For Olivia Haller, theatre was more than just an extracurricular activity—it was where she found her people. A proud alum from the class of 2010, Olivia immersed herself in the world of performance, participating in plays and musicals during her time at Madeira. It was through theatre that she built a sense of community, a theme that has remained central to her artistic journey.
After Madeira, Olivia pursued her passion by earning a BFA in Theatre Arts at Boston University, where she explored playwriting, dramaturgy, and new play development. She later landed a prestigious fellowship at Woolly Mammoth Theatre, where she honed her skills as a dramaturg and literary associate. There, she became an expert in dissecting the world of a play—understanding its historical, cultural, and contemporary significance.
Over the course of her theatre career, Olivia found herself increasingly drawn to writing because it offered her the most creative autonomy. She aspired to be a playwright, inspired by her idols who were making the leap from theatre to television writing. Determined to follow in their footsteps, Olivia set her sights on Los Angeles.
After COVID wreaked havoc on the world and theatre scene, Olivia seized an opportunity to enroll virtually in UCLA’s Professional Program in TV Drama Writing .In January 2021, she took a leap of faith and moved to LA, quickly establishing a network of friends and collaborators, including fellow Madeira alum Katherine Foust ’10. This move set off a chain of opportunities that propelled her deeper into the film industry.
Her first job in LA was in health and safety on film sets, an experience that allowed her to learn the ins and outs of production while networking with industry professionals. She then transitioned into an assistant role at a talent agency but soon felt the itch to create again. Teaming up with a writer from one of her groups, Olivia wrote, produced, and starred in her debut short film, [subtext]. The film was a huge success, making its way into over 50 film festivals worldwide including the American Pavilion at Cannes, SCAD, Cleveland, Evolution Mallorca, FilmQuest, and the Austin Film Festival!
Building on this momentum, Olivia took on a role as a developing producer for Chasers, which recently premiered its pilot at the Sundance Film Festival in February 2025. Looking ahead, she is spearheading an indie TV series titled And Also With You, which follows a devout Catholic woman in the Midwest who comes out as bisexual in her 50s. Already, the pilot was a Finalist in the 2024 Shore Scripts OutHere LGBT screenwriting competition and is currently in the Top 1% of scripts on Coverfly. Talk about getting off to a good start!
Although Olivia primarily works in TV/film, she still maintains a connection to the theatre world - her play Loneliness Was a Pandemic—originally written in 2018 but eerily relevant in today’s post-COVID digital age—debuted Off-Off-Broadway in November 2024. The play explores AI, artistry, and the complexities of human connection in a digital world. She continues to develop that project with producer/director Alex Kopnick.
Navigating the evolving entertainment industry has not been easy. With studios scaling back and competition fiercer than ever, Olivia acknowledges the increasing significance of the indie film world. Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and FAST channels have become essential in providing independent artists with opportunities to showcase their work.
Through it all, Olivia remains grounded in the values she discovered at Madeira: the importance of community, collaboration, and genuine connection. When reflecting on her path, she often looks back on her time in the school’s theatre program and remarks, “that’s where my community was.” To this day, fostering a sense of belonging remains at the heart of her creative work. Her advice to aspiring artists? Show up, be genuine, and build meaningful relationships. Olivia is dedicated to using her platform to uplift other voices and create space for diverse perspectives. With a bright future ahead, Olivia Haller is poised to make an indelible mark on the entertainment industry—one story at a time.
If you want to learn more about Olivia and all of the exciting projects she is working on, be sure to check out her website.
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