoor displays.

Santa Barbara, California

• Executed store signage and other visual elements like window and indoor displays (pictured below), meeting company standards and increasing visibility.
• Worked with suppliers and distributors to stock items such as various office supplies.
• Collaborated with vendors to obtain and develop desired products, such as greeting cards and postcards.

Santa Barbara, California Area

• Earned Employee of the Month twice in a row for top sales of VIP memberships before the store's close in January 2016.
• Engaged with guests daily to understand customer needs and make recommendations.
• Trained new employees on company policies and strong sales techniques.

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, Theatre - Comedy Writing & Performance, 3.8

Activities and Societies: Panel Moderator, Columbia Laughs Festival (2022) Contributing Writer, The Wabash Humor Magazine Manifest 2022.

Associate Of Arts - Aa, Film/Cinema/Video Studies, 3.7

Activities and Societies: Writer/Director, "Stay Beautiful" (2018) Short Writer/Performer, "Poker Sundays" (2018) Short.