With her deluge of staple roles and eager supporting ones in NC’s theater department, magnet senior Mary Washburn, shows how far passion can carry a teenager. Between her burgeoning music career, her theatrical success both in and out of school and her academic prowess, Washburn’s presence sets the stage for inspiration.
The local legend has loved theater since her childhood: when she chose to delve into the spotlight following a stint in sports. Since that early curtain raise, Washburn’s musical talent and acting skills have impressed her parents, friends, relatives and mentors exceptionally. Her work in theater began long before her time at NC and has continued beyond it at local acting powerhouse Firefly Theatrical. Though Washburn has held oodles of roles there, she looks forward to her next spotlight moment as Rosie in “Bye Bye Birdie.”
“My favorite musicals include ‘Ride the Cyclone,’ ‘Once on This Island’ and ‘Dear Evan Hansen.’ Although it’s not my favorite anymore (or anywhere close), ‘Hamilton’ also had a really big impact on me. I was a big fan when the proshot came out on Disney+, which definitely impacted my relationship with theater and Broadway musicals. I don’t know if I’ve really had any specific people influence me, except maybe Ben Platt. Love that guy,” Washburn said.
Within NC, the magnet senior gained her first leading role as the titular character in “Matilda the Musical” as a freshman. Since that time, she has starred and acted in all but two major productions at NC. February, she wrapped up her role as protagonist Lydia Deets in “Beetlejuice.” Still, she wears plenty of hats, donning only one from the auditorium costume closet.
Assuming the name Mysteriosa Music on Instagram, Washburn shares her explorations in singing, electric and acoustic guitar and the selection of other instruments she dabbles in. With a mixture of folk, pop and rock intertwined with her own unique style and passion for musical theater, her music invites listeners into a fresh sound rooted in timeless influences. As she continues to seek inspiration for, cover and write songs, Washburn’s music establishes itself as a feat of brilliance among her young contemporaries’.
“Some of the artists that have had the most impact on me throughout my life have been Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan, Autoheart, Ben Platt, Melanie Martinez (unfortunately) and Ethel Cain. They’ve shaped me through my singing and writing style. I also learned how to play guitar by learning how to play songs mostly by these artists. I think music taste tells a lot about a person,” Washburn said.
Washburn hosts plenty of talents, but ultimately, her goals and passions move beyond her experiences on stage. She aspires to become an American Sign Language (ASL) translator, a skill acquired in part through NC’s ASL pathway. She fell in love with the language at the age of seven through a book series titled “The Code Busters Club.” The magnet senior, though not yet committed, boasts admission to top choices University of North Carolina Greensboro, University of North Florida and Valdosta State University, and she looks forward to hearing back from Rochester Institute of Technology. At one of these schools, or another, she will major in ASL, but Washburn will not forget her passion for music, planning to minor in a related topic.
