Long Island, NY, resident Olivia Hathaway Swanson has worked as a performing artist, playing some of Walt Disney’s most loved characters in parades and shows. In addition to being a performer, Olivia Hathaway Swanson of Long Island, NY, is also a choreographer and drama teacher.
The College Light Opera Company (CLOC) hired Ms. Swanson in 2023 to choreograph the company’s productions. The youngest person to hold this role at the CLOC, she works with actors and often serves as an assistant director. In addition, she works with nine different directors and coordinates with creative teams to ensure shows run smoothly.
Her job involves incorporating a diverse range of dance styles and being familiar with a broad range of dance history. She is responsible for choreographing routines for nine shows, including three golden age and three contemporary musicals. Ms. Swanson’s choreographic productions are part of shows that CLOC hosts at the Juneteenth Celebration, the Independence Day Concert, the Arts Alive Festival, and other events.
In 2024, Ms. Swanson was hired by Drama Kids to serve as a drama teacher. Her job involves teaching children drama and performance techniques in a way that fosters creativity and confidence. She also must create lesson plans and coordinate activities to encourage student growth in theater.