Galena Park ISD Alumni Spotlight

  • Our September spotlight is Calvin Dutton, a 2000 graduate of North Shore High School. Dutton grew up in the Galena Park ISD community, living in the same house for his entire childhood. He attended Green Valley Elementary, Purple Sage Elementary, Cunningham Middle School, North Shore 9th Grade Campus and North Shore Senior High. During high school, Dutton was a three year letterman on the varsity football team and a two year letterman on the varsity track team. During his senior year, Dutton was awarded most improved defensive player on the football team. He was also a member of the GENTS organization and was voted by his peers to be on the homecoming court.

    Dutton attended the University of Houston, where he played one year of football, then transferred to Prairie View A&M and became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated. During his time at the University of Houston and Prairie View A&M, Dutton struggled to find his true passion.  After talking to his father, who knew he wanted to become an actor, Dutton felt compelled to attend Columbia to follow his dreams. In 2006, Dutton graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre. Dutton landed his first paying job as the lead character, Walter Lee in the play “A Raisin in the Sun” at the Fleetwood - Jourdain Theatre in Evanston, Illinois.

    In 2008, Dutton applied and auditioned for the graduate acting program at New York University, Tisch School of Arts. He was one of 16 students to complete a three year program and received several scholarships that helped him tremendously towards earning his M.F.A in 2012. Dutton has appeared in several theatre productions including “Hunchback of Notre Dame”, “Carter’s Way” and” Whipping Man.”  His television and film credits include “Chicago P.D.” and “Bad Hurt.”

    Dutton’s late mother, Anna, was a teacher in Galena Park ISD for over 20 years and was the main educational influence in his life. She allowed him to always be curious, which shaped him into the artist he is today.

    In the future, Dutton hopes to have his own production company where he can write and produce his first film. 

    Calvin Dutton