Derek, a native of Chicago, is a product of the city's thriving improv scene. As a child, he was trained under the esteemed Piven Theatre Workshop and the renowned Interlochen Arts Camp. He subsequently attended Indiana University, where he co-founded the improv troupe Full Frontal Comedy while taking classes at the iconic Second City and iO (formerly Improv Olympic).
Over the course of his illustrious career, Derek has been a mainstay of the Los Angeles improv community, performing and teaching for over two decades. He has had the privilege of performing at i.O. West with Opening Night: The Improvised Musical! for over 1,000 performances.
After touring with Second City at Sea, Derek landed the series "The Hills: According to Me" for MTV, where he played over 20 roles. He then went on to star in the Comedy Central series "Secret Girlfriend," playing the role of Phil and serving as a consulting writer. In TBS' hour-long comedy "Wedding Band," Derek played Barry, the band's drummer, an instrument he had never played before. The show released 40 songs on iTunes.
Derek co-wrote the pilot "Mid to Late" with Nicole Parker, starring Eliza Coupe and Ryan Hansen. He has also acted and written alongside SNL cast members Chris Redd and Alex Moffat on the NBC Untitled Sketch Show.
Currently, Derek is working in the UK, where he continues to hone his craft and entertain audiences with his unique brand of humor and wit.
