Sam Wills
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Sam Wills is a 28 year old professional prop-comic residing in Auckland, New Zealand. On stage he performs as "The boy with tape on his face" or as one half of the two person act "Spitroast" or simply as Sam Wills[1]. He performs regularly on the New Zealand Comedy Circuit and appeared in the NZ International Comedy Festival in May 2007[2].
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[edit] Biography
Sam Wills began his performing career in Timaru at the age of thirteen while he trained as an apprentice clown. He has since mastered a diverse range of performance styles and skills. He holds a diploma in New Circus from Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology's Circus School where he has taught juggling there for two years. His interest in the phenomenon of traditional circus freak shows and influences such as the Jim Rose Circus and the Tokyo Shock Boys led to experiments with shock comedy, earning him his first Pulp Comedy appearance, the Best New Face award for the 2001 season, and the title ‘Prince of Cringe’ from Truth and TV Extra magazine.
Until 2001, Sam was a driving force in the Christchurch entertainment scene, featured at balls, private functions and corporate events; running weekly comedy nights and appearing on local television.
January 2002 saw Sam move to Auckland to become resident comedian at the casino in SKYCITY Auckland. His weekly show, the NCB Comedy Hour, is now in its fourth year and continues to push the boundaries of comedy performance with its blend of circus skill and vaudeville style.
[edit] Notable Performances
Sam performed as the MC of the Late Club at the Auckland Festival in 2005 (AK05) and for First Night at the Aotea Centre. He has also performed at the World Buskers' Festival in 2004, 2005 and 2008. He was a consistent performer on Pulp Comedy during its three seasons on TV2. He performed on the red carpet for the World Premier of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King in Wellington. He was the support act for David Strassman's 2003 tour of New Zealand. He has also performed at private functions for the New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark and the King of Tonga George Tupou V.
[edit] Awards
Sam received the New Zealand's highest comedy honours, the Billy T Award for his show Dance Monkey Dance: The Evolution of Sam Wills in 2005. He also received Pulp Comedy's Best New Face Award in 2001. In 2007, Sam received the "Best Show" and "Best Poster" award.
