Derek Sitter

Derek Sitter (born September 4, 1967) is an American filmmaker, actor, and entrepreneur. He is the founding owner of the Volcanic Theatre Pub in Bend, Oregon. At 17, he was set to join the Air Force but quickly changed gears to go into the performing arts. He earned a double degree in Communications and Advertising from Northeastern State University. He studied acting at LSU, where he earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in 1994.

Acting career Theatre In 2001, Sitter was nominated for an Ovation Award (Best Featured Actor in a Play) for his role in The Dead Boy by Joseph Pintauro. Sitter played "Will Draper" in the U.S. premiere of the play at the Laurelgrove Theatre in Los Angeles. a Jekyll and Hyde sort of role where he got to play one part good, one part evil.

Television Year Title Season/Episode(s) Role(s) 2010 Leverage Season 3: Episode 13 Husband 2005 Zoey 101 Season 1: Episode 9 Keith 2002 Presidio Med performance.

Film production As a filmmaker, Sitter made his mark with a short film called Tutu Grande (2018). He wrote and directed the film and played the lead role. and a nomination at the New York Film Festival.

Two years later, he made another short film called Bugtussle, starring himself and John Mese. Bugtussle was the culmination of an earlier film written and directed by Sitter: Coyote and Old Crow (Short 2015), starring Sitter and Wayne Newscome. The plot of Bugtussle centers around the same characters, but for the 2022 production, Sitter cast himself and John Mese respectively as Coyote and Crow.

Sitter's debut as a screenwriter was a short film called Second Sleep in 2012. He based the story on his personal suffering from bipolar disorder. The film, made on a small budget with funds raised on Kickstarter, and starring Fred Lehne, was directed by Chris Kas.

Business career In 2010, he founded the Volcanic Theatre Pub in Bend with Don Tompos VTP is an entertainment venue for live musical and theatrical performances as well as film screenings. Sitter sold it to John Davis of 1988 Entertainment, a fellow resident of Bend.

Personal life Sitter identifies strongly as someone living with bipolar disorder. He is outspoken about his struggles with mental health, which include depression and anxiety, and for which he has been treated since he was 21. These experiences have greatly influenced his work as a filmmaker.

He is married to Jeanne Sanders (an actress and former teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District) and has a daughter.