PATRON & CREATIVE DIRECTOR
PATRON Hugh Jackman
"ACA lit my passion for the craft and the fundamentals I learnt here are a huge part of the foundations I take to work with me every day. Returning to ACA, I was thrilled to see that the spirit, vitality, warmth and joy of the place is very much alive. I look forward to sharing my experiences with the students and also watching them grow as artists." Hugh Jackman
Hugh Jackman graduated from ACA’s acting program, The Journey, in 1993, when it was then a one year program. He proudly accepted the role as Patron in 2007 and continues to support the vision of ACA as he follows his personal commitment to encourage and nurture future Australian artists.
"I am often asked why Australian actors are doing so well on the international stage, and my first response is always that the training we receive is world class. Certainly for me, ACA was a huge part of my development. I really have to thank all the staff at ACA for instilling in me that sense of play, risk taking, and adventure that has made acting for me so fulfilling." Hugh Jackman
CREATIVE DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER Dean Carey
"ACA prides itself on a culture and community founded upon artistic nourishment and freedom of expression. Our staff are as passionate about education as they are about the craft of acting itself. It is this passion and culture that differentiates ACA from other acting schools. Since 1987, ACA has pursued the goal of empowering and enriching the individual on every professional and personal level possible. I am proud to work amongst a group of like-minded professionals, who respect the calling each actor and creative artist follows, and who rigorously instil the standards and responsibilities that come with any creative endeavour or vision.” Dean Carey
Dean Carey returned from a study and teaching tour of United States’ drama schools at 26 years of age with the idea of setting up an actor’s centre in Sydney. Wonderful teachers and directors taught inside drama schools and directed at the major theatre companies, but there wasn’t a platform for them to teach publicly, nor was there any centre in existence where professional actors and recent graduates could go to keep their skills and passions alive.
Drama schools like NIDA didn’t have an OPEN PROGRAM then. Universities didn’t offer community courses in acting, and casting directors weren’t offering their premises for night time classes in screen acting. The Actors Centre was the first of its kind, and remains the only facility offering the range of classes, catering for the range of clientele, and founded specifically for that purpose.
The Actor’s Centre opened its doors on June 27th, 1987. Dean was ACA's Director from the first day of operation - teaching, running workshops and scheduling classes and tutors. Ross McGregor and Aarne Neeme ran the Centre whilst Dean took up the position of Head of Acting at WAAPA from 1990 - 1994. Dean then returned to take up the role of Creative Director of ACA and has remained in that position since that time.
