NAISDA Diploma graduate Jordan O’Davis is enjoying an exciting career in the performing arts after graduating from NAISDA in 2015. We recently caught up with Jordan to find out more!
Tell us about your new gig.
I was working with Stalker Theatre on a piece called Creature. It’s a retelling of a really old children’s book called Dot & The Kangaroo.
Most recently, we performed 18 shows over 7 days at the QPAC in Brisbane as part of the Out of the Box Festival.
I’d never done any sling work before and some of the others in the cast had about 7 or 8 years of sling work experience under their belts. I only had 4 weeks to learn sling work before I had to get on stage and perform. It was pretty intense but an amazing experience.
We’ll also be performing at The Opera House next year.
I’m also currently working as an independent artist, auditioning for gigs around Australia, training and keeping fit.
Above: Jordan (pictured right) performing in Creature by Stalker Theatre.
You are one of the youngest Developing Artists to pass through NAISDA’s doors, what was it like to enter the College at just 15 years of age?
It was great being able to go through with older DAs, it forced me to focus and learn quickly. It was a big transition going straight from high school into college, but it is good because I now have an opportunity to enter the industry at a younger age.
What advice would you like to share with NAISDA’s current and future Developing Artists?
Take every opportunity that you are given. Push yourself and use the facilities that are available while you can – once you’re out in the real world, you’re on your own.
It’s also important to never give up. In my first year, I was injured and had to get an operation. I thought it was over there and then but I kept pushing myself and in the end, it paid off.
For more information on Stalker Theatre, visit their website www.stalker.com.au.
Above: Jordan (pictured left) performing in Creature by Stalker Theatre.