Acting for Musical Stage, Directing
About Me
Derek Van Barham (he/him) is a queer director and choreographer based in Chicago. He is the Producing Artistic Director of Kokandy Productions. He previously served as Associate Artistic Director of Pride Films & Plays (now PrideArts) and Artistic Director of The Ruckus. Directing credits include Children of Eden in Concert (Broadway in Chicago), Sweeney Todd and Head Over Heels (Kokandy); The View Upstairs (Circle Theatre); Three Days of Rain (Boho Theatre); Baby with the Bathwater (Eclipse); Miracle by Dan Savage, Poseidon, Skooby Don’t (Hell in a Handbag); Hot Pink, TRASH (New American Folk); Taylor Mac’s A Walk Across America for Mother Earth (CCPA); From These Fatal Loins (The Ruckus); Homos, or Everyone in America, Perfect Arrangement, Angry Fags in Steppenwolf Garage Rep, Songs from an Unmade Bed (Jeff nomination), and PRISCILLA, Queen of the Desert (PFP). He was named one of Windy City Times 30 Under 30, recognizing individuals from Chicago's LGBTQ community.
- Master of Fine Arts Acting — CCPA/²Ø¾«¸ó
- Bachelor of Fine Arts Acting — University of Mississippi