Derek Keeling

**fluff** · 01-22-2007, 05:43 PM

Nickname: "Wholesome Danny"
Age: 26
Occupation: Design Consultant
Hometown: Charleston, WV
Audition City: New York

TRAINING:
Vocal: 6 years
Acting: 5 years, BA in theatre from Univ. of Kentucky

FUN FACTS: He is a Sagittarius. He used to be a drag racer!

When Derek first moved to New York three years ago to pursue acting he could not afford furniture, so he slept on the floor for the first three months…he's now the proud owner of a proper bed and a $10 a chair. He shares a tight four-bedroom one bath apartment with three other aspiring performers. Currently he works for a company that decorates several store fronts and hotels, he was fired from his last job as a waiter; they could tell he wasn't that into the work and became so angry over his firing that he walked into an overhang in the subway and knocked himself out.
Growing up he lead a fairly normal life: getting picked on by the other kids until he grew considerably, playing video games and filling in his attempt at a moustache with black mascara. Coming from a small town in West Virginia, Derek relies heavily on his families support. During Grease Academy his father barely slept, so nervous was he that Derek might get sent home early. Dancing since the age of five, Derek's father tried to sway his interest in the arts, pointing out that he was the only boy in a class of thirty girls…Derek's reply, "That's the reason I love the class." His dad is now his most vocal supporter, bragging to any and everyone about his son's skills and successes. Even though Derek calls himself a working actor, he hasn't had a paying gig in New York…but he has played Danny in a few productions of Grease including a travelling tour from 2004-2005.

Derek's biggest challenge thus far has been "dropping everything and moving to NYC with very little money and no where to live" so that he could pursue a career in theatre. His biggest focus is keeping his voice in good shape; it's more of an obsession (he refrains from drinking anything with caffeine for fear it may dry out his voice.) Formally a runner, a sport he loves, Derek was told if he continued to run he would wind up in a wheel chair by the age of 25…he's extremely protective of those things which he loves. Currently single, he recently broke up with girlfriend of three years in August. He's now completely committed to "making it."

Derek's Grease experience has been stressful and amazing...he says he didn't get a lot of sleep during the week of Grease Academy, but he has become more and more invested in the show and doing well.

FAVORITES:
What genre of movies do you enjoy? Loves movies that make you think, (i.e. The Usual Suspects)
Favorite TV show: "Friends" and "Lost"
Favorite Actor: Kevin Spacey
Favorite Actress: Toni Collette
Favorite Singer: Frank Sinatra
Favorite Group: U2
Favorite Foods: Salmon and chicken pad thai
Favorite Musical: Jekyll & Hyde
Favorite Color: UK Blue

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Pharoah · 01-22-2007, 07:29 PM

If Austin doesn't win, it should be this guy.

FireWoman · 01-22-2007, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pharoah

If Austin doesn't win, it should be this guy.

Agree!!!

Lois Lane · 01-22-2007, 08:54 PM

Yup! I like this guy, too!

Gizmo82 · 01-23-2007, 04:22 AM

I think he has a good shot, he's GORGEOUS, has a nice voice, and seems more likable than Austin, which is what is really important in this competition

aname · 01-23-2007, 02:16 PM

My favorite! He is Danny - dark, handsome, great body, good voice, moves well and is very much a man. A real cutie pie.

roseskid · 01-23-2007, 05:56 PM

Well, then, I guess it's unanimous! I love this guy and have no problem seeing him as Danny.

echo226 · 01-24-2007, 03:19 PM

I'm waiting to see what their acting skills are like. Danny has to have the ability to look vulnerable too (to Sandy) and he just might have it. He is definitely a cutie ... but I like Chad too.

lalalala1 · 01-27-2007, 11:38 PM

Just joined this site today, and I have to say that Derek was the one that most stood out for me. He has the look for Danny as well as the voice, I can't wait to see and hear more from him as this contest goes on.

jasmar · 01-29-2007, 01:11 AM

Is he the one who sang the song about Memphis? I really liked that guy, along with Chad.

01-22-2007, 05:43 PM	#1
fluff Why can't we just rewind? Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 40,530	Derek Keeling Nickname: "Wholesome Danny" Age: 26 Occupation: Design Consultant Hometown: Charleston, WV Audition City: New York TRAINING: Vocal: 6 years Acting: 5 years, BA in theatre from Univ. of Kentucky FUN FACTS: He is a Sagittarius. He used to be a drag racer! When Derek first moved to New York three years ago to pursue acting he could not afford furniture, so he slept on the floor for the first three months…he's now the proud owner of a proper bed and a $10 a chair. He shares a tight four-bedroom one bath apartment with three other aspiring performers. Currently he works for a company that decorates several store fronts and hotels, he was fired from his last job as a waiter; they could tell he wasn't that into the work and became so angry over his firing that he walked into an overhang in the subway and knocked himself out. Growing up he lead a fairly normal life: getting picked on by the other kids until he grew considerably, playing video games and filling in his attempt at a moustache with black mascara. Coming from a small town in West Virginia, Derek relies heavily on his families support. During Grease Academy his father barely slept, so nervous was he that Derek might get sent home early. Dancing since the age of five, Derek's father tried to sway his interest in the arts, pointing out that he was the only boy in a class of thirty girls…Derek's reply, "That's the reason I love the class." His dad is now his most vocal supporter, bragging to any and everyone about his son's skills and successes. Even though Derek calls himself a working actor, he hasn't had a paying gig in New York…but he has played Danny in a few productions of Grease including a travelling tour from 2004-2005. Derek's biggest challenge thus far has been "dropping everything and moving to NYC with very little money and no where to live" so that he could pursue a career in theatre. His biggest focus is keeping his voice in good shape; it's more of an obsession (he refrains from drinking anything with caffeine for fear it may dry out his voice.) Formally a runner, a sport he loves, Derek was told if he continued to run he would wind up in a wheel chair by the age of 25…he's extremely protective of those things which he loves. Currently single, he recently broke up with girlfriend of three years in August. He's now completely committed to "making it." Derek's Grease experience has been stressful and amazing...he says he didn't get a lot of sleep during the week of Grease Academy, but he has become more and more invested in the show and doing well. FAVORITES: What genre of movies do you enjoy? Loves movies that make you think, (i.e. The Usual Suspects) Favorite TV show: "Friends" and "Lost" Favorite Actor: Kevin Spacey Favorite Actress: Toni Collette Favorite Singer: Frank Sinatra Favorite Group: U2 Favorite Foods: Salmon and chicken pad thai Favorite Musical: Jekyll & Hyde Favorite Color: UK Blue

01-23-2007, 04:22 AM	#5
Gizmo82 Fabulous fag! ;) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: San Francisco Age: 26 Posts: 2,106	I think he has a good shot, he's GORGEOUS, has a nice voice, and seems more likable than Austin, which is what is really important in this competition __________________ "It's still cool to be sane. You're just supposed to be sane and medicated ." - Article from the New York Magazine

01-23-2007, 05:56 PM	#7
roseskid Just Forting Around Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Anticipating roses and broken hearts Posts: 7,271	Well, then, I guess it's unanimous! I love this guy and have no problem seeing him as Danny. __________________ Love The Bachelor? Catch the recap for this season's ~~sacrificial lamb~~ lucky guy here in Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5, Episode 6 and Episode 7.

01-24-2007, 03:19 PM	#8
echo226 FORT Aficionado Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: In Between Posts: 4,094	I'm waiting to see what their acting skills are like. Danny has to have the ability to look vulnerable too (to Sandy) and he just might have it. He is definitely a cutie ... but I like Chad too. __________________ "The way to become boring is to say everything." Voltaire " The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated. " Mohandas Gandhi

01-29-2007, 01:11 AM	#10
jasmar Big Electric Cat Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 3,802	Is he the one who sang the song about Memphis? I really liked that guy, along with Chad. __________________ Token Christian. If truth is relative, how do you know?

01-22-2007, 07:29 PM	#2
Pharoah FORT Fogey Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,331	If Austin doesn't win, it should be this guy.

01-22-2007, 08:54 PM	#4
Lois Lane On a cupcake mission! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Right behind you Posts: 5,004	Yup! I like this guy, too!

01-23-2007, 02:16 PM	#6
aname FORT Fogey Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 2,320	My favorite! He is Danny - dark, handsome, great body, good voice, moves well and is very much a man. A real cutie pie.

01-27-2007, 11:38 PM	#9
lalalala1 FORT Newbie Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 8	Just joined this site today, and I have to say that Derek was the one that most stood out for me. He has the look for Danny as well as the voice, I can't wait to see and hear more from him as this contest goes on.