Who We Are

Rebecca Millar

Co-founder/ Creative/ Artistic Co-director(she/they)
Rebecca is a deviser, performer and writer who has been telling stories all her life. When she wasn’t accosting family members with hour-long rambles, she spent much of her childhood writing books about Egyptian mythology or murder mysteries, and kept a yearly poetry anthology from the ages of 11 to 18. 
During their time at the University of Kent studying Drama and German, Rebecca came to love devising through play, and her work quickly developed a darkly comical, confrontational tone that has resonated throughout her creative pieces. 
After achieving a First in her degree and being awarded with Best Degree in German, Rebecca set out into the world of theatre. She co-founded Oida! in February of 2022, and works as a writer, producer and performer for the company. She seeks to uplift and empower womxn through theatre, and hopes to provide a platform for as many weird and wonderful things as she can.
Credits include Maryland (2021), Anathena (2022), Now & Then: I Think of You (2023-24), Generation FOMO (2024-25) and Baggage Reclaim (2024- 25).
 

Elissa Nicholson

Co-founder/ Creative/ Artistic Co-director(she/her)
Elissa is an award-winning theatre-maker with a passion for creative storytelling, writing and design.  Born in the Midlands, she moved to Spain at a young age, spending 18 years there before returning to the UK for her higher education. She began writing for her school productions at age 16 and has continued to explore and develop her artistic skills since.   Having graduated from the University of York in 2020 with a BA in Theatre: Writing, Directing and Performance, Elissa then went on to complete an MA in Theatre Making at the University of Kent in 2022. Over the course of her studies, she has discovered a fondness for collaborative devised practices and the sharing of a creative process.   Whilst much of her independent work highlights an enjoyment of re-imagining traditional tales and myths into contemporary contexts, her true passion lies in uncovering relatable and thought-provoking narratives that both excite and challenge their audiences.

Edie Brennan

Associate Artist(they/she)

Edie is a kent-based sound designer and musician specialising in sound for film and theatre. She is the creator of multiple radio dramas, including 2023's SIGNIS. Edie's work explores the relationship between sound and other creative practices, as well as the role sound plays in storytelling. 

They have been featured in multiple exhibitions and festivals in collaboration with choreographers, filmmakers, theatre makers, and other creatives. 

Olivia Hespe

Associate Artist(she/her)

Olivia studied acting at ArtsEd Drama School, London and The National Youth Theatre of Great Britain.

She has played roles in the genres of horror, fantasy, thriller and psychological drama in 9 feature films and 17 short films, acting in France, Norway, and throughout the UK. 

She recently completed a short film named ‘The Crossing’ which was directed by Oscar winning writer Christian Azzola. She starred in BBC’s Everything is connected: George Eliot’s Life. 

Olivia’s stage experience includes plays with the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain, in Sean Holmes’ Shopping and F’ing at the Lyric Hammersmith, Sliced at the Sinden Theatre and she performed a leading role in Oida! Theatre’s successful ‘Baggage Reclaim’ ; a show which she had co produced, to critical acclaim. Olivia is a regular contributor to ex-Doctor Who script editor and prolific writer Andrew Cartmel’s rehearsed readings.