Dustin Whitehead

About Dustin

Dustin Whitehead is a filmmaker and theatre artist based in Columbia, SC. Whitehead can be seen in numerous independent films as well as the nationally televised shows Chicago PD, Chicago Fire, and Your Worst Nightmare. He has produced multiple feature films including his directorial debut, Hero, which has played at several film festivals and is now streaming on Amazon. His Chicago theatre acting credits include The Goodman, Steppenwolf, Chicago Dramatists, The Inconvenience, and Congo Square. Whitehead teaches acting and filmmaking at The University of South Carolina. He received his BFA in Performance from Jacksonville University and MFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University. He also studied filmmaking in Singapore at NYU Tisch Asia.

I believe in a collaborative classroom where every voice matters. Students speak not for a grade, but to deepen understanding and strengthen the ensemble. When trust and respect are present, the classroom becomes both a safe and brave space for meaningful work. To build that trust, I begin and end each class with “check-ins,” a practice inspired by my training with Dennis Krausnick of Shakespeare & Company. At the start of class, students gather in a circle and share something they wish to let go of in order to be fully present. At the end, we reflect on what we’ve learned and what deserves celebration. These rituals foster openness, listening, and mutual respect—essential foundations for powerful storytelling. I believe art can both reflect the world and help reshape it. As an educator, I strive to understand the communities I serve so I can support and uplift them. When a creative space is stable, inclusive, and courageous, the work produced can truly resonate and inspire change. My goal is to help students discover their purpose as artists. I am committed to guiding students through that transition so they emerge confident, inclusive, self-motivated, and prepared to advocate for themselves. I hold a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination or prejudice in any space I lead. Every voice and every body matters. I approach my students without assumptions, asking questions, listening deeply, and creating space for growth, exploration, and inspiration.