OLIVIA KNIGHT
OLIVIA
(she/they)
is an actor, storyteller (intimacy & fight director), and teacher driven by work that challenges, connects, invites conversation, and explores the complexities of humanity.
A Virginia native and mountain lover turned Houston-based artist, they hold an MFA from the University of Houston’s PATP and BFA in Theatre & English from Virginia Commonwealth University. She was awarded Best Breakthrough in the 2025 Houston Press Theatre Awards.
When not onstage or in the rehearsal room, they’re likely hiking with their pup, working on their reading list, starting a new crafting project, or laughing (often loudly).
PRESS
Best Breakthrough – 2025 Houston Theatre Awards
“Ambiguity, rage, the weight of trauma, retribution, vulnerability, sexual power or sexual victim. As Una, in Blackbird, the postmortem play of an illegal May-December romance, Olivia Knight takes all these conflicting emotions and dares us to see her. To hear her. To understand just what she’s after, even if she herself isn’t sure.
Why is she visiting the man who went to jail for seducing her when she was underage? Knight kept us guessing throughout her explosive 90 minutes on stage. As a performer, she damn near radiated with the character’s conflicting, searing emotions. We couldn’t take our eyes off her.
Her turn as Una proved that Knight can singularly own the stage. Confidence, talent, and a deep understanding of a very multi-formed character. She showed all that to us in what was undoubtedly one of the most memorable performances of the season.“
– The Houston Press
Una in Blackbird with Dirt Dogs Theatre Co.
“It’s an impossible role but she nails it.“
– Doni Wilson for Houston Chronicle
“Knight is a master of expressions: she can convey the greatest pain and vulnerability, and the most effective defense mechanism in the same scene. She knows when to shut her eyes, quiver her lips.”
– Doni Wilson for Houston Chronicle
“She’s unpredictable and it’s riveting, keeping Ray and the audience on their toes…Knight’s staggering delivery of a behemoth of a monologue, where the specter of her 12-year-old self manifests before our eyes and her 27-year-old self wavers (in which we) feel the unbearable weight of the trauma she’s carried into the room.”
– Natalie De La Garza for Houston Press
“The acting here is top-notch. The intensity ripples off the stage and into the audience for the entire run from entrance to final exit.”
– Brett Cullum for Broadway World
Ash in Wolf Play with Rec Room Arts
“Watching Knight slowly become a parent is a treat to watch. From the coy smiles and subtle eyebrow raises of intrigue, Knight’s journey of loving Wolf is a welcomed alternative to the typical narrative…”
– Ada Alozie for Houston Press
Julia in The Birds with Dirt Dogs Theatre Co.
“Olivia Knight’s Julia, on the other hand, comes off as honest but secretive, scheming and needy, with a palpable (and unknown) intention behind every word and every action. As Julia, she also perfectly captures the same angry face teenagers everywhere seem to wear with ease.”
– Natalie De La Garza for Houston Press
Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Houston Shakespeare Fest.
“Olivia Knight perfectly serves desperation, distress, and disbelief as Helena…once the Athenian interlopers get a bit more dishevled, they all get going and deliver physical comedy gold.”
– Natalie De La Garza for Houston Press
AWARDS
Best Breakthrough for Una (Blackbird)
Houston Press Theater Awards 2025
Best Actress Finalist for Una (Blackbird)
Houston Press Theater Awards 2025
Best Supporting Actress Finalist for Ash (Wolf Play)
Houston Press Theater Awards 2023
Best Play Finalist for Wolf Play (Rec Room Arts)
Houston Press Theater Awards 2023
Best Play Finalist for King Lear (Houston Shakespeare Festival)
Houston Press Theater Awards 2022
Multidisciplinary Research Grant Recipient for The Penelopiad
VCUArts 2021
Best Actor in a Play for Ada Byron Lovelace (Ada and the Engine)
SALT Theatre Awards 2020
Creativity Award for The Crucible
Cappies Awards 2016
Actor
As an actor, Olivia approaches her work with empathy and curiousity. Recent credits include Blackbird (Una) with Dirt Dog’s Theatre Co., A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Helena) with Houston Shakespeare Festival, and Wolf Play (Ash) with Rec Room Arts.
Storyteller
With specialties in intimacy and fight direction, Olivia has worked with the Houston Grand Opera as Intimacy Director for their productions of Il Trovatore, Cinderella, and La Bohème. They also served the Fight & Intimacy Director for La Alcina and Ghosts of Versailles with the Shepherd School of Music.
Teacher
In the classroom, Olivia channels her passion for acting, movement, and stage combat as a teacher at Kinder HSPVA and Duchesne Academy. She is also Adjunct Faclty at the University of Houston and teaches workshops in the area.
© 2024 Olivia Knight. All Rights Reserved. Photos by Natasha Nivan Photography, Forest Photography, and Gary Griffin.