Debuting Artist: Christina Marie Olson

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Christina is taking the stage for the very first time with OpenStage this season!

 

Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got into theatre?

I was the little girl in preschool on career day who wanted to be an actress. I was probably performing and singing as soon as I could walk! I think what really drew me in from a young age was how magical theatre can be. I always wanted to be a part of creating that magic. I love the collaboration, exploration, and dedication it takes to create a show.

How did you first hear about OpenStage, and what drew you to work with us for this show?

I had heard of OpenStage around town and finally decided this year to take the leap and get involved! I moved here about 5 years ago and I think I finally felt like I was in a place in my life that I was comfortable and confident again, and I was ready to get back to my first love, theatre!

Pride and Prejudice is your acting debut with OpenStage, but you worked with us for The 39 Steps. What was that experience like? Have you ever been a stagehand/dresser before?

The 39 Steps was SO fun! I was dying laughing every night. The actors and crew were so wonderful and welcoming. I was so nervous coming in as a newbie – but they made me feel right at home. I mostly have spent my time onstage so to get to be behind the scenes was super fun. It’s a completely different challenge!

Who was your favorite character in The 39 Steps? Why them?

I loved the McGarrigles – I thought Heather and David did a fantastic job bringing those two to life. The comedic bits and quick changes were hilarious!

What was your favorite scene in The 39 Steps?

The train scene!

What is your role in Pride and Prejudice, and what excited you most about working on this particular production?

I’ll be playing Lizzy Bennet! It’s so great to bring to life one of literature’s best female characters. Lizzy is true to herself and doesn’t want to abide by the status quo. I think her character is truly timeless and still very relevant.

What has been the most enjoyable or unexpected part of the rehearsal process so far?

We have been doing such great character work. Heather has been guiding us through exploring our characters using the Chekhov technique. The psycho-physical approach really allows us to explore all aspects of our characters and unlock facets we may not have seen before.

What has been the most challenging part of bringing this character to life?

I think the most challenging part is making our version of these characters unique and completely separate from other iterations like the movie or the short series. We are really making this our own, and it’s going to be so special!

What makes pride and prejudice a unique kind of play to work on?

I love that this adaptation is so different – it’s funny, surprising, and anachronistic. I also love that this version is so approachable and will resonate with a wide audience.

Why do you think pride and prejudice is significant or relevant to audiences today?

I think the themes that Austen explored such as human emotion, social commentary, our faults and flaws are timeless. I think there is something in each character that is relatable and we can see a bit of ourselves in them.

What is your favorite moment or scene in the show, and why does it stand out to you?

Let’s just say, the music and dancing is going to be ON POINT – you’ll just have to see for yourself!

If you could swap roles with any other character in this play for a day, who would it be and why?

I think it would be fun to be Lydia for a day, chasing red coats and having too much punch at all the parties!

What is your favorite MUSICAL?
Wicked, through and through. I’ve seen the production too many times and I always sob. When I was younger, I always dreamed of being Elphaba one day.
What is your favorite role you’ve played in the past?
My favorite role has been Diana in Lend Me A Tenor. This was probably one of the funniest shows I have ever worked on. The farcical comedy was SO satisfying and challenging. I think it holds a special place in my heart being one of my last shows at Wesleyan.
What upcoming projects or roles are you excited about?

I am up for anything and everything – I don’t have anything lined up yet, but I look forward to whatever comes next!

What do you like to do in your free time, when you’re not working on theatre projects?

I’ve always been artsy, I love to draw, paint, sing, and make crafts. I’m currently into hand knitting and I want to get into jewelry making, too. I’m also a big gamer and reader!

 

 

Pride and Prejudice

By Kate Hamill
Adapted from the novel by Jane Austen

Directed by Heather Ostberg Johnson

June 7-July 12, 2025
Playing at The Park at Columbine Health Systems

 

Come see Christina take the stage in Pride and Prejudice, June 7-July 12!

This isn’t your great-auntie’s Austen! Bold, surprising, and boisterous! The outspoken Lizzy Bennet is determined to never marry, but can she resist her enterprising mother, and society itself? Especially when that vaguely handsome, and impossibly aggravating Mr. Darcy keeps popping up at every turn! Literature’s classic romance, Pride and Prejudice, has never felt so theatrical, or so full of life as it does in this effervescent adaptation. Because what turns us into greater fools than the high-stakes game of love? In the park and under the stars! Walk in, bike in, or drive in! Featuring nightly food trucks.

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