Many of us enjoy taking on challenges and testing our
limits. For one Montgomery Catholic elementary student, that challenge will be
leading the Wetumpka Depot Players in a full production this December.
“I like a challenge,” said Olivia Harbin, a fifth grader at
the Montgomery Catholic St. Bede campus. “I like to push myself to do things
that scare me a little.”
Olivia will be playing young Laura Ingalls, the child who would
eventually become Laura Ingalls Wilder, the author of the autobiographical Little
House on the Prairie book series. The Wetumpka Depot Players, a community
theater group that performs in their very own theater in downtown Wetumpka, is
putting on A Little House Christmas, a heartwarming holiday story set on
the prairie. In this adaptation of a Laura Ingalls Wilder story, the Ingalls
family has invited friends and family to their house for Christmas. Not
everything goes according to plan and the adults and children must come up with
creative ways to make Christmas special for each other.
Olivia was inspired to audition because of her family’s love
of the Little House on the Prairie books and television series. When she
found out that the Wetumpka Depot Players was putting on a Little House
production, she immediately asked her mother if she could try out. Having taken
part in many school plays, Olivia discovered that she loved being on the stage
and wanted an opportunity to perform in a bigger venue.
“I’ve always wanted to be in a big production,” said Olivia.
“I love acting so much.”
The rehearsal schedule has been demanding, especially for a young
student. Starting in early September, Olivia has rehearsed with the Wetumpka
Depot Players four days a week. She has had to balance school, homework, choir
practice and performances, church, and family events with play practice. Olivia
admits that keeping her grades up has been tough, but so far, she has kept up
with all of her schoolwork.
Olivia’s performance schedule will be just as demanding. In
her first three days of performances alone, she will perform three times each
day. Tickets for A Little House Christmas have sold out so quickly that
the Wetumpka Depot Players have had to add an additional matinee to the
schedule. When the season is over, Olivia and the rest of the cast will have
performed twelve times in front of a full house. While being in front of such a
big audience can be intimidating, Olivia said that she is ready.
“I’m really nervous,” she said. She then added with a smile,
“but I can’t wait to get started!”
