Elm Reyes

Elm Reyes is a theatre artist, actor, Drag King, choreographer, producer, and arts worker whose practice bridges theatre, drag, movement, and community-centered creation. Stemming from jazz and classical voice training, later finding roots in physical storytelling, devised performance, and play, his work explores identity, transformation, and connection while creating spaces where queer joy, collaboration, and accessible artistic expression can thrive. Elm was awarded the Outstanding Performer Robert Merritt for his performance in Downed Hearts in 2023 and more recently held the RBC Performer Apprenticeship with Musical Stage Company and performed alongside Canadian icons such as Jackie Richardson and Steven Page in 2025.  

Performing internationally as his drag persona EL EXPERIMENTO, Elm has become a dynamic presence in Canada’s drag and theatre scenes. His work has been featured at the Austin International Drag Festival, Toronto Burlesque Festival, Pride Toronto, Hamilton Pride, Luminato Festival, Atlantic Burlesque Festival, and Outfest, The Largest Queer performance festival in the Atlantic. Elm’s choreography with Pythia and + Denim (Canada’s Drag Race) was featured in Oraculum at Buddies in Bad Times’ 2024 season. On screen, he has appeared in Priyanka’s Drag Brunch Saved My Life (Crave Canada) and SkyMed (CBC/Paramount+). 

Elm’s theatre credits include UNCOVERED: Cher X Madonna (Koerner Hall, MSC), Cowboy Tempest Cabaret (MSC), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Grand Theatre), The Last Show on Earth™! (Neptune Theatre), Downed Hearts (Eastern Front Theatre and Ships Theatre Company), Trojan Girls and the Outhouse of Atreus (Outside The March and Factory Theatre), among others. As a creator, he continues to develop original interdisciplinary performance work that draws from movement, clown, drag, and devised theatre, centering stories that challenge convention while inviting audiences into imaginative and deeply human experiences. 

Beyond the stage, Elm is an accomplished arts worker, producer, choreographer, and facilitator with a passion for community engagement and artist development. He has collaborated with leading arts organizations across Canada as a mentor, arts administrator, marketing professional, and educator, creating opportunities for emerging artists and expanding access to theatre and performance. 

Elm holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of Windsor and continues to expand his practice through interdisciplinary collaboration, movement research, and innovative performance creation. Whether performing in a theatre, a cabaret, or a festival, his work is driven by a commitment to honest storytelling, artistic playfulness, and building vibrant communities through live performance.