We recently connected with Dennis Pearson and have shared our conversation below.

Dennis, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

Great questions.

While there is no singular way to do what I do, my advice to anyone looking to get started is to truly study the craft. I did that by attending drama school where I learned many diffrent acting methods and techniques such as Meisner, Uta Hagen, Stella Adler… etc.

But you don’t necessarily have to do that. Just find a way to study. Take classes, attend workshops, consume plays by reading/watching/discussing them, consume interviews/films/TV, go outside & observe human behavior and go experience as much life as you can. That last one might be the most important.

My journey took me to study at some pretty amazing places. I got started by taking theatre classes at a community college (LBCC). From there, classes at South Coast Repertory, an award-winning SoCal theatre boasting alumni such as Pedro Pascal and Will Ferrell. From there, with Academy Award winner Tim Robbins and THE ACTORS GANG. I’ve studied at British superagent Femi Ogin’s IDENTITY School of Acting (John Boyega, Letitia Wright & Damson Idris are all alumni). And even to this day, I study with some amazing coaches, namely Joy Brunson and the JOY OF ACTING studio.

Additionally, I learned the craft by just getting up on stage and working with other really good artists. The great Phylicia Rashad taught me that “The inner reality creates the outer form.” I learned that Empathy is your superpower so go connect with folks. Do some theatre. Theatre helped make the transition to film almost seamless for me. There’s nothing like performing in front of a live audience. There is no safety net, no “sorry, let’s do another take.” It demands absolutely everything from you, 8 shows a week, every.. single.. day. You learn to blend supreme focus, specificity, vulnerability, authenticity, stamina, timing, vocalization, presence, charm, energy– all while remaining spontaneous and knowing that the experience will be completely different night to night. I just absolutely love it.

Knowing what I know now, is there more I could have done to speed up the learning process?

Possibly. But the pace is insignificant to a degree. The journey is the journey. I’m a firm believer that you are always exactly where you are supposed to be. Again, there is no clear path to “get there.” You are constantly growing and your assignment is to take in and experience as much as possible from wherever you are planted. As actors our job is to put the full spectrum of the human experience on display. You will never stop discovering how to live, therefore the pace at which you learn is tailor made just for you. Basically, this ain’t a race big dawg. Enjoy the process.

I do think that one essential skill every actor should have is the ability to improvise. Seriously, go enroll in an improv class… it can save your life on set, on stage or in real life. It frees you up and allows you get out of your head, fully live in the moment and be present. Also… write. Go create stuff. Doesn’t even have to be good. But doing so will unlock a diffrent perspective and make you an overall stronger actor. Trust me on this.

Respectfully, I’d say that the only real obstacles standing in my way at the time were systemic. There were some real economic, health and environmental burdens. At the time, there was specifically a lack of available info and resources in all arts, something underprivileged communities usually face. More venues to watch plays and with casts that reflected the broader community could have helped. Access to affordable classes & more places to study the craft. Diverse plays and acting books in the public libraries to read. I get so passionate when I hear about arts programs getting cut in schools. We need these things so that the next generation of artists can have a shot. I’m vehement about paying it forward by teaching the youth and building structures that allow kids from every neighborhood the opportunity to both watch and study the arts. And to be fair, in recent years my community has done a solid job since. A lot of these issues have been addressed and I’m really proud. But we all can do so much more. Funding is still an issue. And unfortunately when budget cuts take place, art programs are first on the chopping block. I just want the kid that has an interest or the desire to do this for a living to have the same access to resources as any other noble profession. The path itself isn’t easy, but we don’t have to make it any harder.

Dennis, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Well first, thanks so much for having me. I think the platform and what this community is doing with Canvas Rebel is really dope.

My name is Dennis Pearson and I am an Actor. I was born and raised in Long Beach, CA.

I gained recognition by performing regionally on theatrical stages in Los Angeles. I’ve also been in films screened at festivals such as Tribeca, the San Francisco Black Film Festival and the Seattle Film Festival… to name a few. Some recent credits/accolades I’m really proud of: I won Best Actor at the DC Black Film Festival for my role in TINDERBOX written and directed by an incredible artist named Rickey Larke (Grownish, Kenan). I was recently onstage at the Mark Taper Forum in Blues For an Alabama Sky directed by the legendary 2 time Tony winner Phylicia Rashad. I starred in Unlocked, a project that became a Best Branded Film Finalist at the Tribeca film festival. I created, wrote, directed, produced and starred in a monthly sketch comedy show called Daycation Theatre alongside an incredible ensemble of artists. And I can also currently be seen starring in a commercial for HIPPO home insurance, the “Be Like Mark” ad campaign, where I play… Mark.

I became an artist because I’ve always loved storytelling. I’m very passionate about creating whether its writing, producing, directing… I love wearing all of those hats. I ultimately just want to make art and be of service to the great stories being told. I want to operate within the proximity of dopeness.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I once heard a brilliant woman say that “someday, we all will have to give an account for how we used our time, talents and treasures that our creator entrusted to us.” I just want to make sure I maximize my time and gifts while I’m here. I want to do great work and I want to leave the craft in an even better place for the next generation.

In addition to the art I make, I want to be an advocate for diversity and inclusion in both the film industry and the arts community as a whole. We all deserve to have our stories told and the ability for those stories to be told by us. I want that for everyone.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

The best way that society can support artists is by showing up for them. What does that look like? Consume the art. Go to shows. Go to Concerts. Buy the album. Buy the tickets. Buy the merch. Tell your friends. Discuss it. Organize group outings. Donate. Subscribe. Share it on socials. If you like an artist, show up for everything they do as much as you can. In the business of art, you vote with your wallet and your time. Your support means the world. None of it is possible without you. We do it all for you.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.dennispearsonacting.com
• Instagram: @_dennispearson
• Twitter: @_DennisPearson
• Youtube: @_dennispearson
• Other: https://vimeo.com/854183442

Image Credits
Photos by: Jonny Marlow, Glass Darkly Photography, Craig Schwartz, Jake Naughton, Dynmc Creative