This week's personality is Dave Ruark. A professional actor who works in a variety of venues downtown, he is also an original member of ComedySportz. Dave is originally from Danville, he now resides in the Old Northside of Indianapolis.

What made you want to become an actor?

The stage is a comfortable place to take risks. It usually ensures that I have something to do on Friday and Saturday nights.

If you hadn't become a performer, what might you have done professionally?

I'm a computer geek and have found a happy way to indulge both my interests.

Can you tell us about your first big break?

In improv, getting cast in Below the Belt, a professional improv troupe that became ComedySportz Indianapolis. Theatrically, getting a role at the American Cabaret Theatre. Back in the mid-nineties the Cabaret was an exciting, maddening, creative sweatshop and I learned a lot.

What are some of your favorite moments on stage?

I have several, otherwise why keep doing it? Playing Che in "Evita" at American Cabaret Theatre; the night I stopped the show as the King in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at Civic Theatre; performing with Peggy Platt and Lisa Koch, aka "Dos Fallopia" in "Ham for the Holidays" at the Phoenix Theatre; every performance of "When Pigs Fly!" at Theatre on the Square; the lifeboat scene in "An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein" at IndyFringe 2006. I got to say the worst word you can ever say and made hundreds of people laugh!; singing the Johanna Reprise in "Sweeney Todd" at the Scottish Rite; and returning to ACT in "The Full Monty."

What's the last thing you saw on stage that had a big impact on you?

A couple of years ago IRT did a Tom Stoppard play called "Arcadia." It took place in both the past and the present. There was a brief, simple moment in the play when the past and present connected: a character in the past placed a flower in a book and a character from the present pulled the pressed flower from the book moments later, bringing this huge, emotional, epic sweep to the play. It was kind of breathtaking and one of those experiences that could only feel complete in live theatre.

If you could swap places with one person for a day, who would it be?

Steve Jobs

What are a few of your favorite books?

"The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams, "Small Gods and anything else" by Terry Pratchett

How about websites?

Gizmodo, Boing Boing, NY Times

Tell us about your current project?

"Midlife: The Crisis Musical" is my current show. It runs through November 25 at Theatre On The Square. It's a fast-paced musical comedy revue about growing older. It's a lot of fun; I get to play a lot of different characters. The music is great and the lyrics are hilarious in the hilarious bits and poignant in the poignant bits. I love working with the cast: Cathy Mobley, Bill Book, Cindy Phillips, Darrin Gowan, and Natalie Cruz.

What was unique about the development and rehearsal process?

This is one of the most seasoned casts I've ever worked with. It seems like there's perhaps 2 degrees of separation from any one of us to every other person in Indianapolis theatre. We all worked together well and put the show together in a relatively short time, dealing with all sorts of schedules.

What's the funniest thing that happened in rehearsals?

We were always laughing, In my solo, Turning Forty, I was using a party blower that had problems with flaccidity. Since this is a Ron Spencer show, we kept the bit in. It's one of those rehearsal laughs that the audience can enjoy too.

What is on the horizon?

I'll be joining two of my Midlife buddies, Natalie Cruz and Bill Book, in "Home For The Holidays" at American Cabaret Theatre. And I have my eye on at least three productions that have been announced for next year.

"Spotlight on..." is a continuing interview series