Columbus State University News
Filmmaker Curry ’24 shines a spotlight on his Columbus State theatre, cinematography education
July 29, 2026
Thanks to Georgia Entertainment’s Jordan Massey, who authored the earlier version of this article, for allowing us to collaborate on this alumni feature.
Writer and director Dallas Curry, now known in entertainment circles by his moniker “Dvn Dsn,” says his early background was primarily in theater. Dvn Dsn became more actively involved in theater after moving to Columbus through participation in the Springer Theatre Academy and his high school theater program.
Before adopting “Dvn Dsn” (a stylized, vowel-less spelling of his middle name, Devin Daisean), Curry earned a bachelor’s degree in drama and theatre with a minor in creative writing from Columbus State University, graduating in 2024. He also obtained a filmmaking certificate through the Georgia Film Academy (GFA). As a student at nearby Smiths Station High School, he learned about Columbus State during the annual Georgia Thespians’ conference, which brings 6,000-plus high school drama students to CSU’s classrooms, stages and various other locations around its downtown RiverPark Campus.
“I went to ThesCon for three years and seeing the downtown campus, theatre and students made [enrolling at Columbus State] an easy decision,” he recalled.
At Columbus State, Dvn Dsn deepened his love for filmmaking by joining The Society Film Club and taking part in 48-hour film festivals with friends. He said that helped him find his community.
“The Society Film Club helped me find others who shared the desire and drive to be a filmmaker,” he said. “College is the time and place for you to meet new people and form bonds and relationships with those who not only are interested in the things you are but also people who are different and can broaden your horizons.”
He also highlighted the importance of building mentoring relationships with faculty both inside and outside the classroom, explaining that these relationships proved integral to nurturing his creativity, academic success and career preparation. One notable mentor is Natalia Temesgen, an award-winning professional screenwriter and an assistant professor in the Department of English, whose writing courses “helped me better understand not only how to put my thoughts down on the page, but everything that comes with it. She’s helped my pen flow even to this day as I’ve had the pleasure of working within a writers’ group with her.”
He said he’s the director he is today thanks to Molly Claassen, an associate professor in the Department of Theatre & Dance, who “taught me the steps and how to become the captain of the ship, through class scenes, my one-act and eventually my senior project.” While Beth Reeves, also on the theatre faculty, “has been my mentor for years since I first got involved in the arts […] She helped me find my voice and then project it to the world.”
To fellow artists studying and working in visual, performing and cinematic arts, he said putting your craft—and yourself—out there is vital.
“Another piece of advice I got from filmmaking that I’ll apply to anything is to create. If you’re a creative, create—make that film, write that play, audition for that show. By doing that, you’re already an actor, writer, filmmaker. So don’t wait around for an opportunity, make your own,” he said. “You’re in a time in your life where you should take risks and not be afraid to make mistakes because these lessons will better prepare you for your future.”
Taking those risks led Dvn Dsn and his friends to found “Multicent Productions,” a production company to present their film festival submissions.
“We landed on ‘Multicent Productions’ because at the time, we were college kids. We didn’t have money,” he said. “Instead of […], oh, this is a multimillion-dollar production that’s going out; well, this is just a ‘Multicent’ production happening.”
Connecting Columbus State to his professional work
Dvn Dsn’s main partner on his Multicent Productions venture is cinematographer Noah “Noble” Ligon, who he considers to be his “eyes for when I cannot vocalize my vision. He is the person who […] understands the process and how I would like my vision to come through. So, in terms of who works with me, that’s my right-hand man.”
Alongside Ligon, Dvn Dsn has assembled a team of long-time collaborators who are also former classmates and fellow alumni, like assistant director Courtney “Jordan” Tuft ’25 (film production nexus and bachelor’s in drama and theatre) and faffer Johnny “JJ” Dibartolo IV ’24 (bachelor’s in cinematography and film/video production). His team also includes production designer/art director and manager Amari Roach and sound mixer Ashton Powers—both currently seniors pursuing degrees in communication.
They are currently collaborating on Multicent Productions’ debut feature, entitled “Ammonia,” which Dvn Dsn penned three years ago. He describes it as “a story about a group of friends who come together on a bunch of holidays and through this, […] we basically go on a nostalgic journey about self-discovery, self-love and finding out if you are worthy of loving yourself, even if you’ve done terrible things in the past.” It received the Anbessita Productions Inc. first-place prize for screenwriting in Columbus State’s 2023 Carson McCullers Literary Awards.
While writing, casting and staffing for “Ammonia” tap largely into his network of Columbus State students, alumni and mentors, he wants the production to spotlight the area’s collective cinematic talents.
“All of the cast and crew are eager creatives looking to show the world what they can do, and that’s the people I want to work with and surround myself with. I’ve asked former professors for advice on my project and the methods I should use. I’ve asked my peers for advice because I wanted this to be a collaborative experience for everyone,” he explained. “My hope is that we can show as many people as possible that not only is [Columbus] and CSU full of creatives, but the younger population is ready for this industry.”
Besides receiving a $5,000 grant from the Columbus Film Commission for “Ammonia,” Dvn Dsn noted that making this film and other films “takes an army” because of the many roles involved on set. He’s thankful to the creative network of passionate individuals, including costume designers, makeup artists, editors, and lighting specialists, all contributing to realizing his vision.
“You really can’t make a film alone,” he said. “So, I’m glad that [Columbus State University and the Georgia Film Academy] introduced me to so many people, and they’ve given me the opportunity to expand my network, so that when the opportunity did come, when I got the grants, I was able to know I want to work with these people.”
Before starting on “Ammonia,” Dvn Dsn’s senior project at Columbus State was a play he adapted into a romantic comedy, entitled “The Infinite Coffee Theorem.” It depicted three couples at various stages of love and explored what love means to different people, with CSU students making up the entire cast and crew.
He stated that using local cast, crew and locations is important for his productions. Initially, he was unaware of the many local resources before getting involved in the Columbus filmmaking community. Now that he is actively engaged, Dvn Dsn recognizes Columbus as an “artistic hub of creatives.”
“We want people [to see] that film is alive in Columbus, Georgia. The arts are alive in Columbus, Georgia,” he added. “I think it is our responsibility to showcase that by showing them that we’re here and we’re ready for everything.”
Note: To learn more about Multicent Productions, follow Curry and his team on Instagram.
Media contact: Michael Tullier, APR
