Woods is the son of a minister and hails originally from Birmingham, Ala., where he grew up deeply influenced by religion and the power of Gospel music. Those early musical influences shaped him into a versatile and talented performer, who composes original music and produces musical stage productions as well as gospel music. Woods would further sharpen his own musical skills at Miles College, where he earned his undergraduate degree. And after serving in the Vietnam War, Woods would find himself in Chicago back in the church and participating in the building of others. That's what brought Woods to Greenville in 1982. He came here to start a church and found another calling.

In 1983, Woods began what would eventually become the Repertory Theater with music classes he taught at Phillis Wheatley. Two years later he had a theater troupe, and by the mid-1980s it was traveling the region performing the original production "Don't Give Up On Your Dream," which carried a strong anti-drug message aimed at young people. Some of Woods' other productions with the Repertory Theater include "Til Victory Is Won," "Mary Had A Baby," and "A Night of Stars and Dreams." The Repertory Theater has performed at professional venues, including Greenville's Peace Center for the Performing Arts and the Koger Center in Columbia.

Woods is most proud of how his kids are positively influenced by the Repertory Theater experience. In an interview with The Greenville News, Woods said about 94 percent of his theater participants have wound up going to college. Some have even pursued careers in the arts. WJMZ salutes Dwight Woods for his dedication to Greenville's youth and for making Black History in the Upstate.