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 Houseproduction, 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!”
