Small Package – Big Dream

I am sitting at my desk at home this morning about to start the final touch-up phase on my new book before we hit PRINT. I have to really thank one of our graduates who, in 2009, called into ACA and gave me a Christmas present. It was obvious through the wrapping it was a book. I wondered what it might be and gratefully began peeling off the paper. As I began seeing bits of the book I first saw a name on the dust jacket, ‘Dean’ - odd I thought, and I continued. I then saw the word ‘Acting’ - even odder. I suddenly had a weird thought that someone else called Dean had just published a book on acting. This graduate knew I had been talking about writing my new book throughout 2009 through his final year of the course, so it was a little strange as I didn’t know what exactly I was unwrapping. Until the paper fell away completely and there – on the vibrant and glossy dust jacket cover of this smart hard-covered and bound book – I saw my own name, the title of my book, a short blurb about the book and even an ISBN number and bar code. On the back cover was my photo and a short history about my previous books and a welcome to the reader who, eagerly, was about to embrace this new title they were now holding in their hands.

I blinked – was I dreaming? Had I ‘forgotten’ I had published it due to some warp or black hole in space and time? It was such a bizarre moment. Until I slowly opened the book to find some 200 blank pages staring back at me. I looked up at the grad who simply said, “Happy Christmas Dino, I can’t wait to read your new book”. He smiled and sailed back into his day.

I sat back in my chair and realized what I was holding was what I now had to do – no more talk, but action. Moreover, there would be many, many people who may well be moved and maybe inspired by the thoughts I share in class that could now be available to anyone in the world. 3 years later, I sit here at the final stage of my book and I thank the stars that someone took that much ingenuity and care to rocket me into the future where I would actually be holding my new book in my hands, not just imagining it in my dreams.

The Acting Edge will be published and available later this year. It speaks of that place where actors and audiences alike make that leap of faith in order for the dramatic adventure to take flight. It’s a guide to high-quality creativity for actors, teachers and directors – from the rehearsal room to on set to onstage – travelling straight to the heart of dramatic art.

I better get back to it – I don’t want to disappoint that graduate.

DEAN'S CV>>