Derek Olson is a basketball player with a passion for singing, dancing, and theater. Maybe that sounds like the plot of High School Musical. For Olson, however, the multifaceted approach to collegiate education drives him.
Double-majoring in public relations and journalism (with a minor in business for good measure), Olson knows the importance of maintaining a schedule. Between classes, he provides tours to prospective students, works at BU FitRec, shoots with WTBU sports, and works in COM’s Undergraduate Affairs office, all while trying to grab a meal when he can. One thing is clear about Olson: He works. He works a lot.
Despite the busy schedule, Olson still finds time to be the treasurer for BU on Broadway and perform in their productions. He strikes a balance between his aspirations and finding time to rest.
“It’s definitely easy to get overwhelmed, but . . . [you need] self care, like going to the movies, music, just finding solace and other kinds of hobbies, or taking a step back and decompressing before you get back into the swing of things,” Olson says with a collected ease.
Olson sees an intersection between his theatrical endeavors and his academic pursuits.
“It all is performance,” he said. “I did BUTV last semester, and I was in front of the camera. And it’s really just putting on your best show face and performing. And, like, even when you’re behind the mic and people can’t see your face, you’re changing your voice, you’re changing your levels. You’re basically performing to mount up the intensity.”
Olson believes his background in PR and journalism will pay off in the future.
“PR kind of goes into pitching stories toward those sports journalists,” he said. “So when I came to BU, I was kind of looking at the other side of what I’ve always wanted to do. Particularly with PR, I want to go into media relations . . . In my case, what I’d want to do is sit down with a player before they go to a press conference, being like, ‘OK, make sure you talk about this thing. Answer this question this way. Don’t talk about this thing.’”
It all is performance.
Olson serves as the co-dance captain for BU on Broadway’s production of “A Chorus Line,” a musical about dancers auditioning for a show while sharing intimate stories of their burgeoning careers. He plays Larry, who is also the dance captain in the fictitious show.
Originally from Hanson, Massachusetts, Olson grew up with a special interest in hip-hop. However, that style is different from the jazz essentials of the show. “Our director, Maggie, is always like, point your toes down, and I’m honestly, like, yeah, I feel you,” Olson said with a laugh.
Despite his flexed feet, Olson is a necessary element of the dance team. “He brings a role of professionalism… he’s always, I don’t want to be too informal, but locked in,” says Finley Young, the show’s choreographer.
Olson attributes part of his success in dancing to his varied background in sports. The overlap extends beyond learning footwork.
“It all kind of came together… being able to memorize things very quickly, like running a play in basketball, or learning your blocking or your lines, or preparing for a test. It was that one quality that brought all those three things together and helped me really enjoy them,” said Olson.
One reason why you’ll find Olson in the spotlight at BU is stress management. “It is really important [to have] a space of your own that’s away from classes and everything related to that, and just enjoying your own thing, because everyone needs a hobby,” Olson explained. “It’s what helps them get by in the world, this crazy world [where] so much happens… so much happens in your life, but you really do need one thing that you can count on, and for some people, it’s theater.”
Olson describes a feeling experienced by many people who find themselves in multiple positions.
“I felt like I was living two completely different lives, like I had two distinct friend groups,” he said. “I just felt like I had to choose between one or the other. But you really don’t have to, because no person is made up of one thing. Everyone is made up of so many different parts of themselves, and that is something I’ve really taken pride in.”
Sitting in a warmup circle with castmates, Olson shows the pride he takes in his craft and in leadership. He walks to the center with intention and quickly picks up steps to the new routine they are learning that day. Olson did not become a leader overnight. He started from the beginning: by trying.
“Try literally everything,” Olson says. “I went to a quiz bowl meeting the first week at BU and I sat there not knowing a single answer. But I was like, ‘Hey, I came here. I tried this.’ Just really throw yourself into anything you can. This year, I’ve started to go into Liquid Fun, open Sundays, improv, something I never thought I’d do, but you never know what you’re going to enjoy until you try it. So just really try anything you can.”
Olson’s proclivity for new things has led him to personal accomplishments. This summer, he will intern for 98.5-Boston The Sports Hub. His story makes one thing clear: We are all more than the box we may place ourselves in.
BUOB’s performance of “A Chorus Line” is April 9 – 12 at Tsai Performance Center.
Hannah is a media researcher with a passion for diverse stories. She is pursuing her Master of Science in media science and aims to use her background in research and writing to create actionable recommendations for the entertainment industry in the future.
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