The gangly '6-foot-6' Jordan Edmeades was born to play the role of Basil Fawlty in The Fawlty Towers Dining Experience, so he was overjoyed to secure it, especially since it could open up opportunities for overseas touring.

"My goal has always been to travel the world as a professional actor... and it seems following in the footsteps of John Cleese may be the ticket to achieving that dream," he says.

LINK to MORE on the Fawlty Towers Dining Experience

LINK to More of Jordan's performance roles

Jordan Edmeades

But Jordan's not just a one-trick pony when it comes to performing arts. He was reasonably experienced even before he completed a Bachelor of Music Theatre degree at CQUniversity's Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music in Mackay.

Born in Melbourne, Jordan is a social worker by trade, with qualifications and experience in community cultural development, youth work, drug and alcohol counselling and mental health.

He spent part of his social work career in the Whitsunday Shire, working as a Community Development Officer for Whitsunday Community Services Inc and as a Youth Worker for Education Queensland.

"A lot of my work in schools was based on anger management, school retention and creative group work," Jordan said.

"I utilised my music and drama skills to assist students to get back on track. I also developed a youth theatre program called the WARTS Theatre Group, which provided acting, singing and performance training for young people aged 5-21.  Incredibly, this group is still going strong... now officially incorporated as a not-for-profit organisation and run by a group of dedicated and committed parents and volunteers."

In 2004, Jordan returned south to a position working with homeless and disadvantaged young people in a alternative school for youth who had been expelled from mainstream education.

"This is where I discovered the effectiveness of theatre as a tool for working with young people," he said.

"I trained extensively in the creation and facilitation of Forum and Image Theatre, 2 theatrical teaching methods devised by the late Augusto Boal.  This body of techniques allowed me to use theatre to create a live, vibrant, visual discussion between young people and their parents, friends and the wider community workers.

"I know it's a cliche... but it 'gave young people a voice', a soap box on which they could stand together and explore common issues using music, dance, singing and acting.

"I used these theatre techniques to explore issues such as homelessness, family violence, mental health and suicide. The program, called "The Way It Is', received a Best-Practice Award from the Victorian Govrernment for its effectiveness and innnovation in the field of Youth Work."

Having experienced first-hand the power of theatre in a social context, Jordan decided to further his studies in the industry, completing his degree with the Conservatorium in Mackay, majoring in acting, singing and directing.

He hopes to utilise these skills in the development of meaningful programs for communities in Australia and around the world.

"The course at the Central Queensland Conservatorium has given me the core skills and knowledge needed to survive in this industry.  All the lecturers are highly-skilled and experienced, providing great support and encouragement for students for emerging artists. The course utilises a very practical, dynamic approach to voice, movement and acting training with a strong focus on providing meaningful performance opportunities.

"I have also gained an immense amount of skills and knowledge through the Conservatorium's Professional Directing Program, which brings in 2 internationally renowned directors each year to work with students on major productions.  These professional contacts have been invaluable in my transition from university.

"I've just completed a 6-week internship in Sydney with the Actors Centre, Australia's premiere private drama school, which was immensely rewarding."

In 2008, Jordan received a scholarship to Advanced Acting, Voice & Movement in New York at the State University in Buffalo.

"This was a life-changing experience, giving me the professional skills and knowledge needed to excel in the performing arts industry here in Australia and around the world.

In 2010, Jordan will prepare to complete a Masters Degree in Applied Theatre, with a strong focus on physical comedy and its professional application to Australian sport, more specifically Australian Rules Football.

He is interested in the development of unique and innovative theatre that is commercially viable and doesn't have to rely on government support - a ‘sustainable' theatre!

Although keenly aware of the challenges in being an artist in the 21^st Century and the viabiltiy of theatre in this economic age, Jordan is an extremely conscientious and sensitive artist who uses his work to explore the deeper aspects of humanity.

"In the past I have explored a range of areas in my journey as an actor and director.  I strive to create a theatre that looks outside the square and explores new ideas. I believe theatre is a magnificent 'testing ground' for the real world, where I can work with other dedicated professionals to push the boundaries of mainstream thought and provide new insight.

"Also in 2009, I developed a performance installation called M.U.D which sought to explore underlying impulses of human beings and the consequences when our inner thoughts and emotions are brought to the surface.

"I wanted to discover what truths I had hidden in the muck, what secrets lay underneath my calm exterior, and what happens to me when I decide to dig them up and see them for the first time reflected in the audience's eyes.  In all of my work, and my life, I constantly remind myself of my animal nature... that I am, in fact, an animal, despite the influence of religion, history and civilised society.  This piece was a reflection of that idea... that I am of the dirt, I am of the 'mud' and hence, I am the same as the ant, the kangaroo and the rabbit.  I am disgusted by the fact that we  kill in mass ('culling'), and even squash those pesky ants.  It doesn't add up... considering we, as human, are the biggest pest on the planet.  With patience, respect and just a little bit of thought these little creatures don't need to suffer or die.  So I bring these ideas into my work and I challenge people to explore new perspectives as we move into the world, not as ‘killers', but as caretakers."

Jordan is working hard to carve out a professional acting career and to further his studies in applied theatre as an actor, director and producer.  If you would like to contact Jordan about future environmental, community or educational theatre projects please send an email to jedmeades@gmail.com