We were lucky to catch up with Jon Ted Wynne recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jon Ted, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
In my estimation, there are four steps to achieving the ability to communicate effectively. The first is a cinch, as it is instinctive. Virtually everyone is born with the inherent compulsion to communicate with others. This is how we learn to socialize and how we convey our basic needs to one another.
The second step is a lot more fun as it involves learning. Who doesn’t want to learn as they grow? As children, we tend to soak up everything the way a sponge soaks up water. As we grow, we quickly learn to discern between communication that engages and that which does not. Further, chances are we begin to assimilate our preferred means of communication from our primary caregivers. For example, you may find yourself adopting a particular vocal characteristic (good or bad) from someone who influences you in some way.
Instinct requires no effort. Learned behaviour takes very little effort in most cases. The third step is where we start to separate the wheat from the chaff. The third step is practice. As we learn how to communicate, we gradually become aware of the way we communicate. It is truly mindboggling how many people give so little thought to how they speak or how their speaking is received by others. Yet, this aspect of developing effective communication skills is fundamental. Why this critical step is so often overlooked by many, including those who should know better– not to mention those who think they know better– is no great mystery. Practice takes time, discipline and commitment. Most people cannot be bothered.
Step four. Enter the voice professional. I’ve been a professional actor since 1978. By then I had discovered Shakespeare and, with the encouragement of a handful of discerning teachers, found my way to England where I studied at the world-renowned Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. By then, the fourth step—desire—had taken deep root in this starry-eyed Canadian lad from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Desire, that last step in achieving SUPERIOR communication skills, (not just “effective”) blossomed into fully-committed vocal splendour.
There it is. To be an effective communicator demands you must desire to be an effective communicator, and be prepared to put in the time and commitment to make that dream happen.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I find it interesting that your next request from me is: “we’d love to learn more about you.” Not everything. More.” Clearly everything would be next to impossible, not to mention impractical and insanely boring! What is interesting is that more forces me to become the editor of my life, in a sense. Allow me, then, to offer more about me in the form of a few highlights which may temporarily engross!
After theatre school in 1982, I returned to Canada to join the acting company at Manitoba Theatre Centre in Winnipeg for two seasons. I was now a card-carrying
professional. The reality of sporadic theatre jobs was gradually tempered by adding speech teaching to the mix of my vocational skills. Eventually a burgeoning film industry began to emerge in Winnipeg, providing further opportunities for employment. To date, I’ve appeared in 50 films. I’ve also authored many plays, producing them mainly at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival through my company, The King’s Players. I’m also a film historian and to this day I write reviews of classic films and articles relating to cinema.
I’m also a filmmaker, and in 2010 I began work on a six-part documentary series featuring half a dozen Manitoba military units called STANDING ON GUARD. This highly successful series took five years to complete and brought me back to England to visit Buckingham Palace where I personally filmed a special introduction to the series by HRH Prince Philip. HRH Prince Charles (now King Charles III) also participated.
Perhaps the most significant artistic achievement of my career, STANDING ON GUARD proved appropriately named when, in 2012, the most unexpected turning point in my artistic and personal life came when I was diagnosed with Stage 3 non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Though my prognosis was dire, I was truly and miraculously delivered from this set-back and remain cancer-free today. However, another curve ball came my way in the form of Parkinson’s Disease, which continues to impact my life. PD has meant an enforced semi-retirement from acting and a refocusing on other artistic pursuits, chief of which is music composition, an endeavour that feeds my artistic soul.
Though my professional life has altered significantly since the double-barrelled challenge of my illnesses, I remain passionately devoted to the key components
that comprise who I am:
First and foremost, my sustaining faith in the Lord Jesus.
Second and irreplaceable, my devotion to my wife, Valerie.
Third and endlessly rewarding, our sanctuary for rescue dogs (3 at present)
Fourth and always thrilling, the flow of creative energy that results in a new composition, a play, or a well-written article.
Fifth and life-affirming, the discovery of great art in various forms.
Sixth and always heart-warming, the company of friends.
Seventh and comforting, prayer at the end of the day, sensing God’s presence, followed by the bliss of quiet sleep.
This is who I am. As to what I am focussed on professionally? Do everything to a professional standard. That is what makes everything I try to do exciting and special to me.
Epilogue
In 2016, as the full force of my victory over cancer left me feeling replenished and thankful, Valerie and I met with two of our dearest friends, Tim and Julie, in Monument Valley, Arizona, arguably the most beautiful scenic spot on earth. There, we hired a guide and some horses, then proceeded to experience a 4.5 hour-long ride which inspired awe, gratitude, and humility, along with a constant tingle down my spine. It was, for me, heaven on earth. At one point I called out to my fellow riders that this was the most life-affirming adventure I’d ever experienced, made more resplendent by the recent knowledge of having being literally at Death’s door. At that profound moment, I found the perfect words to express my joy for living.
I’ll never forget that special time. That is living as if life were an artistic experience.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Only three? Well, in the spirit of “leave ‘em wanting more,” here goes: Tibor Feheregyhazi was a dynamo of Canadian theatre. Tibor was a successful professional child actor in his native Hungary before his dramatic escape during the 1958 Revolution. All he’d learned about life and suffering was encompassed in his inspired guidance. I had the privilege of experiencing his teaching genius
just as my ambition to become a classical actor caught fire. “Winnie,” (he always called me Winnie) “You will play all the great parts, but don’t just read plays. Absorb all the great art you can find: poetry, literature, painting, architecture, music, sculpting… Learn about life from the great artists.” It was potent advice I have always tried to follow.
Rudi Shelly was the acting teacher emeritus at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. He knew everything about the art of theatre and was able to make everything accessible to his students because of his brilliant understanding of what he always called “cold-blooded technique” and how it applies to the mechanics of voice, movement, interpretation, music, etc. There wasn’t anything related to theatre he didn’t understand and he conveyed his knowledge with such confidence and assurance it allowed him to conclude almost every class with “but don’t believe a word I say. Go and find out for yourself.” From Rudi I learned Confidence.
Nat Brenner, also at the Bristol Old Vic, taught his students Instinct. Discover what your instincts are, then trust them. Nat could pinpoint special qualities in actors. When we worked on the Medieval morality play THE SUMMONING OF EVERYMAN, he told me I had the perfect voice for the part and needed to perform the role in a professional production. Years later, I produced the play and portrayed Everyman. Nat’s comment had stuck with me. From him I learned Trust Your Instincts.
I have to mention one more because his words hold such value to me. Adrian Cairns, vice-principal of Bristol, had a quietness about him that belied his standing in the profession both as a much sought-after character actor and as a highly respected educator. What’s more, he impressed me as being a real gentleman. At the start of my first term at Bristol I encountered a dilemma that could have resulted in my being asked to leave at Christmas. This was a very real fear but as it involved an issue of morality (for me, at least) I knew I had to stick to my guns. I chose to speak to Adrian about it. The issue was soon resolved and all was well. Two years later at the end of my final term, Adrian took me aside and said “keep your high principles—but learn to hide them.” It took a long time for me to fully appreciate what he meant, but in hindsight it was probably the best lesson I learned at Bristol. He was referring to Personal Integrity, which can be easily challenged in an “anything goes” profession. I think Adrian also meant Do Not Be Judgmental Towards Others who might not share your own personal standards.
Invaluable. Thank you, Adrian.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
It feels like we’re sort of sneaking this question in the back door, but I’m glad you asked, because, although the answer is brief it has become important and meaningful to me, as my perspective of my parents has changed quite a bit since they’ve been gone and my understanding of certain things has changed along with their passing.
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was to provide quiet support and affirmation when I was too blind to see it. When I was at theatre school in England, both my parents wrote me letters. Infrequent though they were, what was between the lines (I realize now) was incredibly revealing. If only I’d looked harder back then! My parents simply loved me, not in the way I perhaps would have liked, but unreservedly and with incredible pride in my accomplishments, which is something I don’t think I appreciated back then. When I think about our quietly complex relationship, I am very deeply moved. Any regrets I may harbour in life are invariably knitted into the fabric of our all-too-short earthly time together.
I wrote a short story that addresses some of these issues, called MEETING DUKE.
I’m looking for a publisher…
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
