about.
Olivia Payson is a driven producer and artist, focusing on sharing smiles and addressing social change with worldwide audiences.
Olivia graduated with distinctions from the University of Oklahoma with a BFA in Musical Theatre, along with a BA in Political Science. Quickly after, she moved to the city, where she earned her MA in Art and Public Policy from the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. She currently works as the Executive Assistant for Wagner Johnson Productions, where she is able to use her background as both a performer and a leader to take on the world of commercial Broadway and off-Broadway producing and general management.
Olivia plans to use her education to produce theatrical work that challenges and inspires audiences, during a time where art is more vital than ever before. In addition to producing innovative and thought provoking new works, Olivia is committed to improving the accessibility and inclusivity of musical theatre companies through policy change, research, and steadfast perseverance. With endless optimism and enthusiasm, Olivia is beyond excited to embrace and give back to the arts community.
media.
my work.
While at the Weitzenhoffer School for Musical Theatre at the University of Oklahoma, Olivia's experience includes roles such as "Sonya" in Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, "Woman #1" In I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, and "Nadine" in The Wild Party. Her other work and training is detailed in her resume above.
During her undergraduate education, Olivia's passion for research ignited. She spent years analyzing the BFA degree, along with the ins and outs of the musical theatre community, to learn how to best improve the lives of artists. Her evidence-based research focusing on the restructuring of the BFA degree can be found above.
With a strong sense of morality and a commitment to social justice, Olivia has also explored the field of politics. Over the past few years, Olivia has involved herself in the Student Government Association, diversity-based student organizations, and an internship on Capitol Hill. Her further experience is listed in her academic resume above.
currently.
Olivia graduated from the University of Oklahoma as of May, 2023, earning her dual degree in Musical Theatre (BFA) and Political Science (BA), with a 4.0 GPA and as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Following graduation, she moved to New York, where she pursued her Master's degree in Art and Public Policy from the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University.
Prior to her graduation at NYU, Olivia began her career with Wagner Johnson Productions. Olivia has now served as the Executive Assistant to the founders of the company, Sue Wagner and John Johnson for over a year. During her time at WJP, Olivia has been involved in projects on and off Broadway, such as George Clooney's Good Night and Good Luck, John Proctor Is the Villain, Swept Away, The Roommate, All In: A Comedy About Love, Andrew Scott's Vanya, The Big Gay Jamboree, Hold Onto Me Darling, and the most Tony nominated play of all time, Stereophonic.
Olivia is eager to continue her own journey within this industry by diving into her own self-producing endeavors, with a focus on projects that are accessible to young audiences and spark dialogue of what the arts could be in a climate actively working against artists and humans globally. For opportunities to connect or inquiries on current projects, please contact Olivia through the link below.
