“All that you touch, you Change.
All that you Change, Changes you.
The only lasting truth is Change.“
-Octavia Butler
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Who is Dennis Pearson?
Dennis Pearson is an actor and storyteller from Long Beach, California.
His work is grounded in presence, restraint and emotional precision—often exploring men who carry weight beneath the surface. Across film, television & stage, he is drawn to stories that demand attention, not performance.
Over the past decade, he has led award-winning films, performed on some of the country’s most respected stages and collaborated on campaigns for major brands. Regardless of the medium, his approach remains the same: be present, be specific and serve the story.
Explore Dennis’ journey, creative practice and perspective in his featured interview with Canvas Rebel. https://canvasrebel.com/meet-dennis-pearson/
Select Highlights:
SOME AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Best Actor — DC Black Film Festival (Tinderbox)
Best Actor Nominee — Seattle Film Festival (Tinderbox)
Best Branded Film Finalist — Tribeca Film Festival (Unlocked, Lead)
Best Actor — Julius Caesar (Brutus)
Best Actor — Euripides Medea (Aegeus)
NAACP Theatre Award Nominee — Blues for an Alabama Sky (Mark Taper Forum, dir. Phylicia Rashad)
Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival selection — A Soldier’s Play, Medea
Irene Ryan Award Nominee
Some Festival Appearances:
Festival screenings include: Tribeca, Pan African Film Festival, DC Black Film Festival, Detroit Black Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, San Francisco Black Film Festival, LA Shorts, NY Shorts, Kino Short Film Fest, Latino Film & Arts Festival and many others
BEYOND PERFORMING
Dennis is also a creator and producer who develops original work:
- DAYCATION THEATRE — Monthly sketch comedy show (2015–2017). Dennis created, directed and starred alongside a talented ensemble cast. The show consistently sold out its run at Manazar Gamboa Theatre in Long Beach and the Alley Art Festival in Vista before the company amicably concluded to pursue individual film and theatre opportunities.
- AFTERLIGHT— Feature Film. A man who has mistaken his gift for his identity is forced to discover who he is when that gift is taken away.
- THE COST OF LIVING — Limited Series. A near-future drama examining dignity, work and human worth in a world increasingly shaped by automation.
- THE PARTICIPANT— Audio Drama. A psychological thriller about a bank manager forced to rob his own bank while his family is held hostage.
- BETWEEN THE LINES — Substack exploring craft, responsibility and the work that happens when no one’s watching.
Because he believes artists should create the work they want to see and not wait for permission.
CREDITS
ON SCREEN (Highlights)
UNLOCKED | Lead | HP Studios / NBC / Peacock TV | Tribeca Film Festival: Best Branded Film Finalist
TINDERBOX | Lead | Dir. Rickey Larke | DC Black Film Festival: Best Actor Winner | Detroit Black Film Festival: Best Ensemble Winner
THE BENDS (Pilot) | Guest Star | FX / 20th Century Fox / Paul Attanasio / Mike Barker
SAFE | Lead | Marissa High | LA Shorts Selection | San Francisco Black Film Festival
HUSKY | Supporting | Matt Sayles | Pan African Film Festival Selection
THE ALLNIGHTER | Aimee Graham
ON STAGE (Highlights)
BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY | Leland Cunningham | The Mark Taper Forum, Dir. Phylicia Rashad | 2024 NAACP Theatre Award Nominee (4 nominations) / LA Times Best Theatre 2022
JULIUS CAESAR | Brutus | Studio Theatre, Greg Mortensen | Best Actor Winner
A SOLDIER’S PLAY | Captain Richard Davenport | Studio Theatre, Tony Carreiro | Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Selection
MEDEA | Aegeus | Studio Theatre, Dir. Tony Carreiro | Best Actor Winner | Irene Ryan Award Nominee
GOING.. GOING.. GONE! | Mason Young | The Hudson Theatre, Ken Levine
A CHRISTMAS CAROL | Young Marley/Ensemble | South Coast Repertory
DAYCATION THEATRE | Creator/Producer/Cast| Manazar Gamboa Theatre, Dir. Dennis Pearson | Alley Art Festival in Vista
TRAINING
Dennis’ approach to craft is rooted in specificity, emotional truth and the understanding that great acting is about listening, not performing.
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Femi Oguns (Principal & CEO), Anthony Mark Barrow (Head of Los Angeles School)
Joanne DeNaut CSA
Faculty: Tony Carreiro, Greg Mortensen, Hal Landon Jr., Matt Gourley, Cathy Crane, Richard Freedman
LET’S WORK TOGETHER
DENNIS PEARSON is available for:
- Film & Television — Series regular, recurring, guest star, lead and supporting opportunities in drama and comedy
- Theatre — Regional, LORT and Off-Broadway productions
- Commercial & VO — National campaigns, brand partnerships, audiobook narration
- Collaboration — Co-producing, script development and creative partnerships
If you’re casting, developing a project or looking for a creative partner, let’s connect.
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A few times a month. No noise. Just the journey.
