Say hello to
David Edward Perry
David Edward Perry is a creativity savant, storyteller, and mental health advocate.
He grew up an artsy kid in Takoma Park, Maryland. He was often found in front of the television or at the local libraries. The Muppet Show, Carol Burnett, and Saturday Night Live were programs that made an impact. The works of Walt Disney and Jim Henson were not just a form of entertainment; they gave him a vision and skills as a budding storyteller. He grew into his love of educational programming, writing, and giving a reader an adventure while teaching a lesson.
College allowed Perry to hone his academic and creative skills. His dream jobs began manifesting as creative opportunities. Moving to Orlando and working as a studio tour guide at Walt Disney World sparked communication jobs that grew more exciting each year. His entertainment career spans working for Disney, Nickelodeon, The CW Network, and Sony Pictures Television. For years, he honed his skills as a comedy writer, a peer support specialist, an actor, a reading bear, and a broadcast producer. Perry's passion grew into teaching the arts to better the mind and spirit. He stretched his creative skills and learned to connect creativity to increase cognitive skills. Over the years, Perry created several programs addressing issues of childhood illiteracy, teenage bullying, mental wellness, and distracted driving. His dream of developing hybrids of theatre and education like Jim Henson was now a reality.
Perry left Los Angeles and relocated to Birmingham, Alabama. In 2021, he graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with his bachelor's in Communications. In 2023, Perry achieved a significant milestone by graduating from Harvard Medical School with his master's in Media, Medicine, and Health. He was in the first cohort of this innovative program using media to address health needs in the community. His studies at Harvard exposed him to evidence-based research in creativity, psychology, cognitive neuroscience, mental health, and creative development. This data fed into the composition of his capstone on humor and health intervention.
After graduating from Harvard, Perry chose to return to Birmingham to start the next chapter in his life. He is building a future with his PERRY Comedy for Mental Wellness program. He is excited to collaborate with creative minds and celebrate methods that bring better health.
His mantra comes from his late Mother, "Chase after your rainbows".
Education
Harvard Medical School
Master of Science in Media, Medicine, and Health, '23
Concentration on Humor and Health Intervention
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, '21
Concentration on Broadcasting and a Minor in Film
The Disney Institute
Ducktorate Degree - Management, '93
Concentration on Personal Development