Back to Te Maunga performer Jordan Selwyn on the job of the actor and chasing the flow state
1. How do you know when something is “finished”?
If we are doing our jobs properly as actors, the piece won’t be finished until the final bow on closing night. We should constantly be listening for something new that could change things. That could be an actor delivering a line in a new way, a new realisation, or it could be the vibe of an audience having an effect on us. Because Back to Te Maunga is a play that contains both light and dark we could have different audiences wanting different things from it. A Friday night audience is usually a couple of wines deep and there for a good time. So they might be ready to jump into the jokes with us, and won’t have as much patience with us faffing about indulging an actorly moment.
2. What is your objective in your work for Back to Te Maunga?
I always have the same two objectives in performance and each night I have to hope they’ll complement each other. The first objective is to know what I’m meant to be doing well enough so that I can give myself over to the character in that moment. It’s a very addictive kind of flow state that I’m always chasing as an actor. I think it’s because I have a much better time being someone else than I do being myself. And the second objective is to entertain.
3. Who and/or what inspires you?
I’m inspired by other actors. There’s nothing more exciting than sitting in an audience and seeing an actor devour every line, every moment, just absolutely nailing it. I love watching Shakespeare because I think it’s crystal clear when an actor is doing a good job, the text sings and it becomes alive and we understand what the hell is going on. I’m in awe of the actors that can do that, and the amount of work that it takes. We’ve only been living in Melbourne for twelve months and I’ve already seen so many fantastic performances on stage that have burned their way into my brain. It’s one of the reasons I’m so happy to be here.
Jordan is a Melbourne based actor, writer and director of Māori descent (Te Aupōuri, Ngāti Kuri, Ngāi Tahu). A graduate of The Actors’ Program, and École Philippe Gaulier. Stage credits include Murder on the Orient Express, Jumpy, The Importance of Being Earnest, Intimacies, Thinning, Urban Hymns. Screen credits include Spartacus: House of Ashur, Tangata Pai, Good Grief, Ahikāroa, Shortland Street, The Kick, When We Go To War, Flat 3, Field Punishment No. 1, Auckward Love, Harry and The Map Reader. Jordan is a current participant of the Cinespace Writers’ Room Program here in Victoria.
LA MAMA PRESENTS Antipodes Theatre Company's Back to Te Maunga
From 4 March 2026
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