Height: 5’10” | Eyes: Brown |
Weight: 200lbs. | Hair: Black |
University of San Diego Old Globe Theatre / MFA – Acting
East Carolina University Department of Theatre (2 years)
In 2000, I put my NYC/LA acting pursuits on hold to raise my daughter. Now that she is in college, I have returned to the bi-coastal life of an actor.
“Better once than never, for never too late!”
– William Shakespeare
Law & Order / NBC / Refuge / Wallace Roney
Homicide: Life of the Street / NBC / Fits Like a Glove / Detective
One Life to Live / ABC / Gambler
Unsolved Mysteries / NBC / The Chameleon / Johnny Stewart
Matlock / NBC / The Mark / Officer
Matlock / NBC / The Deadly Dose / Paramedic
From Faith to Freedom / Independent / Writer, Director, Producer Simple Justice / PBS / John Hope Franklin
Hamlet / Claudius / Met Theatre, LA / John F. Boca
Othello / Roderigo / Met Theatre, LA / John F. Boca
Old Settler / Husband (u/s) / Primary Stages, NYC / Hall Scott
Driving Miss Daisy / Hoke / Willingham Theatre, NC / Ron Stacker Thompson
The Sting of the White Roses/ Oscar Buchanan / NC Black Repertory Company / Jackie Alexander
Othello / Othello / Arkansas Shakespeare Festival / David Alford
Topdog/Underdog / Lincoln / Highland Repertory Theatre / Andrew Gall
Picasso at the Lapin Agile / Henry / Warehouse Theatre / Dr. Roy Fluhrer
The Winter’s Tale / Leontes / Warehouse Theatre / Matt Ernest
The Cherry Orchard / Lopakin / Warehouse Theatre / Jack Young
Play On! / Mars + ensemble / Old Globe Theatre / Sheldon Epps
Old Settler / Husband / Old Globe Theatre / Seret Scott
The Comedy of Errors / Pinch / Old Globe Theatre / John Rando
Miss Evers’ Boys / Caleb Humphries / Charlotte Repertory Theatre / Mark Woods
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom / Levee Green / Quest Theatre / Betty Waldron
Taming of the Shrew / Pedant / NC Shakespeare Festival / Lou Rackoff
The Boys Next Door / Lucien P. Smith / Messick Theatre / Don Biehn
Fox on the Fairway / Bingham / Twin City Stage / Phillip Powell
Leading Ladies / Maxine + Leo / Twin City Stage / Mark Pirolo
A Time to Kill / Carl Lee Hailey / Twin City Stage / Mark Pirolo
“If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well it were done quickly.”
– William Shakespeare
DREAM When I was three years old, I ran on a football field in full uniform during the middle of a high school game that my father was coaching. I am told that I was, “…ready to play!” and that everyone there found it very amusing. To this day, my folks don’t know if that was the eventual college football player that was in me, or the actor that was waiting to emerge. Either way, the commitment was there!
BELIEVE Commitment to acting began as a dare for me my senior year in high school. During college that commitment took full shape and ignited an insatiable passion for the craft. I wasn’t ‘bitten by a bug,’ nor was I trying to impress a girl or anyone for that matter. There is some – force – drive – propelling me, even as a toddler, telling me: this is what you are called to do.
MOVE As I have pursued this calling, the ups and downs of my journey have made my commitment clearer and more specific. My commitment is not simply about acting. My commitment is about service. Service to others. Acting is just one of the conduits to do that. The best way I serve others is by inspiring them. Whether as a collegiate instructor, certified teacher, director, filmmaker, or day-to-day encounters – providing inspiration to someone else is what I do.
PURPOSE I love the craft of acting; but I also recognize my true commitment: know God and serve others. Those words are my purpose. I encourage anyone: “Do what you love. Stay positive at what you do. Work to create positive outcomes. By committing to this, you will find your purpose or (undoubtedly) your purpose will find you! And with your purpose – pursue it with fervor and unapologetically.”
© 2019 DERRICK PARKER