The opportunities I had allowed me to work those (creative) muscles, to experiment and play with things. I was exposed to so much at Bridgewater, it really laid down the foundation of my work.
As a theater major at 91Ƭý, he was billed as “Nick Ryan.” Today, the 2012 graduate is building a career in film and television under the name Nick Jordan, and his growing resume includes a recurring role on the hit Disney series Daredevil: Born Again.
“There was another actor who had the same name,” Jordan explained, “So, I took my mother’s maiden name. My grandfather had all girls, so he’s thrilled.”
In Daredevil: Born Again, Jordan plays Nicky Torres, a confidential informant with the New York City Police Department. But before the Marvel Universe came calling, Jordan put in his dues, including homing in on his craft while at BSU.
He worked both on stage and behind the scenes on several student productions.
“The biggest thing I took from Bridgewater was the wealth of time awarded to people who want to work on the stage,” Jordan said. “The opportunities I had allowed me to work those (creative) muscles, to experiment and play with things. I was exposed to so much at Bridgewater, it really laid down the foundation of my work.”
Jordan knew before coming to BSU that he wanted to pursue a career in acting. He discovered his passion at age five, when he was cast in a community play organized by Marshfield’s Green Harbor General Store.
“From what I can remember, it was a crazy play about orphans shipwrecked on an island. There was a Christmas angel, and at one point they wheeled out a big puppet…and I played a little boy. That’s my origin story,” Jordan laughs.
In high school he starred in productions such as Little Shop of Horrors. As he continued to develop a love for the craft, acting revealed additional benefits: it helped him overcome his shyness.
“I was pretty nerdy, I could not talk to girls,” Jordan said.
One play required him to kiss a fellow actor.
“I didn’t have to do anything. All of the fear and effort was taking out of my hands,” Jordan said. “It’s around this time I realized that people did (acting) for a living and thought, maybe I could potentially do this.”
While at BSU, Joel Thayer, who worked in the university’s theater department as a set-designer and director, encouraged Jordan to pivot from stage and musicals into film and television.
“He told me I had a really good look for film and TV, that I was a good actor,” Jordan said. “At first it was a hard pill to swallow because I wanted to do theater. But he was right.”
After graduating from Bridgewater, Jordan moved to New York City. He completed the NY Conservatory for Dramatic Actor’s training program and has since worked steadily, building to his resume.
He’s worked on Law & Order, The Night Nurse, City on a Hill, and played a main character in Hallmark’s Mystic Christmas movie.
“It’s a difficult business and there are a lot of letdowns, you have to have unshakeable confidence in yourself,” Jordan said. “I owe a lot to my parents, especially my mom, who encouraged me at a young age to pursue it.”
For BSU students looking to get into the business, Jordan said don’t discount the things being taught at his alma mater.
“You hear about actors coming from Julliard or Yale, but you don’t have to do that. The best experience you get is doing the work, being on set, being on stage,” he said, adding that Bridgewater State produces many plays and that the opportunities are there.
“Get involved where you are. If you take it seriously, whatever you’re doing, whether it’s a small play or student film, or a big production, you will develop that muscle and work ethic to enable you to do the bigger things,” Jordan said.
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