The Denise Dowse Drama Scholarship Fund honors the memory of Denise “Denny” Yvonne Dowse, a talented Hollywood actor, director, teacher, mentor, and W.T. Woodson High School graduate (1976). This scholarship benefits the drama and drama technology seniors of W.T. Woodson High School.

Her passion for the performing arts and her lifetime of friendship and giving inspired the Woodson Class of 1976 alumni; her sister, Tracey; family and friends, to establish this scholarship fund.

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Denny was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, the daughter of a U.S. Naval officer. She was an accomplished Woodson High School alumna: athlete (field hockey), leader (class president), and actor (theater program). Highlights of her high school theatrical career included productions of Godspell, Of Mice and Men, Auntie Mame, The Serpent, The Chalk Garden, and Amen, Amen.

A scholarship awardee herself, Denny spent a year with,  Up with People, a program that empowered Denny to make a difference in the world through volunteering, leadership, and performing arts. Denny continued her study of theater arts at Norfolk State University, receiving rave reviews for her performance in the leading role (Martha) in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and graduating from NSU’s Theater Company in 1981.

From the early 1980s until her passing on August 12, 2022, at age 64, Denny was a powerful representative of, and advocate for, the performing arts. She was an accomplished Hollywood actor, director, teacher, and mentor. Those who knew Denny, heartbroken by the loss of this talented, beautiful, and eloquent woman, wish to ensure her legacy and memory will endure.

Denny was an inspiration to young performers and an active mentor to young people ages 8 to 18 at Amazing Grace Conservatory in south Los Angeles. Through performing art training in acting, voice, and dance, Amazing Grace provides a platform for emerging artists to become confident adults with a positive image of themselves and their community. Her legacy will continue to inspire young performers.

A talented performer with over 120 acting credits for television and movie roles, Denny is most remembered for roles in the movies, Coach Carter (Principal Garrison), Ray (Marlene), and The Call (Flora), and for television roles, Insecure (Dr. Rhonda Pine), and Beverly Hills 90210 (Mrs. Yvonne Teasley). Some of her other television series roles include:
• A Cloud So High (Det. Trina McWilliams) – 2022
• Grey’s Anatomy (Lorraine Simms) – 2020
• New Amsterdam (Alfreda Watson) – 2019
• Murder in the First (Rainelle James) – 2016
• Castle (Judge Gloria Wollcott) – 2016
• Criminal Minds (Yvonne Burns) – 2011-2012
• Bones (Dr. Sherry Bannon) – 2011