Olivia Neal

Searching for the SPOTLIGHT

Senior Olivia Neal’s journey through theater has evolved into both her passion and future.

BY RACHEL DOCTOR REPORTER

Olivia Neal sulked into her first rehearsal for her grade school production of “The Nutcracker.” Yet nine years later, she walks with confidence and passion into her auditions for university acting programs.

Neal’s start in theatre began as what she describes as a “Mother knows Best” situation when she was pushed to try out, which was just the beginning of what has evolved into a large aspect of her life today. Although she was reluctant, the thought of having stage fright never crossed her mind.

“An acting teacher once told me acting is reacting. It’s real life and it’s beautiful and to capture the authentic moments of life as we know it, is really honoring and humbling,” Neal said.

After her role in The Nutcracker, Neal was involved in both Christian Youth Theatre and theatre classes. Since then, she has participated in 12 productions, her favorite being Sion’s production of “Hairspray” in 2014. She played the role of Velma Von Tussle.

“I really felt the role was dynamic,” Neal said. ”I always thought I could play the mean role, but [Hairspray] allowed me the chance to play the somewhat vicious role, and it was the first Sion show I really loved.”

A part of a close-knit cast of six girls, Neal participated in the student production, “Steel Magnolias,” March 4. She played the role of M’lynn, the mother of a diabetic, Shelby. The production was Neal’s final Sion production.

“Olivia was born to be an actress. She embodies characters all the time and puts the emotions she acts into how she lives her everyday life,” junior Clare Carey said.

But her future in theatre won’t just stop after high school. Neal plans to continue her career with a major in acting. She has already auditioned for several school’s programs including NewYork University, Boston University, Emerson College and Southern Methodist University and will hear back in April about potential admissions.

“I don’t really care about the fame, I just want to be a successful actor and be able to have a steady job doing it and being good at what I do,” Neal said.

Capturing the authentic moments in life is what Neal has aspired to do with her actions on stage. She is able to find herself when recognizing the similarity in what is apparently different.

“Acting is so humbling in that way it’s not about you,” Neal said. “It’s about the story and how you touch people with that story.”

Neal hopes to be a part of a wide variety of aspects in the industry. While she wants to begin onstage in Boston or New York, further down the road in her career she hopes to make the connections to potentially become involved in the film side of the industry.

“After her “Hairspray” audition, I was just blown away with her potential. She has always given very strong auditions and is very well prepared,” music teacher Elizabeth Mulkey said.

Neal uses her theatre and performances as an escape from her everyday life. But she also hopes that her performances can provide an escape for others. “I kind of get the chance to forget whatever else I have going on when I’m onstage, I get so wrapped up in the moment,” Neal said. “It just really makes me happy to get to be there”.

She has learned throughout her acting experiences that finding humor in daily life is important in not only acting, but in real life as well. Acting ultimately affected her life by not only shaping her disposition, but by creating joy in those around her.

“We cry at weddings and laugh at funerals sometimes so I have to remind myself not to take the acting process so seriously,” Neal said. “You have to find the humor in every character you play. That’s where life stems.”

Senior Olivia Neal points towards the crowd during her role as Muzzy Van Hossmere in “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” (Photo by Sophie Nedelco)