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Directing

Directing

Next project: A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder at The Theatre Factory in Trafford/Pittsburgh, PA (July 11-13 & 17-19, 2025)

Olivia has directed dozens of plays and musicals in schools, universities, community settings, and on off- and off-off-Broadway stages, including three world-premiere productions in the New York International Fringe Festival. Since 2012, she has served as the founding artistic director of BIG Theatre Company, where she runs a creative collaboration lab for the ongoing development of original work and the artists who make it. She also serves as associate artistic director and board member at The Theatre Factory.

Olivia’s artistic interests are in devised work, physical and comedic theatre, onstage intimacy, improvisational processes and performances, anti-oppression work, radical collaboration, and inclusive creativity. Olivia’s artistic training includes intimacy choreography with Theatrical Intimacy Education; certificate in Teaching Clown from The Clown School; forum play Jokering with Theatre of the Oppressed NYC; anti-oppressive facilitation with the Anti-Oppression Resource & Training Alliance; and training in the New York Neo-Futurists’ signature non-illusory approach.

Applause

IF/THEN
"If/Then poses unique challenges to both a professional production and an above-average community theater production… Under the direction of Olivia Hartle, Riverfront Theater Company tackles an intricate story with a Sondheim-esque libretto like true professionals."
         — ONSTAGEPITTSBURGH

“As ambitious as it is marvelous!”
         — BURGH VIVANT

GRIMM: A NEW MUSICAL
"... a complex, deeply stirring and at times even provocative story that serves up a happy ending—but not before plumbing the depths of the darkest of human emotions...  a score so lush, evocative and beautiful that from the first notes of the opening ensemble number, I was catching my breath... for this to happen in a small theatre is a remarkable feat." 
         — THE HAPPIEST MEDIUM Online entertainment hub

DESTINY IS JUDD NELSON
"A very well directed play that uses many inventive devices to transcend time, space and technology... playwright Sarah Goncalves and director Olivia Hartle have crafted a work of art that is sure to not be forgotten..." 
         — SOUND SPOTLIGHT MAGAZINE

THE CURSE OF THE BABYWOMAN
"The Curse of the Babywoman is a delight: sweet and well-constructed, with distinctive humor as its best feature... PURE FUN!"
         — THEATRE IS EASY

Select Directing Credits