She’s Just 15—But Vivienne Jolie Ran the Broadway Set Like a Pro, and Even Angelina Had to Fall in Lin
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
When the curtain rose on The Outsiders at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on April 11, 2024, Broadway audiences saw a story of loyalty, resilience, and youth in action. What they didn’t see was another story unfolding backstage—one where a 15-year-old quietly took charge, sometimes even correcting her Oscar-winning mother.
That teenager was Vivienne Jolie, the youngest daughter of Angelina Jolie, who served as a volunteer assistant on the production. And according to Jolie, Vivienne took the role “very, very seriously.”
“She’ll correct me. She’ll say, ‘Didn’t you read the memo? We have to do this,’” Jolie told People at the premiere. “She’s been a really tough assistant.”
A Mother-Daughter Broadway Story
Jolie, making her debut as a lead producer, credited Vivienne’s passion for theater as the reason she joined the project at all. The two attended a pre-Broadway run of The Outsiders at La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego—Vivienne multiple times—and the experience inspired Jolie to help bring the show to New York.
Vivienne earned a credit as producer assistant in the official playbill, a role the musical’s score and book co-creator Justin Levine says she handled like a seasoned pro. “She was right there with the music, writer, and greaser team,” Levine noted, underscoring her commitment.
The production, adapted from S.E. Hinton’s 1967 novel and Francis Ford Coppola’s 1983 film, went on to win four Tony Awards on June 16, 2024, including Best Musical.
Passing on a Legacy
For Jolie, Vivienne’s behind-the-scenes dedication mirrors that of her own late mother, Marcheline Bertrand, who studied with legendary acting teacher Lee Strasberg and “loved theater.” Jolie described Vivienne as someone who, like Bertrand, prefers supporting other creatives over seeking the spotlight.
“She’s a young artist who focuses her efforts on her support of others,” Jolie said. “That’s exactly the kind of person I’m proud to see her becoming.”
A Collaborative Creative Force
Jolie’s contributions to The Outsiders went far beyond producing. Through her fashion collective Atelier Jolie, she designed costumes for the cast and wore a custom Chloe x Atelier Jolie gown to the premiere. She also praised the show’s creative team, particularly director Danya Taymor, for leading with kindness and fostering a collaborative spirit.
“It’s an extremely talented, brilliant, kind group of people who work unbelievably hard,” Jolie told Extra.
That collaborative ethos extended to Vivienne, who balanced her school life with working alongside Broadway veterans—earning not just her mother’s respect, but the admiration of the entire cast and crew.
More Than Just a Title
If there’s a takeaway from this behind-the-scenes Broadway tale, it’s that Vivienne Jolie’s role was more than honorary. She showed up, learned the ropes, and wasn’t afraid to hold her famous mother to the same standard as everyone else.
And for Angelina Jolie—a star used to leading her own productions—there was no hesitation in taking direction from her daughter. After all, as she might agree, a good assistant keeps the show running.
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