Today we’d like to introduce you to Durrell Lyons.
Durrell, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was always performing in some shape form or fashion growing up. I wanted to be a rapper when I was younger, I grew up dancing, pop-locking, ticking in the streets in my small town of Wichita Falls, TX. I absolutely loved elementary school PTA programs, and my first ever theatre audition was in 6th grade when I auditioned to be in the junior high Theater Arts program the following year. In high school, when I wasn’t playing basketball, I remembered taking a video technology class and being a part of what was called “Studio Team”. We would shoot and edit are own short films, create 3d cartoons, and even participated in workshops with local creatives who specialized in commercials around town.
After high school graduation, I attended Savannah State University (Best HBCU ever, this is not up for debate) to study Electronics Engineering Technology, but I continued to dance, and even modeled in a number of runway shows. What was even more pivotal was that I was introduced to the art of Spoken Word. I’ve been a Spoken Word artist for 13 years, and that essentially is what “Kept me on the stage” theatrically.
I moved to Atlanta after graduating, and in order to create a better “Poetry set”, I began to study stand-up comedy, and take acting classes. That’s where the bug bit me. During this time I was still employed as a Software Engineer in the corporate world, and would put in PTO days in order to go film. After becoming a casualty in a 3rd (or 4th) round of corporate layoffs, I stepped off the corporate hamster wheel and decided not to go looking for another job in engineering, Instead, I prepared to do my first Equity play. I’ve been a full – time artist ever since. It’s been a scary roller-coaster, but this uniform fits the best.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It’s not a smooth road, and you shouldn’t expect it to be. That difficulty is what builds character, and the character required to survive the struggle indirectly builds the skillset and the ability to become that deep emotional artist that executes amazing work. It takes a serious HUNGER, DEDICATION, and serious SELF-DISCIPLINE.
I specifically remember working my corporate job during a week where I was shooting a student film in which the story took place all in one night, and as a result the entire week was full of night shoots. We would spend 12 hours on set every night from 5pm – 5am, and then I would drive 45 minutes home, catch an hour or so cat nap, and then be back at work by 8:30am the following morning. I did that from Monday to Friday that week, and the only break I had was the fact that I actually took a PTO day on Thursday that week because I was shooting at Tyler Perry Studios during the day, and I needed to take time from work for that. However, I still had to report to set that night to continue to work on the student film. I literally didn’t see my wife and kids for the entire week, even though we all live in the same house.
Just recently I was booked to go on a 12 week tour with a stage play. I turned down a lot of auditions for major TV/Film projects, as well as local stage plays due to the rehearsals, and simply preparing to be on the road for 3 months. Low and behold, the tour gets cancelled after the first week, and we come home to nothing because we cleared our schedules in anticipation of being on the road. It was depressing, and a horrible experience to try to regain momentum and “get your legs back under you” so to speak. It sucks, but that’s a part of the business.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Durrell Lyons – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am Durrell Lyons LLC. I’m an actor that specializes in bringing characters to life in every story I have the pleasure of telling. Sometimes I make you laugh, sometimes I make you cry, but most importantly, I make a connection.
I’m known for hard work. I pride myself on being the first one to rehearsal, being punctual when arriving on set, and living truthfully within the imaginary circumstances of the story. I’m proud of the work that I’ve been blessed to do thus far, and those I’ve been able to work with as colleagues.
I don’t really know what sets me apart from other actors, other than the obvious differences in race, gender, look, body type, structure, etc. But in terms of skill-set, I don’t think to compare, I just make an effort to be the best I can be, and leave it on the set/stage.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
In today’s industry you have to create your own content. I’m looking to start writing my own material, and creating content alongside those who’ve shared my same success and failures. I do look forward to feel what it’s like to put on the writers hat, and the producers hat, and overall being a leading man more often. I also know I have to work in other markets in order to grow. I love Atlanta, but my business and my brand needs to have some L.A., New York, and Chicago eyes in order to grow the way it needs to.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://durrelllyonsperforms.com
- Email: durrell.lyons@gmail.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/durrelllyonsperforms
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/durrelllyonsperforms
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/durrelllyons
Image Credit:
Kenneth Bradley
Harp Char Photography
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