David Edward Perry is a storyteller, comedy writer, actor, media professor, and mental health advocate.  He grew up an artsy kid splitting his time 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 inspiration to grow into a storyteller. 

Perry honed his academic and creative skills. that manifested into incredible opportunities across the nation. Moving to Orlando in the 90's and working as a studio tour guide at Walt Disney World sparked a slew of 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 sketch comedy writer, actor, a reading bear, and a broadcast producer.  Perry's passion grew into teaching the arts in medicine to better the mind and spirit. He stretched his creative skills and learned how to connect creativity to increase cognitive skills. Over the years, Perry created several devised theatre comedy programs addressing  issues including childhood illiteracy, teenage bullying, mental wellness, and distracted driving.

His dream of developing hybrids of theatre and education is now a reality.

In 2010 Perry relocated to Birmingham, Alabama. He later graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with his bachelor's of arts degree in Communications. In 2023, Perry achieved a significant milestone graduating from Harvard Medical School with his master's degree 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 bundles of evidence-based research in creativity, psychology, cognitive neuroscience, mental health, and creative development. Perry took the volumes of data and fed it 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, 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, laughter, and connections. He loves teaching the healing power of laughter.

His life mantra comes from his late Mother,  "Chase after your rainbows".