Biography

Ruffy Landayan received his BFA in theatre, with an emphasis on acting from UC Santa Barbara.

Upon receiving his degree he embarked on theatrical opportunities at The Western Stage Theatre Company in the central coast region of California. There he worked not only as an actor, but also as an assistant director, acting coach, and mentor for their Young Company Theatre Program. In the Monterey County, Landayan was a visible talent performing in Flower Drum Song, Will Rogers Follies, Annie, and the world premiere of the play The Seven Colored Flower, written and directed by Rick Kuhlman. At the Western Stage he created his performance art troupe the R.A.T. Pack, which combined acting, performance art, movement, dance, music, and spoken word into a one night performance benefiting the funding of the Young Company. He also took on the role of Chino in West Side Story for Cabrillo Music Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza and for the Pacific Repertory Theatre in Carmel.

In 2005-2006, Landayan hosted the show Nite Life Challenge for VHN-TV. He has also guest lectured for UC Santa Barbara drama classes for professors Judith Olauson and Catherine Cole. He has been trained by: Tony Award-winning director Mel Shapiro, internationally known master teacher of movement James Donlon, the Meisner technique with Jose Santana, and performance artist Rachel Rosenthal. He recently used his performance art training in the original stylized movement theatre piece Kegedawan. A play written and directed by University of Delaware graduate Denise Montgomery, performed at the Connely Theatre in New York City. Adapted from the novel Wisdom from a Rainforest by anthropologist and professor Stuart A. Schegal. There he worked as actor, choreographer, movement coach, assistant director, and mask maker.

Ruffy tours around high schools with Kaiser Permanente's Educational Theatre Programs. Here he works as an actor and health educator teaching students about STD and HIV prevention. He has toured with East West Players performing and educating America's youth with Asian American culture. He has taught slam poetry for the Leigh Steinberg Human Relations Leadership Institute, and has performed slam poetry at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York City, and at the Urban Grafitti Slam at the Warner Studios in Hollywood. He was an annual keynote performer at Corona Del Mar High School's Appreciating Diversity Day, and A Walk In My Shoes symposium at Cal State University at Fullerton. He has also appeared in the following publications: The Los Angeles Times, American Theatre Magazine, Backstage West, Minneapolis Star Tribune, OC Register, Blade Magazine, The Californian, and the Monterey County Herald.

Ruffy splits his time between Los Angeles and New York City, heavily involved with acting, performance art, hip hop dance, and writing.
- IMDb mini biography by: Jonathan Daniel