Indomitable and irreplaceable, alumnus Bruce McCulloch storms the stage of the Bella
McCulloch backstage at the Bella Concert Hall ahead of his show, Dark Purple Slice. Annemarie Potyondi/Mount Royal University
On Thursday, April 9,
Bruce McCulloch of the legendary comedy troupe
The Kids in the Hall found himself right back where his comedy career started — in the heart of Calgary. An MRU (then MRC) alumnus, McCulloch met with the Department of Alumni Relations for a Q&A before his show to reminisce about his college years ahead of his evening performance at the
Bella Concert Hall.
Did MRU prepare you for your comedy career and did you ever start an improv group in college?
Actually, no. MRU did not help me in my improv career. What MRU did was help me figure out my path. I took business in my first year, and I got 30 per cent, which, if you know how marks work, is not a very good number. So the next year, I took journalism and PR, and I always thought I would be a writer. I wrote for the MRU paper, The Reflector, because that was my dream then — to write for National Lampoon.
In my last year, I went to Loose Moose Theatre, walked in, and saw improv comedy, and that’s what changed my life. MRU nurtured me and got me ready for that next step.
McCulloch when he wrote for The Reflector. MRU Alumni Instagram
Can you tell us a little bit about improv’s roots at the Loose Moose in Calgary?
It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. I felt like I was coming out of the closet — it was that important to me, viscerally. Loose Moose Theatre is still around, and I owe a great debt to all those people. What I loved about that place was that they allowed you to do whatever you wanted, and the audience would tell you if it was good or not.
Some of the principles I learned there have been the skill set of my entire life.
What does it mean to you to come back and perform at MRU at this stage in your career?
It’s lovely to come back to campus. I didn’t go to the Pancake House — I don’t even know if it’s still there — but it’s really lovely. I was an outsider then. I was a punk, and I would carry my books in a Glad garbage bag, but everyone was so nice to me.
Even just driving up here, I can feel all the great memories flooding back.
McCulloch points at his signed portrait. Annemarie Potyondi/Mount Royal University
If a Kids in the Hall sketch was filmed at MRU, what would it be about?
Probably some weird professor who thinks a lot of himself and has been teaching the same class for 30 years. The pompous professor would be played by Dave Foley. Kevin would be a snivelling assistant. Mark would be a chancellor walking around, glaring at everyone. Scott — well, Scott would be the flamboyant one.
What’s your best piece of advice for MRU’s graduating class of 2026?
Just be yourself. I always say, do what only you can do. A lot of people impersonate someone else until they find their own thing. Be fearless.
I do know it’s a very complicated time now. I have children who are 19 and 21. There’s an existential angst going on — how can anyone afford to live? What’s their place?
Trust that you will find your place. For many years, I had no clue, and then it snapped for me. And here I am.
What did failure or uncertainty look like for you when you were starting out, and how did you push through it?
Here’s the thing. I’m considered a fairly successful person, but everything I’ve done … some things worked, and many didn’t. I have failed so much.
Failure is not a bad thing. It makes you tough. It may take you to a different place in your career, your life, that you didn’t know about. My first one-man show was called Trapped in a Lawn Chair, and the review was titled Trapped in a Theatre Seat.
It’s like, oh — you can still live. The next night, I got a great review from another paper. Trust yourself and trust your path.
McCulloch performing his latest comedy album, Dark Purple Slice, at the Bella Concert Hall. Annemarie Potyondi/Mount Royal University
Bruce went on to perform his latest comedy album,
Dark Purple Slice, for fans at the Bella.
Experience performances from global masters and emerging artists alike.
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