Photo by Andrew Max Levy

Ruha Taslimi is a multi-hyphenate creative artist and performer.  Most prominently working as an improviser, actor, writer, director, choreographer and dancer.

They grew up in LA, also known as “Iran-geles” because over half a million Iranians live there. Most of them are doctors or lawyers, Ruha is one of the precious few who do improv comedy. Their family thinks Ruha should “not be so proud of that, it’s embarrassing”. 

Ruha is known for their work on the cult-hit streaming service Dropout. Their family has never heard of Dropout so it only reminds them that Ruha dropped out of college after almost four years because they got mono. They’ve appeared in Cursed Friends (Comedy Central), which according to their family is “not HBO”, Blocks (Sundance 2020) — “who dance?” asks Ruha’s dad while still holding out hope that they come back to work at Taslimi Construction.

They perform at Upright Citizens Brigade weekly on UCB House teams like Dance Club Remix; monthly with a show they created and co-produce: QT’s presents Joy; and occasionally with Asssscat and Assssketch, UCB’s signature improv and sketch shows. They perform at Dynasty Typewriter with Bad Drag Race, The Muppet Script Live and they directed/performed in To the Hollow.

If all goes well they will never work at Taslimi Construction again.