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Acting, performance an O’Neill family tradition

By Kristen Hainkel 3 min read

Marietta High School senior Maeghan O'Neill loves performing, whether it's singing in a choir or entertaining audiences on a theater stage.

"I've been acting since I was 3," she said. "I've been in 90 plays in my life."

O'Neill comes from a long line of actors. Her parents met while performing on the Becky Thatcher showboat, and her aunt and uncle met performing in the Mid-Ohio Valley Players.

Her grandfather, Fred O'Neill, was another positive influence in her acting pursuits. He passed away in 2017.

"(He) was the most dramatic person I've ever met," she said. "I think he would be proud that I continued to act."

Sticking with that family tradition, O'Neill has participated in multiple productions with the Players, the Actors Guild of Parkersburg and Marietta High School. She said she averages participating in four shows per year. Her most recent production was "Matilda The Musical," playing the principal Miss Trunchbull.

In summer 2022, O'Neill attended summer camp at Interlochen Center of the Arts in Interlochen, Mich. She majored in Improv and Shakespeare.

"It's one of the elite theater schools in the country," O'Neill said, "I got to play Beatrice in 'Much Ado About Nothing.' I loved the experience."

It turned out that experience connected her to a famous singer.

"I went to New York City for spring break and saw 'Sweeny Todd.' I met Josh Groban backstage. He also went to Interlochen. We talked about that, which is awesome," she said.

O'Neill splits her school schedule between MHS and the Washington County Career Center. She said she chose to attend there because it featured subjects she was interested in.

"They have subjects I'm excited to learn about: video editing, graphic design and animation," she said.

She also said student morale is high at the school since each student chose to attend there and specialize in their chosen subject. She believes this will benefit her and her fellow students.

"The kids who come here took a mature step to further their education," she said. "The teachers and staff treat us like adults because we're making choices to further our careers."

O'Neill said one of her teachers recently asked their class how many had employment lined up for the future. Every student except one raised their hand. O'Neill said encouragement from teachers and staff inspires students to pursue jobs.

She said her involvement in music and theater has taught her valuable life lessons.

"I've been involved in competitive fields," she said., "It's taught me to take my losses in stride. You're not always going to be number one. There's a theater phrase that says 'There are no small parts, only small actors.' You can take the place you've been put in and make the most of it."

After graduation, O'Neill plans to finish an Associate's Degree through Washington State Community College and her internship at radio station WMOA. Long term, she is interested in attending the School of Visual Arts in New York City.

"I'm excited to go on and do new things," she said. "New York City excites me because of the community of theater and arts there."

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