Drew Drake is a world-traveled actor currently residing in New York City. Growing up in places such as Brussels, Chicago, Germany, Fayetteville, Miami, Baltimore and Alabama, Drew has learned to adapt to various cultures and constant change. His love for theatre and acting began in college during his time at Elizabeth City State University (an HBCU in eastern NC), and this passion eventually led him to transfer to Western Carolina University to receive his BFA in Theatre. During his time in undergrad, Drew worked in many professional and regional theatres along the east coast and, in spring 2013, Drew was awarded a full ride scholarship and fellowship to become a MFA candidate focusing on Theatre performance at the University of Tennessee.
During his time at Western Carolina University, Drew became heavily interested in creative writing and especially poetry. “I believed that poetry gave me the outlet to voice an opinion and perspective that was different from the perspective I have been forced to play on stage and film”, he said. Since graduating from Western Carolina University (2012), he has performed original poetry in many venues throughout the US. Drew competed in both National and Regional Poetry Slams, including Louisville SoulSpit (finalist), Asheville Battle for I-40 (2nd place), Nuyorican Poets Café (semifinalist), Bowery Poetry Slam, Greenville 2014 Poetic Expression (3rd place) and the Southern Fried Poetry Slam multiple times. He is an avid community writer and facilitator, creating and leading theatre programs and writing workshops for young people across race and class. In the summer of 2016, Drew was a core creator and facilitator in the Greater Partnership of Knoxville and Knox County Schools' joint project entitled “Shakespeare in Shades”, a program that uses Poetry and Theatre to increase reading and writing skills of underprivileged youth. Drew’s recent project “The Soulfood Sessions: A Poetry Mixtape” is his first collection of work that addresses issues varying from veteran rights, the impact of capitalism and racism on college athletics, inherent fears, faith, and the ongoing journey of self-love.
During his time in NYC he served as Poet In Residence, Teaching artist and "NYC Youth Poetry Slam Team" Slam Coach at Urban Word NYC in which he directed the NYC Youth Poet Laureate Program from 2020-23. Also served as a facilitator and member for Broadway Advocacy Coalition for the course "Theatre of Change" at Columbia Law School alongside being a teaching artist for Rehabilitation through the Arts serving incarcerated folx in NY State.
Drew Drake is an Actor, Poet, Hip Hop Artist and Educator focused on creating art that facilitates healthy dialogue for people of color. Drew was last seen performing on TV in Roles such as “Lamar Cordell” in Law and Order Season 22 and stages such as Bonnarro Music Festival, Barclays Center and Brooklyn Academy of Music production “Word. Sound. Power and in March Off Broadway at National Black Theatre’s Production “ Packages, O The Things We Deliver” . Drew is currently the Artist In Residence at The University Of Tennessee. Drew’s served as a Professor at New York University; teaching Voice and Speech at Tisch School of the Arts and MLK Scholars 1st Year Seminar in the NYU MLK Scholars course ,Pellissippi State Community College, as well as teaching African American Theatre at Medgar Evers College.
During his time at Western Carolina University, Drew became heavily interested in creative writing and especially poetry. “I believed that poetry gave me the outlet to voice an opinion and perspective that was different from the perspective I have been forced to play on stage and film”, he said. Since graduating from Western Carolina University (2012), he has performed original poetry in many venues throughout the US. Drew competed in both National and Regional Poetry Slams, including Louisville SoulSpit (finalist), Asheville Battle for I-40 (2nd place), Nuyorican Poets Café (semifinalist), Bowery Poetry Slam, Greenville 2014 Poetic Expression (3rd place) and the Southern Fried Poetry Slam multiple times. He is an avid community writer and facilitator, creating and leading theatre programs and writing workshops for young people across race and class. In the summer of 2016, Drew was a core creator and facilitator in the Greater Partnership of Knoxville and Knox County Schools' joint project entitled “Shakespeare in Shades”, a program that uses Poetry and Theatre to increase reading and writing skills of underprivileged youth. Drew’s recent project “The Soulfood Sessions: A Poetry Mixtape” is his first collection of work that addresses issues varying from veteran rights, the impact of capitalism and racism on college athletics, inherent fears, faith, and the ongoing journey of self-love.
During his time in NYC he served as Poet In Residence, Teaching artist and "NYC Youth Poetry Slam Team" Slam Coach at Urban Word NYC in which he directed the NYC Youth Poet Laureate Program from 2020-23. Also served as a facilitator and member for Broadway Advocacy Coalition for the course "Theatre of Change" at Columbia Law School alongside being a teaching artist for Rehabilitation through the Arts serving incarcerated folx in NY State.
Drew Drake is an Actor, Poet, Hip Hop Artist and Educator focused on creating art that facilitates healthy dialogue for people of color. Drew was last seen performing on TV in Roles such as “Lamar Cordell” in Law and Order Season 22 and stages such as Bonnarro Music Festival, Barclays Center and Brooklyn Academy of Music production “Word. Sound. Power and in March Off Broadway at National Black Theatre’s Production “ Packages, O The Things We Deliver” . Drew is currently the Artist In Residence at The University Of Tennessee. Drew’s served as a Professor at New York University; teaching Voice and Speech at Tisch School of the Arts and MLK Scholars 1st Year Seminar in the NYU MLK Scholars course ,Pellissippi State Community College, as well as teaching African American Theatre at Medgar Evers College.