Devin Raymond
In 2023, Devin Raymond took a major step toward that goal by planning a move to Los Angeles to pursue an MS in Marketing from the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business, along with a Graduate Certificate in Entertainment Business through a joint program with USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. Just one week before this move, Devin was in a car accident that left him with a severe concussion with lingering TBI symptoms; a sprained shoulder, which caused severe nerve pain throughout his arm; and a labral tear in his hip. The recovery was intense, requiring lifestyle changes, three years (and counting) of physical therapy, and two hip surgeries, which essentially involved having to relearn how to walk and use his leg properly again. Over the next year and a half, he balanced multiple medical appointments each week with full-time work at a marketing agency and part-time graduate studies. By 2024, he had completed his graduate studies and begun taking steps back onto the stage.
While Devin enjoys marketing full-time, he is a creative at heart and felt a craving in his soul for a purely creative outlet, like theatre. Six months after his second surgery, he returned to musical theatre by performing in a Golden Age of Hollywood Cabaret in North Hollywood with Above the Curve Theatre. He later joined the cast of Immigration is Beautiful, a musical theatre benefit concert with Color and Light Theatre in Studio City, which took place almost exactly one year after his second surgery.
Shortly after, Devin was cast in the ensemble of Rent (pictured above) with Just to Be Theatrical Productions in West Hollywood, playing Gordon, The Man, Mr. Grey, and a featured soloist in Seasons of Love. Rent opened in December 2025, which also marked three years and one month after the accident. Given the severity of his injuries, performing again was surreal, as he had worried he wouldn’t be able to handle the physical demands of rehearsal and performing a full show, but Devin is finally back.
Being physically unable to perform for nearly three years made Devin realize just how meaningful the stage is to him. One of the lines he sang in Rent that really resonated with him was, “Because reason says I should have died three years ago.” While his accident was not life-threatening, it profoundly altered his life, and for a time, it seemed he might have to give up performing. Instead, he persisted and continues to persist. Though still in physical therapy and not yet back to 100% capabilities, he is once again able to perform and looks forward to the opportunities ahead. For Devin, the stage is no longer just a passion; it is proof of resilience, persistence, and a relentless determination to achieve his dreams, all of which he will always hold dearly in all aspects of his life, personally, professionally, and as a performer.
I consider myself a creative through and through, and my creativity acts as the underlying fuel for everything I do. Even when a project is not inherently “creative,” I find ways to bring creativity into it. As an artist, I primarily perform in musical theatre, but beyond the stage, I channel my creativity into marketing, photography, writing both creatively and academically, and playing guitar and trumpet. When I create or perform, I prioritize three things: thinking outside the box to make something unique, telling a meaningful story, and having fun with it. If I succeed in those three areas, people may see something they have not seen before, connect with a story that resonates, and feel the joy and energy I brought to the work.
This mindset carries straight onto the stage. Acting and singing in musical theatre has been one of the biggest teachers in my life, helping me discover who I am and feel truly comfortable in my own skin. Each new role is a mirror, and I learn something about myself as I explore the character. Performing a role requires me to pause my own perspective and fully step into the character’s perspective, thinking about how they would act, react, speak, and move in a scene. Doing this is both therapeutic and a catalyst for growth as a person and a performer.
I also love watching how the cast, production team, and audience respond to the nuances of what I create. Their energy, perspectives, and reactions are one of the most beautiful parts of live theatre. Everyone brings their own experiences into the room. Each night, that shapes the performance and how it is received in ways that are completely unique. No matter the level of theatre, that sense of community is powerful. I have always believed that if I can make even one person feel something, my work is worth it. Whether it is inspiring a kid to consider performing, making someone smile, or offering a new perspective, those moments validate the hours I have spent on vocal lessons, studying harmonies, memorizing lines, and pouring my energy into performances.
Theatre also provides a unique form of escapism for both the performer and the audience. People step outside the real world for a few hours. I get to soak in their laughter, gasps, and applause, knowing that the moments I helped create might leave them smiling, thinking, or just feeling a little lighter.
While I have never formally studied theatre, my academic and professional background brings a unique lens to my artistry. In undergrad, I spent time researching the representation of minority identities in media and theatre, with a particular focus on the lack of authentic portrayals of queer identities on stage and screen. That perspective helps me critically consider how I portray characters and respect their identities. My work in marketing adds another layer of insight. I think strategically about audience engagement, context, and impact while still honoring the integrity of the material. Every piece of art I create begins with a question: why does this need to exist and why now? Understanding the why is what drives the thoughtfulness, the energy, and the authenticity I bring to every single performance and project.
Devin RaymondHailing from the small town of Erie, Michigan, Devin Raymond is a singer and actor who has been performing since the age of 10. After receiving his BA in Communications and Media with minors in both Music and Business from the University of Michigan in 2020, Devin set a goal to move from small-town Michigan to a major city with a thriving performing arts community, determined to build a life that balanced both creativity and career.