Derek Morgan

Biography

Derek Morgan is a native of East Harlem (Spanish Harlem) in New York City. As a youth, Derek performed in community theatre in the winter, and stock theatre programs in the summers on a federal grant. While attending Benjamin Franklin High School, Derek had a chance meeting with George C. Scott in the lobby of Circle in the Square Theatre in Manhattan. Still in high school, Derek got a role in the long running radio show "Compositions Live," on WBAI Pacifica Radio. Derek stayed with the show until graduation from high school. Then, Derek did a tour of duty as a U.S. Navy medic. Honorably discharged in San Diego and on his way to Los Angeles, Derek made a stop at California State University at Fullerton where he earned a Bachelors degree in acting. After graduation, someone told Derek about this great theatre experience in Los Angeles. So, Derek found his way up to Los Angeles and went to "work" at Inner City Cultural Center. It was a big building filled with theatre spaces of all kinds. There had to be 7 or 8 theaters in that building and there was a show in every one of them. Derek appeared in "Fight the Good Fight," with Chip Fields as writer and director, "Purlie Victorious," directed by Hal Dewindt, the national touring company of "The Meeting," written by Jeff Stetson and directed by Hal Dewindt, and the national touring company "Diary of A Black Man," directed by Leslie Small and produced by Danny Hodges to name a few projects. "Inner City was a big entertainment family with lots of love and plenty of competition." He later moved on to the Victory Theater in Burbank and appeared in the world premiere of "T-Bone and Weasel," written by Jon Klein. While on tour with the musical "Hair," a talent agent spotted him in Chicago and offered representation. Derek was not sure he wanted to continue in show business. A random encounter with Ben Gazzara in New York inspired him to keep going. "We talked for over an hour right there on Madison Ave." Derek accepted the offer and went to Los Angeles to a lead performance in the critically acclaimed theatrical production of "Black Olive," which led to his NAACP Theatre Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor simultaneously booking roles on television. Derek had memorable adventures on television shows such as "For The People," on Lifetime, and "Joan of Arcadia," on CBS, "Thief," on FXNetwork. Derek is proud of the film "Found In Time," written, directed, and produced by Arthur Vincie. It's a film about experiencing past, present, and future in a jigsaw puzzle.