Biography
Miguel Torres Umba is an actor, director, and movement specialist known for his expertise in creating and portraying physically demanding and dynamic characters. He plays Ben in the new Paramount film Primate. "Miguel's performance is really quite incredible ... and makes Ben feel like a legitimate threat" - Fangoria. "Ben is practical, spectacularly crafted by Millennium FX, and played by movement specialist Miguel Torres Umba. The chimp's transformation from sweet pet to terrifying monster serves as the film's biggest asset" - Bloody Disgusting. Miguel was born in Colombia and began training as an actor in Bogotá before specialising in corporeal mime and physical theatre in the U.K. He is also known for his longstanding collaboration with Gecko Theatre, where he has performed in productions such as the National Theatre co-production KIN, The Wedding (UK Tour), and the feature film Institute (Gecko/BBC). Miguel's one-man show, Stardust, earned critical acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, with The Guardian noting, "Using a mix of animation, movement, and monologue, the storytelling is beyond impressive." In addition to his acting work, Miguel is a leading figure in immersive theatre. He was the creative director for Rematch Live's Rumble in the Jungle and performance director for Glastonbury's Terminal 1. He spent over 12 years at Secret Cinema, where he rose from performer to creative director, contributing to iconic productions such as Moulin Rouge, Back to the Future, and Star Wars. As a director and practitioner, Miguel's creative practice is rooted in inclusivity, playfulness, and a deep commitment to exploring socio-political issues. Through his company, Umba Arts, he has produced various projects, including Latinx Youth Theatre, a platform that empowers young Latin Americans in London to celebrate their cultural identity through the performing arts.
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