He grew up in Maryland, in a working class neighborhood outside of D.C. Hip-Hop, football, and daydreaming occupied his time.
Football led to a Division I sports scholarship. As an undersized D-Lineman at The Citadel (The Military College of South Carolina) he became a 4 year letterman and team captain.
That made him smile… He likes underdogs.
He spent several years of his life working in office cubicles. Then it was suggested he take an improv class to improve sales. Let’s just say… He never turned back.
He’s appeared Off-Broadway (Atlantic Theater Company), regionally (Trinity Rep, Studio Theatre, American Repertory Theater) and internationally at the historic Moscow Art Theater.
Classically trained with a Master’s Degree in acting from the A.R.T. Institute for Advanced Theater Training at Harvard University, Dereks is a down to earth everyman with a heavenly voice.
He consistently elevates work with soul, irony, and wit.
Dereks… with an ‘s.”
He’s a damn good actor.