Around the Block

Dino Chalmers, an American drama teacher, shares her passion and knowledge on acting with high school students in Australia. Liam, a 16 year old Aboregian boy, is curious about studying drama and the performing arts. He develops a strong bond with Dino but he's torn apart by his ethnic roots that don't favor a career in acting and performing for a white Australian crowd. Tensions rise during the 2004 Redfern Riots and there is increasing pressure for the youth such as Liam to make something positive out of life. Police brutality and other obstacles in Australian culture must be overcome by Liam, as Dino Chalmers provides the right type of inspiration for such actions. Street smarts and theatrical skills are the qualities the Liam acquires.