Damion Teeko Parran is a graduate of California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), where he received his bachelor of fine Arts degree. He received his high school education from Duke Ellington School of the

Arts in Washington, DC. At the age of 17, Teeko was cast in Cornerstone?s production of A ommunity Carol, a collaboration with Arena Stage and Anacostia community in Washington, DC. In 1997, Teeko was awarded Cornerstone?s first Paula Altvater Fellowship, which nurtures emerging arts professionals. After graduation from CalArts , Teeko became a Cornerstone Ensemble member and serve on staffs as Education Coordinator and Associate Producing Director for over three years before leaving to explore other theater-related opportunities. Since then, he has coordinated a series of workshop reading and after-school programs for Center Theater Group?s New Works Festival and Plays for Los Angeles Youth ( P.L.A.Y. ). Currently, Teeko works at Union Bank of California and serves as the Managing Director of Watts Village Theater Company (WVTC), which was co-founded by Quentin Drew. Teeko has produced two of WVTC?s critically acclaimed ensemble production including Private Battle and Up From Downs, both written by co-founder Lynn Manning. Teeko also coordinated the 2004 Watts Black History Celebration and the 2nd Annual Watts Unity Day. "If you are going to write love letters, don't wear boxing gloves.