About Olivia

Olivia developed a love of performing at an early age, undertaking many creative studies including piano, trumpet, drama and singing. She completed her singing exams with Trinity Guildhall at age 17 and at just 18 years of age completed her Diploma of World Theatre and Diploma in Musical Theatre with IMEB. Olivia graduated from Griffith University Queensland Conservatorium in 2017 with a Bachelor of Musical Theatre. 

Olivia is a seasoned performer having portrayed "Nancy" in Oliver!, "Babette" in Beauty and the Beast, "Sarah Brown" in Guys and Dolls, "Angelina" in Trial By Jury, "Dorothy" in The Wizard of Oz, "Christine" in Phantom of the Opera, "Jo March" in Little Women the Musical, "Betty" in Sure Thing, "Carmen" in The Life, "Ursula" in Sweet Charity and "Margarita" in West Side Story. She has a CAT (Canberra Area Theatre Award) for Best Supporting Actress, was nominated a further 3 times and was also the recipient of the Mary Porter Scholarship. She was featured vocalist in "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change", "Sweet and Sour: A Cabaret", "CONfused: A Cabaret", The Lord Mayors City Hall Concert in Brisbane, "Thank You For The Music: An ABBA Tribute" and has performed with the Queensland Pops Orchestra. 

In 2018 Olivia originated the role of "Raelene" in S*** Storm, a new Australian play at Anywhere Festival. Here she discovered her passion for creating and championing new Australian works and fostering new artists. 

Olivia has directed, musical directed and co-choreographed performances of Into the Woods: JR, Aladdin: JR. and Shrek the Musical: JR

In 2021 she formed her own production company, Olivia Ruggiero Productions, that produced her one-woman show "Puppets", which toured Sydney, Melbourne and Edinburgh. "Puppets" was awarded Best New Musical by BroadwayWorld: Sydney and Olivia was awarded Broadway World Sydney's award for Best Performer. She co-produced her second one woman show "Broadway Diva" with Theatre Travels which opened in Adelaide and successfully toured to Sydney, Bathurst, Melbourne, Darwin and Edinburgh in 2023. Broadway Diva is a 5 star internationally touring show, sell out show that was called a "Must See" by Fringe Review.  

Little Women, which premiered at Fairfield School of Arts in 2023, marked her first community theatre production as a producer and director.