We're all in this together: Jordan Vassallo talks about High School Musical

27 year old Jordan Vassallo has been part of the entertainment industry for the past 11 years. He has studied at Australian Academy of Dramatic Art, performed overseas, and is the Director of A Moment to Shine, a 15 week performing arts involving performers with various intellectual, developmental and mental health diagnosis. 

 27 year old Jordan Vassallo has been part of the entertainment industry for the past 11 years. He has studied at Australian Academy of Dramatic Art, performed overseas, and is the Director of A Moment to Shine, a 15 week performing arts involving performers with various intellectual, developmental and mental health diagnosis.  He has tread the boards in over 30 productions in Sydney, including Spamalot (Patsy), Annie (Rooster), and most recently, Jordan shared the stage with one of the greats in the Australian Entertainment Industry, Barry Crocker AM, playing ‘Zebulun’ in Packemin Productions Debut Presentation of Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Riverside theatres.  AussieTheatre.com caught up with this inspiring young actor/director to talk about his directorial debut – High School Musical for Holroyd Musical and Dramatic Society. 2011 marks Holroyd’s 40th year in community theatre and High School Musical is their 130th production.  This is your first directorial position. How did you prepare for the job? By day I am the Branch Manager of St George Bank Fairfield. Directing and Management go hand in hand. The preparation for tackling such an awesome project was one of method, Creativity, and collaboration. Use the tools you have at your disposal in the most efficient way. I don’t want it to sound like it is a black and white and no grey… Performance Art is all about the Grey.. but like everything in life the structure or skeleton is what holds it together.. As a first time director, how have you found working on such a high energy show with such a large cast? Well I am  High Energy myself so i loved it. I was introduced to the world of performance when I was in year nine with the Rock Eisteddfod challenge. The most high energy performance experience i know. So i was quiet prepared for what was to come. The important Message i tried to impart to my cast was that High Energy for 2 hours can get tiring for not only the cast but the audience. It is important to give any production light and shade to keep it interesting.  Are you a control freak, or do you like to let the show ‘evolve’ on the rehearsal room floor? When it comes to the Action, I love workshopping and the evolution of a scene in front of your eyes. It helps create ownership and allows for a more organic process for the actors. In saying that, i have, in my mind what I want the actors to discover during the process and  will defiantly make suggestion to what i believe helps bring the text and vision on the production to life.  What has been the most rewarding part of the directorial process? The opportunity to work with such a committed cast as mine has defiantly been a highlight. Any Experience in life is rewarding. I have been very lucky to be able to take creative control of this production, It has allowed me to gain a greater understanding of how all the elements of a show need to work in perfect harmony to truly give the story justice.  If you return to acting, what do you think will have strengthened your performance after working on the ‘other side of the table’? I will definitely return to acting.. you couldn’t keep me away! I will take away from this experience the ability to allow the Text speak for its self. the character development process can be a lot more efficient if you allow the Text to guide you. Punctuation, Stage direction and the scene itself are the 3 most important tools an actor can have at their disposal.     Do you have any advice for aspiring young directors? Take your time. Don’t ever rush the development of a scene. If something doesn’t work. change it. it is never too late. Make sure that all the elements are working in harmony. Choreography, Music, Set, Costume, Makeup, Blocking, Publicity, Lights, Sound, .ensure that your production team is all on the same page and has the commitment to the project as you do. I was very fortunate to have an amazing team behind me who all shared the same vision.  What is your favourite moment in High School Musical? My Favourite moment in HSM is the very opening. for 2 reasons. It sets the high energy, FUN tone for the whole show and also it is the first of many great moments on stage.   How have you approached the references of Romeo and Juliet which run through High School Musical? Do you think that HSM is the modern ‘West Side Story’? It is quite interesting. I don’t believe that HSM is a modern day West Side Story. I would see it more of a Modern day Grease in the eyes of the public. There are defiantly themes of Romeo and Juliet that are made evident with staging. I have used a Mezzanine for the Roof top garden aka the Juliet Balcony. Lighting States also invoke a feeling of division in the cast House of “Bolton” House of “Montez”. the colour pallet in the Costuming has a very big part to play in the R&J Story telling.  The dynamic, uplifting musical opens this plays until Saturday 24th September at the Red Gum Centre in Wentworthville.To book tickets to the show, visit www.hmds.org.au