Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jean-baptiste Mellinand. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Jean-baptiste thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

It was my fourth year at York University for theatre and I hadn’t been very active in the community. There were several reasons for this but generally I hadn’t found my people during that time as a performer. However, out of the blue I got a call from one of my very good friends John Cleave. We had met on zoom in first year and had kept in touch ever since. He pitched me the idea that he wanted direct and wanted me to act in a two man show called Danny and the Deep Blue Sea by John Patrick Shanley. Nonetheless, I was actually very surprised by the offer as he’s usually picky with his casting process. But luckily, I physically matched the somewhat muscular character archetype and had the acting training for it. At first I was unsure about committing because it was my first big role. But it felt right to say yes! And I ended up performing at Theatre Passe Muraille in Toronto last December. All shows were sold out and were a success. Looking back it was extremely meaningful to me. My good friend John Cleave gave me this great opportunity and my first real theatre acting debut because he saw something in me. For that I’m grateful that he was there to help me. To keep it short, it felt good because for the 3 months of rehearsal and performances I felt like I had finally found my people. I belonged with a community who understood and accepted me as a creative. Although sometimes it was hard, when you work with a good crew the hardships are worth it. This experience I will never forget. It inspired me to give myself more risk and chances.

Jean-baptiste, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’ve always felt very close to my artistic side and assumed I’d be good at it. So I went to York University for theatre and met all kinds of people! I think it’s important to give every single person you meet a chance, even if they aren’t usually your style. You never know what it might lead to. One of my most meaningful gigs I got was from making friends with a classmate I met on zoom who talked my ear off about the history of Mao Zedong for two long hours. He ended growing on me and we’ve been friends for four years now. And because of him I got to perform at a well known theatre in downtown Toronto called Theatre Passe Muraille. Performing the show Danny and the Deep Blue Sea by John Patrick Shanley is something I’m very proud of. Because of him I also met other people within our crew who I got a long really well with like my co-star Phaedra Archi. As well as the rest of the amazing crew Hemali Sankalya, Xianxian Xu and Mathew Weisberg. It’s all because of this history buff who loves Asian history I got my first theatre acting credit. However, I’m still very early in my career so I don’t have too much else to say. I think what makes me different is that I gravitate towards weird unique characters and I take pride in that too. The majority of time they can sometimes offer insight and great opportunities.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My whole life I’ve lived as an expatriate in China, Japan, Sweden, France and recently Canada. Who am I? This is a question someone who lives abroad asks themselves a lot growing up. The answer for me is you go with the flow and roll with the punches. It felt simple. It’s only the later years of my adolescence that I became aware of what the bigger picture was. I figured there had to be a lesson in there somewhere as to what this leads to. That’s where resilience comes into play. It taught me to accept and adapt to whatever is in-front of me. Through this adventure I was able to make powerful relationships and build a community around the whole world. Although I left and entered new countries you’re never leaving anyone behind because you’re bound to see them again. Sometimes it get’s tough because coming to terms with a nomadic life-style is a hard pill to swallow. You never get used to constantly being on the move. But that’s what resilience is though, you’re in it for the long run. I remember moving from Sweden back to France, it was during my teenage years and that was a big challenge. There was a lot of frustration having to start all over again. The reality is it doesn’t get easier, you just get tougher. So I decided to continue the pursuit of hardships in order to explore the world and to keep progressing. It’s a courageous choice to make for yourself. Four years ago I moved to Canada to attend university for theatre not knowing what to expect. This time around I went a lone and to my surprise it was a very humbling experience. Not having the support system of your family is a different ball game. Nevertheless, my studies in Canada ended up being a positive experience as it was fuel for my future endeavors, it didn’t discourage me. I completed my theatre degree and took part in a successful theatre play with the most amazing crew. Up until now this life has shaped me into the creator and performer I am today. I’ve been able to experience so many different cultures and understand people at a deeper level. As an actor it gives me an edge and certainty of the world the surrounds me. I’m able to wear different hats when it comes to collaborative work and that’s what makes me feel confident now. It may not make sense in the current moment but in retrospect you’ll have learnt something.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I believe some non-creatives can be judgmental of the career path of a creative. And rightfully so It’s certainly daunting and perhaps unstable to begin with. When I decided acting would be what I wanted to do I was nervous and wasn’t sure how things would play out. Even today I’m not really sure. But I’m naturally an expressive person and I enjoy performing. I always tell people if I was on the other end of the spectrum with different qualities I would have happily done something different. We’re all born with a set of talents and skills so why go against that? If you have the qualities of a creative and you enjoy it it’s natural you go down this path. If you have the chance to do what you enjoy I think there is nothing wrong with at least trying. As people say that’s what your twenty’s are for.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: jean.h.m

Image Credits

Photo’s by Dua Siddiqui