Chris Sams



BATS Coach since: 2005

Chris Sams, the current director of BATS Improv's On-The-Go programs, joined BATS Improv coaching staff in January 2005. He enjoys teaching Foundation level series classes and specialty classes such as Improv for Business People. 

Chris delights in using improvisational theater technique as a trainer-facilitator with BATS Improv's On-The-Go training program to teach spontaneity, adaptability, creativity, leadership, storytelling, communication/listening, ensemble and team building. Chris has led workplace workshops for more than two dozen companies and corporate teams, including UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education, Stanford University, UCSF Cancer Center, Genentech, Kaiser Permanente, Old Navy, Symantec, Google, and ZS Associates. His professional background is in non-profit management.

Chris has performed improv in a variety of groups and settings: Aussie Rules Theatresports, All-Star Theatresports, Micetro All-Stars, Sunday Player shows (2002-2004), and Rock & Roll halftime dancers with BATS Improv; hosted Rock & Roll Theatresports, Gorilla Theatre, and Summer Games Theatresports with BATS Main Stage Company; San Francisco Fringe Festival: Bet On the Moment with Theatre Roulette; You Bet Your Improvisor (2005, 2006, 2007), Improv Survivor and The Short and the Long of It with Un-Scripted Theater; CATS (California TheatreSports) Tournament and Laughstock in Ventura, CA, representing BATS Improv.  Most recently, he debuted and directed The Blank Show (2010) at BATS Improv, where he hosts the improvised game show on select Sundays.


Q & A with Chris Sams

First BATS Show: 

A Theatresports show

Favorite Formats: 

Theatresports, The Harold, Shakespeare, Double Feature, Bond Improvised Bond, The Blank Show

Best Moment on the BATS Stage: 

Usually the current one.  From my own past personal experience, playing a scene with Takashi, a Japanese improviser visiting for Summer School.

Improv Advice: 

Ask yourself: Could the opposite also be true?

Artistic Influences: 

Stephen Colbert, Amy Sedaris, Christopher Guest & company, Steve Carell, Ellen DeGeneres, Mike Albo, BATS Main Stage Company

Favorite Movies: 

Waiting for Guffman, Amelie, Clue, Clueless, Saved!, American Beauty, Election, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, 9 to 5, Brokeback Mountain, Billy Elliot, The Goonies, The Princess Bride, Up in the Air

Favorite Music: 

Classics include Dolly Parton, Dixie Chicks, and musicals from Hedwig to Jesus Christ Superstar!  Most  recently, I am into the creative, hilarious stylings of internet sensations Bo Burnham and Total Eclipse of the Heart: Literal Video Version.

Favorite Theatre:   

Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind (produced by the Neo-Futurists, a theatre company in Chicago), BATS Improv, Un-Scripted, R.I.P.E. Theatre, and several solo performance shows (including those of Mike Albo and Ann Randolph)