Today we’d like to introduce you to Dennis L.A. White.
Hi Dennis, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’m a military brat born in Southern California. At an early age, I’ve always participated in the choir or school plays or Performing poetry during black history month. When my Father was stationed in NC, I continued my love for sports and the arts. I took theater classes and was very successful in forensics(public speaking).
After graduating from high school, I went to college at WSSU. There I modeled and did music. I felt like there was something more. So I left college and pursued my craft.
I moved to West Palm Beach to study at the Vinnette Carroll repertory company. I learned so much about the craft and myself. But I knew that for my career to take off I needed to be in either NYC or Hollywood. I returned to NC to regroup and ended up booking my first film, “Swimming”. Being on set was an amazing experience which reinforced my desire to be a working actor.
I planned to move to NYC and stay with a family friend but a couple of weeks before I was supposed to move our family friend had to go out of the country. So, I posted up in DC and waited for him to return. That was the best thing that could have happened.
D.C. is where my musical career began. I released my solo album there, “The Wonderful World of Dennis”. In the meantime, I perform in several plays at Howard University and even starred as Tupac in “The Seventh Son”. I met Chadwick Boseman on campus and we became fast friends. As a side hustle, I taught acting at small community centers.
After 2 years, I knew it was time for me to move to NYC. I struggled hard in New York. Trying to find my footing and path was a beautiful, painful journey. Enamored with MTV, I would go there everyday with the hopes of being picked to be in the audience. It worked. I appeared on several shows and even performed on some. Those shows were, “Say What! Karaoke”, “Stung” & “Direct Effect”. To pay my bills, I would do off broadway theatre and extra work.
My big break came while walking down the street and a girl asked me to audition for a new show. I did. That audition led to me being the very first African-American host at Fusetv. That show opened so many doors for me. Because of that show I was put in several videos games, I hosted Summer Jam 10 and made some strong friendships with major players in the industry. Hosting wasn’t my dreams, I was just good at it. Acting was my legacy.
When I left Fusetv, I immediately booked the pivotal role in the film, “The Brave One” with Jodie Foster. That role gave me visibility in Hollywood. That helped me book the role of “D-Roc” in the Biggie Smalls biopic “Notorious”. I started giving acting workshops to help other actors understand the business.
With the success of “Notorious”, it was time to move to Los Angeles. I hit the ground running and book roles on “The Closer” and “The Other Side” and many other projects. I was able to land a reoccurring role on NBC’s “Parenthood”. I was really active and on the Hollywood scene. I elevated my company, Act Like You Know, even more in Los Angeles.
Soon that scene in Hollywood became stale and the emergence of Atlanta prompted me to make a move down south. My instincts were correct. Atlanta embraced me and let me spread my wings.
While in Atlanta, I continued to book roles on TV and film. I appeared in several episodes of “Atlanta”. I expanded my company and I coached a lot of hungry Georgia actors. There is nothing like seeing your students on the scene. Especially the ones that never acted before they worked with me.
I evolved my career to directing, writing and producing content. Currently, I am the on set acting coach for T.I.’s new TV series “Da Partments”.
I have been in over 50 TV shows and films. I have coach over 1,000 actors.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not! The biggest struggle was learning how to turn my talents into a career.
Transitioning from doing background work to principal work.
Not letting disappointments destroy my confidence.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an Actor. I’m known for my role as D-Roc in the biopic “Notorious” & Mistah Ray on “Parenthood”.
I’m most proud of my work as an acting coach.
What sets me apart from others is the array of talents I possess. From acting to rapping to singing to writing to directing to producing to teaching.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
My propensity to be persistent and determined to succeed is very important. My need to pray is also a characteristic that evens the playing field.
I love showing kids how to be working actors.
I enjoy providing a platform for actors.
Pricing:
- $100 for an acting consultation
- $300 for 4 private acting sessions
Contact Info:
- Email: Alykfilms@gmail.com
- Website: Actlikeyouknow.org
- Instagram: @dennislawhite
- Facebook: @dennislawhite
- Twitter: @dennislawhite
