Who is Nat Jobe?
Nat Jobe is a father, a son, a partner, a friend… and a Donkey. Hee haw! I live on Sydney’s Northern Beaches with my partner, Richard, my daughter, Taj, and her mother, Leia. I’m a real family man… my family and friends mean the world to me. I’m also an actor. I trained in Music Theatre at WAAPA, graduating in 2008, and have worked in the industry as an actor ever since. I love my work and I’m incredibly passionate about the arts!
What would you do differently from what you do now?
I don’t think there’s a whole lot I’d change about my life, if anything. I try to take the view that you should always be grateful for all the things life throws at you, good and bad. Because of this ridiculous hippie-dippie philosophy, I don’t spend much time regretting or wishing to change the past. I like to feel proud and excited for where the journey has taken me. That all sounds super lame, but I find it to be a nice way to stroll through life. But if there was one thing I would change about my past, it would be having a greater sense of self-confidence from a younger age. I now realise that I am always enough… I just wish younger Nat Jobe knew that too. That’s a school of thought I try to encourage in the younger generations, particularly in my daughter.
Who inspires you and why?
Ooo… I am full of the lame answers today. I’m going to have to go with my partner, Richard Cilli, and my parents. Richard is a Helpmann Award winning contemporary dancer and one of the most incredible artists I know. His art inspires me daily. But he is also the kindest human, who has the ability to make every person he meets feel so special. And then there’s my parents, who raised myself and my four siblings in the most loving, caring environment. They set up the strongest foundation for us, which has meant that we’ve all felt brave enough to go after the lives we wanted to live. They’re incredible people and have always been my biggest inspiration.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
One thing I do daily is to try to be kind to every person I meet in life. I think handing out smiles is a way to keep the world a bit brighter. I’ll always have a joke with the barista at the coffee shop or the attendant at the Maccas drive-thru window. I think that humour, joy and kindness are hugely important and can have such a positive impact on the world!
Sidenote: If there was one other thing I could do to make a difference, it would be to give each workplace, in the whole world, their own trampoline room. Trampolines are the best. Major joy-bringers!!!!
Favourite holiday destination and why?
I dream of going to Malta!!! I’m big on the outdoors and beaches and Malta’s beaches look incredible!!! I know I shouldn’t say it’s my favourite holiday destination because I haven’t even been there before but, hey, I’m calling it anyway.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
I’d park the car at Kirribilli, walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge (quick stop at the Pylon Lookout on the bridge), walk down through The Rocks (history lesson), around Circular Quay, to the Opera House and into The Royal Botanic Gardens. That’s the perfect Sydney ‘tourist’ day out.
What are you currently reading?
I’ve just started reading The Magic by Rhonda Byrne. Lucy Durack bought it for me and it’s part of The Secret book series (which I haven’t read). I assume that when I finish it, I will know all the magic in the world and will be a sorcerer. How fun!
What are you currently listening to?
The Broadway cast recording of Aida by Elton John and Tim Rice. Theatre nerd. Old-school theatre nerd, I should say.
Happiness is?
Coffee. Turkish delight. And, of course, my family and friends. Also, there is nothing better than sitting on the couch with my partner, my daughter, her Mumma and a big bowl of pop corn and watching a movie… that’s the ultimate bliss!
What does the future hold for you?
I am hoping that the future just holds a whole lot of fun for me. I love the adventures that life throws at us and I’m always ready to embrace them. Whether it be exciting new creative ventures, new holidays, new family experiences or new clothes (I loves me some retail therapy) – there’s always room for bucket loads of fun.
Nat stars as Donkey in the Australian production of Shrek The Musical – currently playing at the Sydney Lyric Theatre until 9 February, before heading to Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre from 16 February and Brisbane’s Lyric Theatre – QPAC from 9 May 2020. For more information, visit: www.shrekthemusical.com.au for details.
Image: Nat Jobe (supplied)