Veteran PYT Performer Takes Her Final Bow in “The Pirates of Penzance”

Recently Spotlight was able to talk to long-time PYT-er Olivia Cobb about her feelings approaching her final performance in PYT’s “The Pirates of Penzance”.

If you have not met her yet, Olivia is 18 years old and besides performing, she enjoys working backstage, art, baking, and teaching theater.

She hasn’t done a musical with PYT in a while since she’s been doing lots of Stories on Stage, so it’s really fun to see her back in a bigger than SOS cast and in musical numbers as a featured dancer.  Olivia said, “I am of course sad to be doing my last show but it has been a great rehearsal process and I’m having a lot of fun.”

Asked how many shows she’s done with PYT, Olivia said proudly, “Pirates is my 19th musical with PYT and I’ve been in 10 Stories on Stage showa, in addition to working tech for many other shows! My first show was Charlotte’s Web when I was 7 and I played a baby spider and photographer.”

A funny story Olivia remembers is the day before dress rehearsal for Oliver! She broke her arm during PE and was super upset and thought she would have to pull out of the show. However, she ended up doing the show and the cast on her arm actually made her performance as a pickpocket extra convincing.

Olivia mentioned over the last few years she’s gotten involved in stage management and teaching for PYT. Stage managing has been really interesting because she gets to see how things work in theater that she hadn’t thought about before. “It’s really rewarding to call cues during a show and see everything fall into place as it is supposed to”, says Olivia.  She also teaches for PYT, going to an elementary school during the school year and doing camps over the summer. She loves watching kids learn about acting and getting them excited to perform. “I don’t think I can choose my favorite way I’ve been involved with PYT, but I think the best thing I’ve gotten out of it has been friendships and personal growth”. Olivia also says, “it’s the people at PYT, both kids and adults who have had an extremely positive influence on her life”.

Spotlight asked one of the people who knows her best, PYT’s Education Director Meg Fischer Venuti what it’s been like working with Olivia and seeing her grow-up over the years at PYT.  Meg remarked, “Olivia has been a wonderfully valuable member of the PYT community for the past decade and we will miss her terribly!  It’s always such a treat to work with her, whether onstage or at the tech table.”

“She is also an extremely accomplished teacher and has been helping to pass on the love of theatre to a new generation of PYT kids for years.  Olivia brings her excellent attitude, proactive support, and wry sense of humor to every project she participates in and I can’t wait to see what she accomplishes in college and beyond!”

We can’t wait to see what she does after PYT either! Olivia, we here at PYT wish you all the best as you take your final bow. So, come see Olivia and the rest of her cast in “The Pirates of Penzance”! Olivia says, “it has a little of everything!  Beautiful music, big dance numbers, and lots of comedy!”

Olivia is in the “Sullivan Cast” which performs May 11 @ 7:30 pm, May 12 @ 1:00 pm, Thursday May 16 @ 9:30 am and Saturday May 18 @ 2:00 pm in the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. The “Gilbert Cast” performs May 11 @ 2:00 pm, May 17 @at 9:30 am, May 18 @ 7:30 pm and May 19 @ 1:00 pm.

Tickets available now!