Victoria Mantynen has skills in music performance, dancing and circus training, but it’s juggling all that with running her own production company that proves the most inspiring part of her story. Mantynen talks performing arts and its place in the world with Jack O’Shea-Ayres.
For former Hume local Victoria Mantynen, there has never been a time when the performing arts weren’t part of her life.
“I couldn’t even tell you a time where I wasn’t involved in music, arts and creativity,” Mantynen said.
“It was always encouraged, always there.”
Today, Mantynen, 33, is a full-time performer, musician and creative director, balancing acting, singing, dance and even circus work with running her own production company, Little Pine Tree Productions, the name a nod to her Finnish heritage.
Her surname “Mantynen” translates to “little pine tree” and the company has quickly established itself as a platform for bold original works which combine music, storytelling and theatrical flair.
But for Mantynen, creating her own company wasn’t just a passion project. It was a necessity.
“In this industry, if you’re waiting around for someone to give you an opportunity, you’ll be waiting a long time,” she explained
“At a certain point, you just have to make your own work. I was finally at a stage where I had the skills, the confidence and the community around me to produce high-quality work myself.”
Mantynen’s artistic roots run deep in Melbourne’s north. She grew up in the Hume region, moving through suburbs like Tullamarine, Greenvale, Craigieburn and Roxburgh Park as she delved deeper into her creative endeavours.
“Most of my childhood memories are tied to those areas,” she reflected.
“It’s changed a lot since I grew up, but that sense of connection is still there. Hume was the backdrop for my first steps into performance and creativity.”
Mantynen’s family was central to nurturing her love for the arts.
“Everyone in my family has always been musical or artistic in some way,” she said.
“My family really exposed me to the arts, plus the fact that they really valued and encouraged it was a huge influence.”
Education played a major role too. Mantynen attended schools which placed strong emphasis on the arts, providing access to music, theatre and creative opportunities many students only dream of, later sharpening her skills with a Bachelor in Musical Theatre.
Unlike many who find themselves stumbling into the artistic and creative realm, Mantynen has never considered an alternative career path. For Mantynen, it’s all about the music, dancing and acting, and using the skills she’s honed over the years to give back to her community.
“There was never a time I thought it was normal to not sing or perform,” she said.
“It wasn’t even a choice, it was part of who I was. Once you’ve got the bug, there’s nothing you can do about it.”
Her philosophy is one of openness: never close doors, say yes to almost every opportunity you can and keep learning every day, advice she credits to an early mentor who warned her not to narrow her career options.
“If you only ever want to do Shakespeare and turn down everything else, you might end up with no career at all,” she mused.
“That stuck with me. I’ve always tried to stay adaptable and build a wide skill set.“
Which is exactly what Mantynen has done over her years as a stage performer. Not only does she write and produce her own original works, but she goes the extra mile in all her acting, music performances as well as working with other musicians, circus and dance performances and even gazelle and burlesque shows.
It’s an approach which has paid off. Mantynen has worked across stage productions, musical theatre, circus and festivals, developing a reputation as a versatile and dependable performer.
Highlights include appearing in Melbourne Shakespeare Company’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and ‘Tempest’, playing Princess Aurora in ‘Sleeping Beauty’ and even as multiple characters in ‘The Living Museum of Erotic Women’, to name just a few of Mantynen’s long list of accomplishments.
“The more you can do, the more opportunities open up. People are looking for performers who can sing, act, move, and bring something extra. That breadth of skills is what makes it possible to work full-time in this industry,“ she said.
It goes without saying running a production company is no small feat, especially when coupled with being constantly cast in work all over the place and taking every opportunity life throws at you.
Mantynen writes the shows, manages the musicians, designs posters, handles ticketing and liaises with venues.
“I do everything,” she laughed.
“It’s exhausting but rewarding. You just do it because if you don’t, no one else will.”
She acknowledges the challenges of sustaining a career in the arts – especially in the wake of a tough period felt throughout the industry during and following the Covid-19 pandemic.
“A lot of people older than me say this is the hardest time they’ve ever seen in terms of scarcity of work. Venues are closing, funding is tight. But at the same time, I don’t know anything different. I came into the industry when it was already hard, so I expected it to be that way,” she said.
For her, the answer lies in resilience, adaptability and community.
“Support is crucial, whether it’s councils, governments, or just people showing up and buying tickets. The artists thrive when people invest in them. Without that, it’s difficult. But artists are resourceful, we make it work.”
When asked about her inspirations, Mantynen resists narrowing it down to one figure.
“It’s never been about one person I wanted to copy. Inspiration comes from so many places – family, colleagues, teachers, other musicians. Even people who don’t get public recognition can have an enormous influence on your path.”
At her core, Mantynen sees herself as a singer.
“That’s my first identity, but singing is always tied to storytelling,” she says.
“I don’t sing just for the sake of it. There has to be a reason, a journey, a connection.”
Mantynen’s training in musical theatre shines through in her performances, which are often described as equal parts music and narrative.
Dance and movement also play a major role, though sometimes by happy accident.
“People often mistake me for a dancer,” she laughed.
“It’s not my main skill, but it’s something I’ve picked up along the way.”
Even circus performance has become part of her repertoire. A chance encounter with another performer introduced her to aerial work, which she went on to study.
“That’s how it happens. Someone sees you perform and says ‘You’d be great at this,’ you give it a try, and suddenly you’ve added another string to your bow.”
For Mantynen, the future is filled with possibilities. With Little Pine Tree Productions, she hopes to continue building original shows which showcase both her talents and those of her collaborators. The company’s work, she said, is about more than entertainment – it’s about creating community and connection.
“You never know where the world will take you. But that’s part of the appeal. Every project opens doors you didn’t expect. That’s why I keep creating my own work. It gives me control, and it gives me freedom.”
As for advice for aspiring performers, Mantynen doesn’t hesitate.
“Say yes. Stay curious. Keep learning. Never think you’re everything. And most importantly, don’t close doors. You never know which one might lead to your next stage.”
From her childhood in Hume to stages across Melbourne and beyond, Victoria Mantynen’s journey is proof of what can happen when passion, persistence and creativity collide. For her, the arts aren’t just a career – they’re a way of life.
