NAME: Rob Demery
HEIGHT: 5'11"
WEIGHT: 175 lbs.
HAIR: Black
EYES: Dark Brown
TALENT: Acting, Motivational Speaking, Voice-overs, Writing, Directing, Performing Workshops, Producing, Sports
EDUCATION: B.A. in Speech and Theatre- Jackson State University, Jackson, MS
ROB DEMERY, having grown up in Flint, MI, is a native of Pine Bluff Arkansas. He is a 2007 graduate of Jackson State University (JSU) in Jackson, MS with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication and Theatre. Rob's acting career began in Flint, MI in the production The Watsons Go to Birmingham by playwright Christopher Paul Curtis. He made history with MADDRAMA Performance Troupe by becoming the first president of the campus organization. Some of his stage credits include SARAFINA (Silence), To Kill A Mockingbird (Tom Robinson), A Christmas Carol (Fred), Othello The Remix (Othello), A Soldier’s Story (Corporal Cobb),The Waiting Room (Midwest premiere of Samm-Art Williams)((Riley Innes)), The Lion and the Jewel(White Seveyor/School Boy), Robert Johnson: Trick The Devil (Lem),No Land’s Man (Dred Scott) and An Evening of Poetry and Drama: Featuring Nikki Giovanni and MADDRAMA. He has excellent experience as a director and a film actor. Most recently, Rob was featured in The Dynamiter (Henry) and RED (A Visitor) starring Morgan Freeman and Bruce Willis. The Dynamiter premiered at the 2011 Crossroads Film Festival at Malco Grandview Theatre in Madison, MS and was recently broadcast on the Bravo TV Network. Rob was chosen by the National Association of Dramatic and Speech Arts, Inc. as an All-Star Cast member for his role in the play Konvergence presented at the 69th Annual Conference in Memphis and also received an Excellent Rating for his original play, I Give My All. He was also chosen as the All-Star Cast member for his role in Ceremonies in Dark Old Men (Theo) presented at the 71st Annual Conference in Dallas, TX. Rob was given the opportunity to pay poetic tribute to stage and screen actress Tonea Stewart at the conference in Memphis. Additionally, Rob has been afforded the opportunity to travel and perform extensively throughout the country with different theatre companies and has several upcoming scheduled performances. In April, Rob performed in New Stage Theatre's production of A Soldier's Play (Corporal Cobb) and also served as Assistant Director for the show.
In 2005, Rob spent a summer interning at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters in Dallas working under the supervision of Curtis King and Akin Babatunde'. During the internship, Rob formed relationships with some of the industry's most highly respected entertainers including Obba Babatunde', Kim Fields, Kiki' Shepherd, Phyllis Stickney, Sharon King, Russell Hornsby, Erykah Badu, and the legendary, Ruby Dee. In 2008, he received further training by completing a one year residency with the St. Louis Black Repertory Company. A member of Public Awareness Company, a Detroit, Michigan touring company (2005-2011), MADDRAMA Performance Troupe (2004-2007), St. Louis Black Repertory Theatre Company (2007-2008), Climb Theatre (2009), Red Light Performing Arts Company (2007-2011), Mr. Demery has traveled to over forty different states performing to educate youth. He is also the Casting Director/Director for Public Awareness. While continuing to perform, Demery has served as head acting instructor for New Stage Theatre’s (Jackson, MS) summer camp since 2008. He served as actor/road manager for the national touring company, CLIMB Theatre, in St. Paul, Minnesota during the summer/fall of 2009.
Before recently moving to Atlanta from Mississippi, Rob has engaged his efforts full-throttle in the development of his own company. Rob Demery is currently the Founder/Artistic Director of Red Light Performing Arts Company (Red Light). Red Light’s mission is to enhance intelligence, creativity, and social skills in young people by continually applying quality productions/workshops universal to diverse audiences. Red Light helps youth and young adults motivate themselves to grow socially and emotionally, examine stereotypes, and gain new understandings about life with one another. At age 27, he has over twelve years of experience working with youth. Since 2010, Rob has had many contracts with the Canton Public School District and Holmes County School District performing over one hundred skits and plays, for thousands of students, as well as after school programs and Saturday acting camps. Rob Demery has produced and is directing his own show “REVOLUTIONIZED”, which has toured in Alabama and Arkansas (2010). By the end of next year, Be Careful of the Traffic and Bad Rhythm will be toured. Mr. Demery has started a book scholarship fund for Jackson State University’s speech and theatre students. The scholarships will be awarded to winning essays and auditions/interviews giving by students pursuing their dreams. You can find more about Red Light services at www.redlightarts.com.