By Stephanie Irvine
Manhattan’s Olivia O’Sullivan is a typical 12-year-old girl. Unless, of course, you consider her burgeoning acting career — which is anything but ordinary.
At age five, O’Sullivan started playing the guitar and singing around the house. Before long, she was singing in the school talent show, with dreams of being on America’s Got Talent.
“That’s how the whole thing got started,” AnnMarie O’Sullivan, Olivia’s mother, explained. “We went to the vocal coach, Alyssa. It was like, I think she sounds beautiful because I’m her mother, but I have no idea if she has talent.
“The coach said she is talented and needs to get out there,” AnnMarie added, noting that Olivia’s vocal coach, Alyssa Norden, set the wheels in motion for her to succeed. The vocal lessons turned into acting. Then came headshots, auditions, and callbacks.
It seems that O’Sullivan may have surpassed her dreams with reality. Her impressive resume now includes performing for international crowds of thousands of people in big-name productions, including “Les Miserables” and “The Sound of Music.”
“It’s a moment to figure out the character you’re playing and to really be that character for the time you’re on stage. Even if it’s just for two minutes for a tap dance. You can really have fun with who the character is, what they do for a living, what job they have. It’s a fun thing I do with my characters — what was my character just doing while I was off stage?” Olivia explained.
“That’s really the fun thing about performing that I like. I also like just after the show, in general, and everything is done. All of us, cast and crew, we get to hang out. Hang out with the audience. It’s just a great experience in general,” Olivia added.
Despite her success, she’s humble and enjoys performing in all types of venues, as long as she can perform. Manhattan residents may remember Olivia from when she sang the “National Anthem” at the Fishing Derby this past summer. Previously, she performed with the Spotlight Arts Creative at Fall Fest in Frankfort.
She enjoyed traveling on tour and noted an affinity for Arkansas, with plans to potentially attend college there one day. Her dreams are still pretty big — her sights set on achieving stardom. She also enjoys writing her own songs.
“The end game is to be like Taylor Swift,” Olivia said, explaining one day she’d like to have her songs streamed on Spotify.
Her success is an indication she shows no sign of slowing down. Armed with a work permit, Olivia says her job is auditioning. She likens call-backs to winning a soccer game and getting cast akin to winning a championship, but most of all, she just likes performing.
“I’m still trying to figure it out and wrap my head around it. We didn’t see it happening or so quickly. We just really knew what she wanted,” AnnMarie remarked.
Currently, Olivia has been cast as an understudy for a leading role in Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” which is being performed at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire. Bing Crosby famously performed in “White Christmas” in the 1950s.
Though she is an understudy, she will perform as Susan Waverly, the granddaughter of the General, in the play on Thursday evenings, beginning November 19 through the end of the year.
Due to Olivia’s demanding tour schedule, she is no longer in the Manhattan School District, but she acknowledges the major impact the district had on her.
“Manhattan School District was fantastic throughout the whole process. It just got a little tricky once she was on tour. It got a little complicated on our end, so it was best that we did homeschool,” AnnMarie explained before adding, “The talent shows were huge for her.”
Olivia’s hometown performances of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” and her own song, “Hawaiian Girl,” in Wilson Creek Elementary School’s talent shows were poignant moments that made her realize her passion.
“When I was at Wilson Creek, I definitely enjoyed the talent shows. They were really fun. I also liked the choir and Ms. Perkne,” Olivia noted.
AnnMarie recalled a time after Olivia performed in a recital, when Kimberly Maher, the former Wilson Creek Elementary Principal, emailed her and her husband a video clip of Olivia’s performance.
O’Sullivan said that Maher, now the director of HR/Staff Development/Communication with the district, had told her she wouldn’t be surprised if she ended up a performer. Those early predictions appeared to be spot-on.
As for advice for other artists who want to follow a similar path, Olivia is wise beyond her years.
“I would say just be yourself. Don’t let anyone else tell you what you should do and what you shouldn’t do. Also, pursue what you want to do in life. Do what you want to do. Sing what you want sing. Dance what you want to dance. And most of all, just be yourself,” Olivia continued.
Those interested in seeing Olivia O’Sullivan perform can get tickets directly from the Marriott Theatre’s website, www.marriotttheatre.com/show/irving-berlins-white-christmas.
Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.