Derek Jeremiah Reid is the Hip Hop Improv instructor at The Groundlings. Derek also regularly performs at the Crazy Uncle Joe Show at  the Groundlings on Wednesdays 

Derek is widely recognized for portraying Barack Obama on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, performing as Lando Calrissian at conventions nationwide, and starring as Black Spider-Man in the cult web series Black Spider-Man.

He began his professional theater career at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre before touring the Midwest performing Shakespeare. Returning to his hometown of Austin, Derek spent four years creating original comedy and political satire at Esther’s Follies.

After moving to Los Angeles, Derek hosted children’s television for the Fox Family Channel before immersing himself in the world of improv and sketch comedy. At IO West, he became one of the theater’s longest-running sketch team directors, developing performers and original comedic work across multiple ensembles.

Derek has performed with the hip hop improv teams 808 and Buzz Buzz, and is currently coaching Chrome XX, a female-identifying hip hop improv ensemble focused on freestyle, musicality, and grounded scene work.