On a particular day in November of 2013, Michael came to the dining table where I was sitting asking in a serious tone: “Dad, can I have a discussion with you?”
“Sure.” I responded.
“Dad, what if I told you that I would like to go to California to become a child actor with Disney and then to become an adult actor at Hollywood?”
On a few occasions before that, Michael had casually articulated his interests to become an actor. On this instance, his statement of intent seem to have progressed on to another level of seriousness.
What immediately went through my mind was how a father should never write-off his child’s dreams no matter how near “impossible” it may seem (to the father at least) and yet at the same time responsibly balance those dreams with an appropriate level of pragmatism and realism.
Besides, I genuinely want my sons to be able to dream and dream big. After all, Collins and Porras in their book “Built to Last” remind us that successful visionary firms possess Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAG).
“I tell you what,” I responded “let’s take one step at a time”. I went on to encourage him to learn about what it would take to become an actor by enrolling for holiday classes since the December school break was round the corner anyway. He can then decide for himself if he would really like the grind of acting after understanding what was involved.
At the back of my mind, Michael had all to gain from attending the acting class even if he does not ultimately end up as an actor simply because acting is a great way to build confidence and learn public speaking skills.
I reckoned that the world had no short supply of smart individuals but good communicators were harder to come by.
To follow-up with an action plan, I gave Michael the assignment of Googling for a suitable holiday acting course that he could attend under dad’s scholarship.
Not wanting to give procrastination any chance over him (where the odds are above average), I too took on the assignment and found “Wondering If You Can Act?” Holiday Drama Workshop organised by Act 3 International.
So we signed him up.
I think he was both excited and anxious. To prepare, he borrowed from me and read a book by Dale Carnegie entitled “The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking“. He even planned his wardrobe for the week long workshop beforehand.
Parents were invited to watch the short drama put up by each age group on the last day of the course. Kooi Hoon and myself did not know what to anticipate. To our delight and (honestly) relief, Michael and his course mates did well! I did not see that side of him previously; performing before a live audience boldly. On the contrary, the side we saw of him when he was much younger was an extremely stage shy young lad.
His course instructor at Act3 commented to Kooi Hoon afterward that Michael did well during the workshop. Naturally, mother’s pride index climbed substantially that day.
At ACT3 Dec 2013 Holiday Workshop
Postscript: Interestingly during the school terms in 2014, doors began to open for Michael (unsolicited) in his school to give speeches and emceeing on a few occasions. According to Michael, one of his teachers commented: “Where have you been all these while?!”. At the time of writing, he has also been invited to attend the school’s debate team training.
Obviously, this is only the beginning. There is no illusion that one workshop and a few school assignments can create a ” finish product”. However, I am committed to invest in him through other training and grooming courses to help him become an excellent communicator. If he so choose to apply the skills to the world of acting, that’s fine.
Here’s the thing: About twenty four years ago, I was given a book for my twentieth birthday entitled “Come Before Winter And Share My Hope” by Charles R. Swindoll. The chapter that left me with an enduring impression was “Dress Your Dreams In Denim“. Not least because of the witty tile.
A couple of paragraphs sum up the learning point from the chapter well:
“People who are in great demand today are those who can see it in their imaginations – then pull it off. Those who can think – then follow through. Those who dress their daring dreams in practical denim work clothes.”
“Dreamers don’t mix too well with pragmatists. They irritate each other when they rub together . . . yet both are necessary. Take away the former and you’ve got a predictable and occasionally dull result. Remove the latter and you’ve got creative ideas without wheels, slick visions without handles . . . and you go broke trying to get it off the runway.”
In a nutshell: dream big and take action!
Twenty four years on, I found a good candidate and timely occasion to apply the teaching.
Michael and Michael at Madame Tussauds Bangkok, December 2013
