معرفی
Derek Van Barham serves as Artist Faculty in Theatre at Roosevelt University's Chicago College of Performing Arts, teaching Acting for Musical Stage and Directing. He concurrently holds leadership roles as Producing Artistic Director of Kokandy Productions and ensemble member of Red Tape Theatre.
His academic credentials include a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from CCPA/Roosevelt University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of Mississippi.
Barham specializes in musical theatre direction and choreography with emphases on queer narratives and experimental staging. His signature style integrates contemporary social commentary with classical theatrical techniques, particularly evident in LGBTQ+ themed productions that challenge traditional performance boundaries and explore intersectional identities.
Major honors include:
- Double Jeff Award nominations for Songs from an Unmade Bed and Evil Dead The Musical
- 13 Broadway World Chicago Award nominations across directing and choreography categories
- Recognition in Windy City Times' 30 Under 30 for LGBTQ+ community impact
Barham maintains active industry engagement through ongoing collaborations with Chicago's premier theatre companies including Kokandy Productions, PrideArts, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and Black Button Eyes Productions. His current creative pipeline features Peter & The Starcatcher (Big Noise Theatre), Whisper House (Black Button Eyes), and Two Remain (Chicago Fringe Opera).
