Space Company

Emma Irene Olson

writer, performer
Emma Irene Olson is a queer performance artist living and working in Los Angeles. Her approach is multi-disciplinary, with written text, original music, improvisation, clowning, audience interaction, and wearable art. Their most recent show, Astro Cabaret (directed and co-devised by Natasha Mercado), a solo drag musical inspired by her astrological birth chart, premiered at the 2024 Hollywood Fringe Festival to rave reviews and was nominated for "Best Cabaret & Variety Show" by the Hollywood Fringe Community, as well as the Three Clubs Production Award. She has studied at The Elysian Theater, Upright Citizens Brigade, World’s Greatest Improv School, WE Improv, and Feminist Acting Workshop as well as with teachers and clowns Jacquelyn Landgraf, David Shiner, Deanna Fleysher, Natasha Mercado, Gemma Soldati, Chad Damiani, Zach Zucker, and Tallie Medel.

Maura Mannle

director
Maura Mannle is a performance artist, clown, writer, educator, and movement theatre human. She believes in the power of creating your own work, most recently devising her award-winning solo show Extraterrestrial Kink. She has trained with American Conservatory Theatre, Second City, Frantic Assembly, and in the legacy of clown.

Jacquelyn Landgraf

consulting producer
Jacquelyn Landgraf is the Artistic Director of The Elysian, a nonprofit theater on L.A.'s east side showcasing alternative comedy, experimental theater, and boundary-pushing performances seven nights a week. With a mission to foster and promote bold new work from emerging and established artists, the Elysian hosts classes and workshops, instigates genre-clashing collaborations, and creates development initiatives for emerging artists like The Spaghetti Festival, the Edinburgh Percolator, and Elysian's Company-in-Residence. Space Company was developed in "Playing Yourself", The Elysian's solo devising workshop series, led by Jacquelyn.