UNIVERSES

Changing the face of American Theater...

NINJA (William Ruiz)

Home base: Santurce, PR; Lower East Side (NYC)

Favorite book: 1984, Outlaw Bible of Poetry

Favorite movie: Braveheart

Favorite Visual Artist: Viajero, Tats Cru, Betsy Casañas

Poetic Influences: Miguel Pinero, Willie Perdomo, Bob Holman

Musical Influence: Wu Tang, Nas, Big Pun & Tom Waits

William a.k.a. Ninja Ruiz (UNIVERSES) Born and raised on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, William received his B.A. in Theater from Bard College where he studied under the tutelage of JoAnne Akalaitis and Elizabeth Smith. He also studied poetry with Bob Holman. Acting credits include: Universes’ AMERIVILLE directed by Chay Yew; Universes’ SLANGUAGE directed by Jo Bonney; Jack Kerouack’s TI-JEAN BLUES, adapted and directed by JoAnne Akalaitis (NY); Nicole Quinn’s TREE TAILS directed by Shelly Wyant (NY); Oscar Wild’s SALOME directed by Nick Jones (NY); Anthony Rivera’s LATIN HOWEL directed by Todd A. Jackson (NY); Nicky Cruz’s RUN BABY RUN directed by Chris Fredricks (Houston Astro-Dome, TX). Playwriting/Directing Credits: AMERIVILLE, and WAITING FOR GORDO an adaptation of Samuel Beckett’s WAITING FOR GODOT. Other Affiliations: Founder of InVerso (poetic/musical collective based out of Puerto Rico); 2008 Jazz@Lincoln Center Rhythm Road Tour (Ambassador of Music), he is also a member of the Network of Ensemble Theaters (NET). Publications: UNIVERSES-THE BIG BANG (Fall 2010 release, TCG Books)