How We’re Different from Animals (2018)

Devised and performed by Élan Ensemble
Directed by Jonathan Muñoz-Proulx
Produced by: Tony Abatemarco and Charlotte Gulezian
The evolutionary development of a new devised work continues.
Élan Ensemble pushes the limits of naturalism and brings life to text through the human body to create a surprising and deeply felt collective experience. This new work is based on the short stories of Miranda July.

THE ARTISTS OF HOSTAGE

Élan Ensemble
theatre company

Rooted in Los Angeles, Élan Ensemble is a deeply diverse ensemble of actors that bring their individual élan* to the collaborative process of devising theatrical works and adaptations, unified by a common understanding of physical theatre techniques gained in the USC MFA Acting Program.

A new theatre community, Élan Ensemble is in residence at Skylight in the Underground program

*spirited self assurance; verve

Jonathan Muñoz-Proulx
director

Jonathan Muñoz-Proulx serves on the Latinx Theatre Commons Advisory Committee and has previously served as adjunct faculty to the USC MFA Acting program, as well as a grant review panelist to the California Arts Council. Muñoz-Proulx’s directing credits include ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST (After Hours Theatre Company); ANGELS IN AMERICA, PART I: MILLENNIUM APPROACHES (USC); CLOUD TECTONICS (Arts Bottega); CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION (USC); I AM TO DIE SOON (PRT); FOLLOW (Watts Village); LIZZY (EST/LA); HERE WE ARE (Chalk Rep); and readings at Playwrights’ Arena, Bootleg Theater, East West Players and A Noise Within.

Christian Henley
actor

SKELETON CREW (Chester Theatre Company) Regional: ALL THE WAY (South Coast Repertory); CONCRETE ORANGE: AN AMERICAN FABLE (The Guthrie Theatre). LA: HONKY (Rogue Machine Theatre); MY CHILD: MOTHERS OF WAR (Hudson Backstage Theatre); TWILIGHT: LOS ANGELES, 1992; THE ORESTEIA PROJECT; THE THREEPENNY OPERA; AS YOU LIKE IT; THE AMERICAN CLOCK (USC). Henley is a graduate of the 2016 Master of Fine Arts in Acting program at the University of Southern California and a proud member of the Guthrie Experience in Minneapolis, MN and an Oprah Scholar.

Apollo Lebowitz
actor

Apollo Lebowitz is thrilled to work again with some of his wonderful USC colleagues. Recent LA credits include: THE IMMIGRANT (Sierra Madre Playhouse), AS YOU LIKE IT (Fountain Theater), FORTUNATE SON (Coin & Ghost). NYC credits include: The Whitney Museum, Primary Stages, The Flea Theater, The Brick, NY Fringe Festival, Soho Playhouse, and Smith St. Stage. TV: THE PINE TAR INCIDENT on FS1. Apollo earned his M.F.A. from USC.

Tarah Pollock
actor

Tarah has been part of the Elan Ensemble since its inception three years ago and is excited and moved to be sharing this work with all of you. Her LA Theatre credits include: ALL YOU SEEK at Downtown Dance, THIS SIDE OF SWEETWATER at the McCadden Theatre, DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA at Montserrat, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM with Downtown Rep, and FUNKY PUNKS at La Mirada Theater. Tarah is also a company member at Ensemble Studio Theatre. Her shows at EST include: The Ovation Nominated WATCHING O.J., RED AND BLUE, FOOLISH ANGEL, and IN SEARCH OF DOG, as well as several other readings. an Tarah received her MFA in Acting from USC in 2014. For Film/TV/Voiceover work check out www.TarahPollock.com.

Elmira Rahim
actor

Elmira (Co-Founder and Artistic Director - Élan Ensemble) started her acting career in her home country Iran, where she worked with some of the most prominent theatre companies. She believes her land has offered her a deep understanding of complexity and a great force to create art. After leaving her roots, she joined the USC MFA Acting program and met some of her most inspiring mentors. She has been working on stage, on camera and as a voiceover actor since her graduation.

Danielle Reynolds
actor

Raised in Idaho and trained in Portland, Oregon as an opera singer, Danielle came to Los Angeles to pursue her Master of Fine Arts in Acting at USC. After completing the physically transformative program, she began self-producing comedy/music shorts with Two Evil Actors (www.twoevilactors.com). This led to a freelance career in commercial, TV, and film production, where she continues to expand her skillset as an independent creator. She teaches private and group voice classes focused on the intersection of classical vocal training and the Linklater approach.

COSTUME DESIGN: Brooke Nicole (Gerson) Kumar

MEDIA