Mary Overlie is the discoverer of The Six Viewpoints, a theoretical deconstruction and reconstruction for post-modern theatre. She has had a long career as a performer, choreographer, teacher and theater collaborator, working extensively in both the United States and Europe. She has worked with Paul Langland, Nina Martin and Wendell Beavers. Overlie and Beavers formed a company from 1976 to 1980. She has collaborated with theatre directors Lawrence Sachrow, Lee Breuer, JoAnne Akailitis, Brian Jucha and Anne Bogart. Some of these collaborations have won Obies.
Overlie is a founder of Danspace at St Mark's Church in-the-Bowery, a dance presenting organization and theatre in New York; Movement Research, a dance co-operative now in its twenty fifth year of operation, sponsoring workshops and presenting performances serving the community of New York City dancers; The Experimental Theatre Wing, a studio in Tisch School of the Arts' undergraduate drama department; The Pro Series, experimental dance workshops designed for the Tanz Wochen, the summer dance festival of Vienna.
She is currently teaching at the Experimental Theatre Wing, working on a book for The Six Viewpoints, designing a certificate program for The Six Viewpoints, and performing occasionally.