Rob Demery

ROB DEMERY 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 (Byran). Some of his stage credits are: SARAFINA (Silence), Lombardi (Dave Robinson), To Kill A Mockingbird (Tom Robinson), A Christmas Carol (Fred), Othello The Remix (Othello), A Soldier’s Story (Corporal Cobb), Power To The Eight (Danny), The Waiting Room (Midwest premiere of Samm-Art Williams)(Riley Innes)), The Lion and the Jewel (White Surveyor/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. 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. In April 2011, Rob performed in New Stage Theatre's production of A Soldier's Play (Corporal Cobb) and also served as Assistant Director for the show. Rob most recent credits are Muhammad Ali in Fetch Clay, Make Man at Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre,Tony, in the World Premiere, Too Heavy For Your Pocket, at Alliance Theatre, John in the Regional Broadway premiere, Holler If Ya Hear Me, at Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre, Soldier/Paul in a regional premiere of Cardboard Piano at Actors Express, and Tyrone Ewing and Judge Victor Bolden in the World Premiere of Good Faith at Yale Repertory Theatre. Rob recently made his broadway debut of A Soldier's Play, starring David Alan Grier and Blair Underwood. This production has been nominated for seven Tony's Awards, including Best Revival of a Play and Best Director (Kenny Leon). One of Rob's most cherished memories on stage is performing a reading of Our Town with the Avengers at The Fox Theatre. The efforts raised over one million dollars for hurricane victims in Puerto Rico. He is most known for his recent portrayal of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Lifetime hit movie, MAHALIA!



After having much success in theatre as an actor and director, Rob has started adding film to his resume. He was in the BET hit comedy series, Second Generation Wayans and the movie, Devil's Knot, starring Reese Witherspoon. In 2012, Rob was also in two films titled, Love on The Rocks and Finally Free. In Finally Free, he was a director as well as an actor. Rob is most noted on the summer hit movie, Get On Up (James Brown bio pic), as he portrayed the character Clyde Stubblefield (The Funky Drummer). He was recently seen on the big screen in 90 Minutes in Heaven and the television shows, Underground, Murder By Numbers, The Gifted, The Resident and Lovecraft Country.



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. In 2008, he received further training by completing a one year residency with the St. Louis Black Repertory Company. Rob has also served in the following positions: the casting director, director and actor of Public Awareness Company, a Detroit, Michigan touring company (2005-2016), MADDRAMA Performance Troupe (2004-2007), St. Louis Black Repertory Theatre Company (2007-2008), Climb Theatre (2009), Red Light Performing Arts Company (2007-Present). Mr. Demery has traveled to over forty different states performing different various plays. While continuing to perform, Demery served as head acting instructor for New Stage Theatre’s (Jackson, MS) summer camp from 2008 until 2010. He served as actor/road manager for the national touring company, CLIMB Theatre, in St. Paul, Minnesota during the summer/fall of 2009.



Before relocating to Atlanta from Mississippi, Rob 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 Arts). Red Light Arts' mission is to enhance intelligence, creativity, and social skills in young people by continually applying quality productions/workshops universal to diverse audiences. Red Light Arts 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 34, he has over seventeen years of experience working with youth. Since 2010, Rob has had many contracts with Public School Districts 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 Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas and Georgia. By the end of next year, another one of his plays, 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 from students pursuing their dreams. "If it's not about the children, tell me who?" - Rob Demery