Current Favorite Song: “Supercut” by Lorde
Favorite Dance Scene: “Too Darn Hot” from the 2019 revival of Kiss Me Kate!
Olivia Stone will be graduating from The Hewitt School in the spring, with plans to attend University of Southern California’s School of Dramatic Arts in the fall. She will be studying theatre and “probably a few other things!” Before she heads to California, she will be packing her summer full of activities such as traveling to Iceland, hanging out with her friends in the Hamptons, and taking acting and directing classes in the city.
Olivia has been a SHUFFLES student for 14 years! During that time she’s performed in a lot of May Shows, but her favorite was 2021’s About Town at Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park. It helped remind her of her “true love for performing,” as well as the amazing “feeling of being back on stage with my friends after two years,” calling it “exhilarating…The energy we all had for that one show was unbeatable!” She also learned the importance of confidence, saying that “The most important ingredient in performing is confidence. You may know all the steps, but if you don’t have confidence, you will not dance to your fullest potential. Now, I am the person who chooses to raise their hand in class, dance in the front row, and speak up for what I believe in.” We are so happy to have helped you with this part of your journey, Olivia!
What she will miss most about SHUFFLES when she leaves for college will be the friends she’s made and the teachers who taught her during her time with us. In her own words, Olivia told us “Although I came to SHUFFLES for dance, the SHUFFLES family is what has made me stay for the past 14 years.” This coincides with her favorite memory, which is being a part of the Broadway Workshop class. She loves the tight-knit community that class has built together, as well as the new dance styles, amazing guest teachers, and, of course, having fun with her friends!
When not at SHUFFLES, Olivia is hanging out with her friends and family. She also loves to cook, bake, and volunteer. One of her favorite places to volunteer is with New York Common Pantry in Harlem, where she has lent her time since 7th grade! She also works with her team and creates social media content for her organization, Confident Healthy Women. Finally, her biggest inspirations are her mother, Alicia, and actress Ashley Park. In regards to Ashley Park, Oliva “hopes to stay as grounded as she is throughout my life and work on meaningful projects similar to hers.”
You did it, Olivia! Thanks for sharing yourself with us for 14 wonderful years!