“A Day in the Life” of Bryan Sandberg of the IGNITE! Project: Good People

June 10, 2020 Jessica da Cunha Arts, Performing Arts

“Bryan David Sandberg is a Calgary based playwright, actor, and producer. Growing up in the Philippines in a devoutly religious home, he realized he was gay at a young age, leading him to champion LGBTQ+ visibility in his adult life. He attended Trinity Western University in Langley, BC, where he cut his teeth working on theatrical productions and short films, as well as coordinating the campus improv group. As long as I’ve known him, Bryan has been enamoured with the medium of storytelling as a conduit for truth-telling, healing, and entertainment. His enthusiasm is infectious. He also really likes board games.”

~by Trevor McMahan

Bryan Sandberg
One of my favourite things to do when I travel around Canada is find a local Staples and take photos there. Why? I don’t know. I guess it’s entertaining for me to pretend Staples is a tourist attraction? Anyway! This was in Edmonton.
Bryan Sandberg I worked at Staples for nearly 5 years. This is me after leaving one of my more eventful shifts!
I worked at Staples for nearly 5 years. This is me after leaving one of my more eventful shifts!
I am a big fan of Lovecraftian horror and this Call of Cthulhu shirt is much beloved by me.
I am a big fan of Lovecraftian horror and this Call of Cthulhu shirt is much beloved by me.
I love cats! So much! This photo is from one of my many dates with my boyfriend at the Royal Cat Cafe in Kensington.
I love cats! So much! This photo is from one of my many dates with my boyfriend at the Royal Cat Cafe in Kensington.
This is me on the couch realizing I have committed to eating too many gummies in one go. Uh oh!
This is me on the couch realizing I have committed to eating too many gummies in one go. Uh oh!
I had to have a nice photo of myself taken for another project, so naturally, I opted to have my photo taken in front of the neon frog from the Zoolights sign on Stephen Avenue. Where else would you go? (Photo credit to Steven Medeiros).
I had to have a nice photo of myself taken for another project, so naturally, I opted to have my photo taken in front of the neon frog from the Zoolights sign on Stephen Avenue. Where else would you go? (Photo credit to Steven Medeiros).
One time, I had a root canal while watching Doug Ford be sworn in as premier of Ontario on TV. Wow! Some people really do get to have it all!
One time, I had a root canal while watching Doug Ford be sworn in as premier of Ontario on TV. Wow! Some people really do get to have it all!
Bryan Sandberg Photographic evidence of civil engagement! Voting is wonderful and we all need to do it!
Photographic evidence of civil engagement! Voting is wonderful and we all need to do it!

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What ‘hood are you in?

Millrise in Southwest Calgary, although I have lived in four different neighbourhoods since coming to Calgary in December 2014.

What do you do?

About 5 BC, that is 5 years Before Coronatime, I began working in the print industry. Now I sit at home working on creating narratives and playing video games, waiting patiently for the blessed day when I can get my job back.

What are you currently working on?

I am currently working on my IGNITE! festival piece, Good People, which is a non-linear narrative that unfolds across different media. When that one is done, I’ll be starting up more projects.

Where can we find your work?

Most of my work has been expressed through live performance, so not necessarily able to be “found” currently. However, check out the IGNITE! festival this year for a less ephemeral project that is very much me.