Derek, a Chicago native, is a product of that city's improv scene. As a child he was trained under the Piven Theatre Workshop and Interlochen Arts Camp. He attended Indiana University where he co-founded improv troupe Full Frontal Comedy while taking classes at Second City and iO (formerly Improv Olympic.) Derek has been a mainstay of the L.A. improv community - performing and teaching for over 15 years. He still performs at i.O. West with Opening Night: The Improvised Musical! in over 650 performances.