DEREK ROLAND
DIRECTOR / CHOREOGRAPHER / TEACHER / PERFORMER
About Derek...
Originally from Rochester NY, Derek received a BFA in Theatre Performance from Niagara University, and his performance credits include National Tours of Kiss Me Kate (Bill Calhoun), Showboat, Cinderella and Funny Girl, as well as the Italian Tour of West Side Story. New York Credits include the NY Fringe Festival, American Theater of Actors, The York Theater, The Actors Playground, Merkin Concert Hall, and the New York Musical Theater Festival's "Freshly Tossed."
Derek continues to study tap with teachers such as Ray Hesselink, Randy Skinner, Barbara Duffy, Derick Grant, Roxane Butterfly, Max Pollack, and Jason Samuels Smith, and has performed in Tap City at the Duke Theater and the ATDF's Winter Tap Intensive, as well as Sonnets On Tap at the Public Theater. He has taught at Steps on Broadway, New Dance Group and Broadway Dance Center as well as Master Classes at Universities and Studio's across the US and Canada.
Derek is now turning his attention to Directing and Choreography, and his work has been featured at venues such as the New Victory Theater, Lincoln Center Institute, the Public Theater, Vital Theater Company, 59E59 Theaters, Cape Rep Theater, Emerging Artists Theatre, NYMF (07, 08 and '10) and New World Stages. Most recently Derek completed a run as Andy Lee in 42nd Street at Westchester Broadway Theatre, which was directed and choreographed by Randy Skinner.
Derek is also a company member of 2 time Drama Desk Nominated Parallel Exit Physical Theatre Company in New York City ( www.parallelexit.com ) He co-created and co-choreographed their new tap show, TIME STEP, about which the New York Times said "It’s a reminder of how eloquently the body can speak and of how little it takes to create entertainment." TIME STEP recently transferred to the New Victory Theater. Their current show "EXIT STAGE LEFT" is slated for a German Tour in 2014!
Derek is a member of Actors Equity Association.
