Judy Conlin
Olga Connolly has lived in Gadsden County for over thirty years. She is married to Thomas Connolly, a carpenter by trade, who has built several sound sets for the theater over the years. They have 1 daughter, Helena Connolly, 1 three year old granddaughter, Everleigh, 3 cats, and 1 dog.
Olga completed her PH.D in Commonwealth Literature at FSU in 1995, and began teaching, writing, and editing for the next 2 decades. Her love of the theater began when she began writing the theater column for the Florida Flambeau. Not only did her love of theater begin when writing by flashlight in the back of the ayditorium.at theaters, but a real love story began there. Many of her first dates with her husband took place backstage . A young couple on a budget found these theater dates perfect for them.
Olga served as president of the QMT Board from 2017-2019. After Covid, she returned in 2022, as Box Office Manager. She began transitioning to Executive Director in 2023.
Lucille Graham, a forever friend of Olgas says: “Olga is a little sunny woman, but she is fierce. When she cares about something, she cares all the way. She is smart and doesn’t think about just today, but also always about the future. She is very malleable-always making friends and influencing people. She doesn’t rush into things. She thinks them through before putting them into action. Nothing is too menial for her to tackle. She also has a wicked sense of humor.”
“My mom is a strong, hardworking, and kind woman. She has supported me and those I care about through all our hopes and dreams. She cares deeply about education, community and access to the arts. I have seen firsthand how quickly she jumps into action to fill the needs in our community; from teaching GED students, to fighting for our local library , to helping with Vacation Bible school. She truly cares for the people around her and has always taught me to do the same,” Helena Conolly added.
QUESTION: Why was QMT the theater that captured your imagination?”
ANSWER: I think because it was in my hometown, and there was something about the history of the building that drew me in. I saw so many possibilities. Also, I was very shy, and I thought the theater would be a spark to ensure my daughter Helena wouldn’t be as shy as me.
QUESTION: How did you start out at QMT?
ANSWER: I started as just a volunteer mom, sitting watching my daughter. I soon became bored and asked if I could help. I found there are endless things volunteers can do. The main 2 I helped with were prop master and costuming. This came naturally to me as my husband, and I have done tons of volunteering in the community.
QUESTION: Tell us a little about the many duties you now have as executive director.
ANSWER: The list is endless and difficult with no staff. It involves a lot of coordinating with entities like the media, the box office, the donors, the Rotary Club, and community outreaches. We coordinated with the first Youth Resource Fair, and the annual Ghost Tour and plan to do it again this year.
QUESTION: How do you think your education and those first 16 years prepared you for the awesome duties you now have?
ANSWER: College education is always good , not necessarily specific to my present job, but great for helping me teach. It also covered many genres, so I learned a lot about theater. My many jobs behind the scenes also helped me. I was already familiar with the rhythm of the building, the people, the summer camp program, how the box office works, and the role of the Board. My husband making sets also taught me a lot.
QUESTION: Have you ever wanted to just go out on that stage and sing and dance your heart away?
ANSWER: Yes. I joined the TCC Dance Company. I was 58 at the time and we trained 8 hours a day. I was dancing with much younger dancers and almost killed myself. Even so, I’m proud that I did it. My other experience was as a fish stick in Seussical the Musical
QUESTION: It takes a big heart to rescue animals during Covid. How did that come about?
ANSWER: Four cats were left when their owner died during Covid. We were asked to take one although we already had 2. We agreed and picked him up in a crate. My husband peeked in at him and that cat was ferocious, hissing and spitting at him. Once home, he disappeared. We left food and water for him, and it would be gone in the morning. but we never saw that cat we called Mikey. There would be sightings from time to time behind the washing machine or slithering around under a blanket and then disappearing but for a long time we never saw this disappearing cat .Eventually, he became visible and turned out to be a very sweet cat. A Pitbull we named Annikin was dropped off in our driveway. I tried desperately to find him a home as I was determined we had our limit of animals. He had big sad eyes . With no response to our postings, he became ours, was named Annikin and turned out to be very sweet also.
QUESTION: What do you hope for the future of the Arts and for QMT?
ANSWER: I just want people to understand how important arts are to a community. They provide far more than an economic benefit. Musical theater includes music, dance, acting, and creativity. All the pieces make one mammoth whole. It is art with a purpose. If one watches it, it
is a moment in time. No matter how many times it is performed it is never the same. The arts enrich our lives,
QUESTION: Anything you’d like to add?
ANSWER: Just that we’re trying to show our appreciation to Gadsden County by half-price tickets for residents of the county on opening night of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels May 9. Details can be found on our website. www.quincymusictheatre.com.
