Eric Trules, more commonly known as just "Trules", is a recently-retired Associate Professor of Theatre Practice Emeritus at USC’s School of Dramatic Arts, where he has been a faculty member since 1986. He has also been a Fulbright Scholar in American Studies, an Allen Ginsberg Poetry Award winner, and a documentary filmmaker ("The Poet and the Con"). He is also currently a travel blogger and podcaster ("e-travels with e. trules"), a spoken word artist, and a solo performer. In former lives, he has been a modern dancer, poet, actor, screenwriter, director, producer, and most proudly, a professional clown. He ran for Mayor of New York City as clown candidate, Gino Cumeezi, and he finished "5th out of 4 candidates". See more about him at: http://www.erictrules.com.