Tommy McDermott
Tommy McDermott is a copywriter, strategist, and content marketer based in Brooklyn, New York.
He is the founder of Rough Draft Projects, a creative agency that has worked with dozens of the world’s leading brands.
As an actor and improviser, he graduated from The Second City Conservatory and Upright Citizens Brigade and completed the Professional Puppetry Training Program at the Jim Henson Carriage House.
He has also trained with HB Studio and Brooklyn Comedy Collective.
Copywriting
Over 10 years of experience creating copy for leading brands like Afterpay, CamelBak, Danner, Equator Coffee, Filson, Headlands Brewing, Huckberry, LaCrosse, SITKA Studios, Ten Thousand, and more.
Comedy and Acting
A graduate of The Second City Conservatory program Tommy McDermott is an improviser, sketch comedian, and actor who has studied at HB Studio, Endgames Improv, and more.
He has performed at SF Sketchfest, Under St. Mark’s, Stagewerx Theater, and more.
Education
Acting, Comedy, and Improvisation
Theatre, Film, TV
The Second City Conservatory Program
Auditioned and was accepted into the first class of the yearlong Second City Conservatory program in Brooklyn, New York. Performed monthly shows in the black box theater at the Williamsburg Training Center, and was instructed by world-class improvisers and artistic directors including Jeff Bouthiette (Improvised Sondheim Project, Music Director at The Second City), Bianca Casusol (Story Pirates), and more. The program culminated in an hour long revue with a six-week run at The Second City in New York.
Endgames Improv Program
Completed a five level improv training program with Endgames Improv in San Francisco and later auditioned and was accepted onto the house Harold team “Classic Diane” which performed weekly shows at Stagewerx Theatre. Instructors included Craig Gaspian (Pan Theater, UCB NY, iO Chicago), Keara McCarthy (The Recchia, Improv Against Humanity) and more.
San Francisco Sketchfest
Performed a sold out show at San Francisco Sketchfest as part of the team “Classic Diane.”
Awards and Honors
Volunteer Experience
Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society
Distinction for high achievement in English language and literature in undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies.
Certifications
North Carolina College Media Association Statewide “Best Work In Poetry” (2014)
Named the 2014 winner of the “Best Work In Poetry” award bestowed by the North Carolina College Media Association for my poem “Church Movers.”
Billion Oyster Project, Ambassador
The Billion Oyster Project is a nonprofit organization on a mission to restore oyster reefs to New York Harbor through public education initiatives.
As a Billion Oyster Project Ambassador, I’ve been trained to independently run an Oyster Research Station in an effort to monitor the health of the oyster population and relay my findings to the rest of the team. In addition to this research, I also conduct wild oyster surveys and spat counts, clean and process donated shells from local restaurant partners, build reef structures, and assist with shoreline cleanup efforts.
Prospect Park Alliance, Super Steward
The Master Composter Certificate Course is an advanced compost education and outreach program designed to build a citywide network of educators, advocates and community composters to support NYC Department of Sanitation composting initiatives.
As a certified Master Composter, I took three field trips to small scale and industrial-sized composting sites around New York City, completed seven workshops (Composting 101, Composting Systems and Tools, Site Design and Management, Soil and Decomposition Science, Using Compost, Mulch, and Cover Crops, Reaching and Teaching Others, and DSNY Organics Diversion Efforts), and volunteered over 30 hours at local community events, applying compost to street trees, and more.
The City Reliquary, Docent
The City Reliquary is a not-for-profit community museum and civic organization that’s focused on preserving pieces of everyday New York history. In addition to assisting guests and giving tours of the museum, I’ve also helped organize annual events like the Panorama Challenge at the Queens Museum and Miss Subways contest on Coney Island.
Agriculture, Landscaping, Urban Gardening
New York City Department of Sanitation Master Composter Certification
The Master Composter Certificate Course is an advanced compost education and outreach program designed to build a citywide network of educators, advocates and community composters to support New York City Department of Sanitation composting initiatives.
As a certified Master Composter, I took three field trips to small scale and industrial-sized composting sites around New York City, completed seven workshops (Composting 101, Composting Systems and Tools, Site Design and Management, Soil and Decomposition Science, Using Compost, Mulch, and Cover Crops, Reaching and Teaching Others, and DSNY Organics Diversion Efforts), and volunteered over 30 hours at local community events, applying compost to street trees, and more.
Brooklyn Botanic Garden Certificate of Horticulture
The Master Composter Certificate Course is an advanced compost education and outreach program designed to build a citywide network of educators, advocates and community composters to support NYC Department of Sanitation composting initiatives.
As a certified Master Composter, I took three field trips to small scale and industrial-sized composting sites around New York City, completed seven workshops (Composting 101, Composting Systems and Tools, Site Design and Management, Soil and Decomposition Science, Using Compost, Mulch, and Cover Crops, Reaching and Teaching Others, and DSNY Organics Diversion Efforts), and volunteered over 30 hours at local community events, applying compost to street trees, and more.
Emergency Response and Management
NOLS Wilderness First-Aid Certification
This two day course taught the Patient Assessment System, how to provide effective first aid treatments for injuries and illnesses common in the outdoors, and how to make appropriate evacuation decisions.
This course is recognized by the American Camp Association to meet specific ACA standards requiring certifications. The course meets the Boy Scouts of America Wilderness First Aid training requirements. Additionally, the Wilderness First Aid course (WILDMI-554), and when included the CPR/AED course (WILDMI-134), are approved by the United States Coast Guard to meet the first aid and CPR training requirements of 46 CFR 11.201(i)(1)(ii) and 46 CFR 11.201(i)(2)(iiI) for a merchant mariner credential.
San Francisco Fire Department Neighborhood Emergency Response Team
Through this six week program, individuals are trained to assist in search and rescue efforts, as well as respond to natural disasters and mass casualty events. This training includes basic first-aid, triage, building structure damage assessment, hazardous material identification, and more to create a dedicated neighborhood response team.