About Dan

Born in Edinburgh, Scotland Dan grew up in New Zealand from the age of one. He is now a professional comedian, improviser and circus artist based in Christchurch, New Zealand. He has been a full time entertainer since 2002 when he graduated from circus training school CIRCO ARTS after two years of training.

Achievements

Since then he has been employed by the Court Jesters,the most successful professional improvisational theatre troupe in New Zealand. Here he regularly performs in, or is MC for Scared Scriptless the country's longest running comedy show. In addition his improvisational and comedy skills have placed him in front of a wide audience from high school students and corporate clients to the Prime Minister of New Zealand.

Dan is also Creative Dictator of his own theatrical and multimedia production company Noosed Octopus. Under this umbrella he has toured the world as a street performer, appearing at such prestigious events as the Halifax Buskers Festival, the Singapore River BuskersFestival and the Edmonton Fringe*.

As a stand up comedian, he has also performed nationwide in three NZ Comedy Festivals and at universities,casinos and comedy clubs with his unique blend of circus skills, flights of bizarre imagination, cheerful nihilism and quick wit.

While not performing, he works as a writer for theatre film and radio. Noted works include the silent children's shows A Paintbox of Clowns, Why Are My Parents So Boring and a silent interpretation of Hansel and Gretel. For adult theatre his works include Gameplan a commission for 'Young and Hungry' to be produced in 2012 and Stag Weekend.

All this and UniSmart too.

Dan was invited to join the UniSmart line up as a presenter in December 2008 and has completed five university tours since then. He is an engaging and quick witted presenter who also has the distinction of being the first to be invited to direct new UniSmart talent. His first protegee will be recruited in 2011.