Olivia Ruth Will Play Mary Poppins This Spring, and Has Had Many Memorable Roles at WHS
by Rachel Wilson
Harking from her role as the Old Green Grasshopper, senior Olivia Ruth will definitely be a student to keep an eye on after her high school career is over as she takes the stage this year as none other than Mary Poppins.
Ruth has made a great impact on the school, mostly through the stage. “I’ve done every main stage musical and play, and I was involved in three Shakespeare plays. It’s something I’m very passionate about and love being involved in,” explained Ruth. Some of her most notable roles have been the Old Green Grasshopper from James and the Giant Peach, Renfield from Dracula, and of course her upcoming role of Mary in the spring production of Mary Poppins. “The Grasshopper and Renfield were both roles that really had helped me grow as an actor,” said Ruth. “The Grasshopper because it was my first large role and took me way out of my comfort zone. Renfield was a character I had to work really hard on because he was literally insane. It was fun to scare people and see their reactions. The accent was fun to learn and work with too. Mary is really memorable as well even though the show isn’t for another few months. It is so different being the center of attention at all times within a show.”
Ruth’s theatre success has graced more than just the Walkersville stage. At this year’s Maryland State Thespian Festival, Ruth was named one of two outstanding actors within Walkersville’s one-act Know Your Role, as well as participated in a local production of Grease last summer as Patty Simcox. “It was so much fun to play an annoying, bratty character like Patty,” said Ruth. “Being my first summer show, it was great to be in it with a lot of my friends. My dance partner happened to be my best friend Cody Strange, and a lot of my other close friends like Megan McGee, Hanna McWilliams, and my boyfriend Scott Hart were involved in the show as well. It was a really great cast to be able to spend my summer with, and I can’t wait to do more shows like this.”
Although theatre is a big part of Ruth’s life, it is not the only thing that takes up her time. You may have also been able to see Olivia in your Film Studies or American Sign Language (ASL) classes. “These classes have been by far my favorite of my high school career,” explained Ruth. “It was so interesting to be able to analyze film and dig deeper than just what you get when going to the movies. Then, ASL is such a unique class, because I’m learning about the culture of deaf people. I love being able to communicate without actually speaking.”
On top of her extracurricular and school work, Ruth has also been involved with the Frederick Children’s Choir for the past ten years. “I’ve attended many of the summer camps that they host and in high school, I have been a counselor for the younger kids and a pianist this past summer,” said Ruth. This year, Ruth serves as a conducting intern. “I work on songs with the younger kids and conduct one song in a concert. It has really expanded my music theory and helped with leadership skills. The opportunity has made me seriously consider music education as a career path.”
When asked about her plans for the future, Ruth has a plan but still leaves space for the unknown. “I will hopefully be attending Eastern University in St. David’s, PA in the fall,’’ explains Ruth. “I haven’t decided on a major yet, but I’m looking into music education, maybe with a minor in theatre. I really like a lot of different subjects and I’m not sure what would be a realistic major that I’d enjoy, so I’m going in undecided so I can take my required classes and figure out what I like to do.”
It is clear that Olivia Ruth has done a lot with her time at WHS. Her success and drive will be sure to take her far with wherever she is headed in her life.
