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Directing

Directing

Current project: The SpongeBob Musical at The Theatre Factory in Trafford/Pittsburgh, PA (July 19-27, 2024)

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. Her artistic interests are in devised work, physical and comedic theatre, improvisational processes and performances, anti-oppression work, radical collaboration, and inclusive creativity.

Olivia is trained as an intimacy choreographer through Theatrical Intimacy Education and a forum play Joker through Theatre of the Oppressed NYC. She has also trained with the New York Neo-Futurists in their signature non-illusory approach and the Anti-Oppression Resource & Training Alliance in anti-oppressive facilitation. Currently, Olivia is working on her certification in Teaching Clown with The Clown School.

Applause

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