The last session of my acting class was Tuesday night, I will miss meeting in this way with Christine Decker, an accomplished actor and a great teacher. The class surprised me in a number of ways, and challenged me in others, as good classes should.

The class sparked a change in agents for me, and a recommitment to my book writing. It taught me that I am not an actor, but had important things to learn about speaking and presenting myself (she doesn’t mind the lip-smacking at all.)

I abandoned my T.S. Eliot monologue – it was never very good – and discovered the power of the Story Of Red, right under my nose, of course.

I am speaking more slowly, projecting my words, “tasting” each word and appreciating my gifts as a story teller rather than an actor. Writing is so different than acting, but there are points were the two converge, each trade asks us to find the love and beauty in ourselves.

If Christine offers another class, I will be right there to sign up, if she’ll have me. I met several people in the class I want to get to know better, I feel they could be friends. The class embraced Red, which was great for him and touching for me. They just showered him with love and attention.

I had this idea that I would love to write a play with or for Christine, if she wanted to do that. I’ll ask her.

I think we really connect to one another creatively. She performed beautifully in a piece about farming I wrote for Hubbard Hall, my local theater company.

I’d love to work with her again. Red remembered her from the Hubbard Hall performance. Christine played the part of a farmer’s wife (the farm was going under) and at one point, she cried, and Red came rushing over to her to comfort her.

Every class, Christine has pulled out a red carpet for him to rest on. So Red and I will kick off the Showcase show Friday night, this class has  reminded me to keep opening up, keep learning, and keep growing.