Damian Perkins

DAMIAN PERKINS

OFFICIAL IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0673912 Critically acclaimed, Grammy Award winning* filmmaker, Broadway/TV and film actor, Damian Perkins, has brought his skills to the television/movie and theater industry as a director and producer.

Having returned from NY after starring in Elton John's "AIDA" on Broadway and "RENT", (and directing/producing over 30 regional plays and musicals). Damian began producing feature films, blending his talents as a performer, with his sharp business insight and knack for developing long lasting relationships with some of Hollywood's TOP producers, investors, actors and filmmakers.
His first success was producing the critically acclaimed short film, Entitled, "Mercy for the Innocent", (finalist 168 hour film festival), followed by him producing the NBC commissioned pilot; "Central Booking". He went on immediately to Co-Exec Produce the 2.5 million dollar, high grossing, action thriller, "The Take", (Starring Tyrese, Rosie Perez and John Leguizamo). In the following years he has produced several profitable & notable films, including;

Lion's Gate's "Never Surrender", "Baggage" (starring Golden Globe winner Barry Bostwick and Cheryl Ladd); Winner DOVE Foundation Award, "Pirate Camp" (with Corbin Bernsen), Award-winner, "MANIC" (Which he also directed/orchestrated, starring Independent Spirit Award winner Dale Dickey), "A Voice in the Dark" (Which he also directed/orchestrated featuring Richard Portnow) and "Revan" (with Steven Bauer and Robert Miano). Damian is currently in pre-production on several other high profile projects, including 2015's;


"Brass Knuckles" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1430812
"God's Speed" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3882378
"Hunters" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1802774

VIEW HIS SELECTED FILM TRAILERS HERE

"MANIC" trailer: Manic Official Film Trailer
"A VOICE IN THE DARK" trailer: "A VOICE IN THE DARK" FEATURE FILM OFFICIAL TRAILER
"GOD'S SPEED" (extended trailer)! God's Speed Promo

BROADWAY

In all, Damian has done over 2000 live stage performances, including co-starring as "Benny", (over 375 performances) in the Tony and Grammy-award winning Broadway hit, "Rent", made for $280,000, grossing over $300 million worldwide! Damian was directed by original Broadway director Michael Grief. His company was nominated for 8 Dora Awards, (Canadian equivalent to a Tony), and received major reception by sold-out audiences and press alike*.

He then Starred as "Mereb", in Elton John and Tim Rice’s Tony and Grammy award-winning smash hit "Aida", on Broadway, (over 950 performances). Aida is distinguished as the 34th longest running musical of all-time! Damian Originated the role and received much critical praise* playing "Mereb" opposite Heather Headley, (who won the Tony for her role as AIDA), Adam Pascal and Sheri Rene Scott.

In addition to film, Damian has produced over 30 successful stage productions, (several at the world renowned Stella Adler theater in Hollywood, including his new musical, "Divine Lust" in 2010) and has produced several music videos for prominent artists. .

He has also guest starred on such hit prime time television shows as CSI: Miami, Charmed, Providence, The Net, The Sentinel, including 4 pilots and 25 national commercials.


THE FULL PICTURE

Damian completed post production on the dramatic thriller, "A Voice in the Dark" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1464346 (co-director/producer/orchestrator). Damian stars with film/TV and Broadway veterans Richart Portnow ("Hitchcock", "Law Abiding Citizen", "Se7en," "The Shield," "Barton Fink", "The Sopranos"), Michael Fairman ("Young and the Restless," "Without a Trace," "Mulholland Dr.," "The X-Files," "E.R."), Cassandra Hepburn (Quentin Tarantino’s "Hellride", "Surfer, Dude" with Matthew McConaughey), Anna Easteden and Steven Polk ("Pirate Camp," "Baggage," "Thelma and Louise").

A review of "A VOICE IN THE DARK":

"A GRIPPING tale of human compassion and desperation that will keep you on edge of your seat. Brilliantly acted and directed"! -Kristen Rossi (EXTRA Entertainment TV)

His most recently released film is "MANIC", http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1941598 (written by Austin Musick). Damian directed, produced and orchestrated this intense thriller which features Independent Spirit Award winner Dale Dickey ("The Pledge", "The Changeling", "Ugly Betty", "My Name is Earl", "Domino"), Cassandra Hepburn (Quentin Tarantino’s "Hellride", "Surfer, Dude" with Matthew McConaughey). Out of thousands of entries, "MANIC", was honored as an official selection of both the "Somewhat North Of Boston" (SNOB Film Festival) and the "Other Venice" (O.V Film Festival) and in Jan 2012 "MANIC" was honored as a Gold award-winner for best film.

Co-starred as "Diamond", and Assoc. Produced the widely distributed, and highly profitable action film, "Never Surrender", http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1307989 (Lion's Gate films), with screen icons James Russo and Patrick Kilpatrick. The film also features UFC champion fighters B.J Penn, Georges St. Pierre, Anderson Silva and "Rampage" Jackson and Heath Herring.

Starred in and associate produced the award-nominated family comedy, "Pirate Camp" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0902313, opposite Corbin Bernsen which in 12 months grossed more than double the costs. The film enjoyed a "Blockbuster", "Netflix" and "Hollywood Video" store exclusive deal.

Co-Exec produced the film feature "Baggage", (starring Golden Globe winner Barry Bostwick and Cherly Ladd), which recently premiered in LA and Chicago, received a coveted "Dove Foundation" seal of approval and is playing on TV. He was also in the horror film "Bulletface" and "Revan" with Steven Bauer.

Starring in a new 2.9 million dollar Broadway show "Divine Lust", which he wrote/choreographed and will star in and produce, slated for release fall 2016. Divine Lust enjoyed a sold-out workshop investor presentation at the Stella Adler theater in Hollywood.

Executive produced/choreographed and starred in a music video for prominent international multi-platinum album selling performer, Prince Ali. The hit, "Ego Tripping" has had airplay to 50 million+ He also produced and starred in the music video, "Butterfly" for Platinum rock group, "The Circle".

Finally, he has trained and mentored hundreds of actors over the years to much success (including several prominent celebrities) and created "The Perkins Players", his acting troupe who have performed plays produced, designed and directed by Damian, ("A Mid Summer Night's Dream", "Noises Off", etc.)

More information about Damian can be found at:

www.imdb.com/name/nm0673912/

And Damian's YouTube Channel:

http://www.youtube.com/damianjeanperkins


SELECT AWARDS/PRESS

*Grammy winner ("Best Original Broadway Cast Recording" for Time/Rice Elton John's Broadway hit "AIDA", starred as "MEREB")

Recipient of the Gold Award for Best Picture for "MANIC", (2012 California film awards)

*"Damian Perkins combines the dark whimsy of Joel Grey, with the sexy humor of Prince, (La Weekly Magazine)"

A review of "A VOICE IN THE DARK":

"A GRIPPING tale of human compassion and desperation that will keep you on edge of your seat. Brilliantly acted and directed!"-Kristen Rossi (EXTRA Entertainment TV)

*Damian was honored with the coveted Artists For A Better World International "OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION AS AN ARTIST" Award for his unyielding 16 year involvement in successfully helping other artists and philanthropic work.

*"Damian Perkins, [as 'BENNY' in the Broadway hit "RENT"], as a pivotal character for plot development carries the weight of his role well"(The Peak.Com).

*"Damian Perkins is especially good as Radames'servant 'Mereb'"[in the Broadway hit "AIDA"] (Centerstage.Net).