el waddingham (they/them)

el waddingham is an emerging experimental performance artist proudly based on Yugambeh Country. Their interdisciplinary practice flows across movement, contemporary dance, writing, holistic wellness, and stage and screen performance. el’s work is unapologetically bold, deeply queer, and always rooted in the magic of the human body and its capacity for transformation.

Their practice is eclectic and ever-evolving — a reflection of their fascination with life, community, and the natural world. With a style they describe as “a slap across the face with a palmful of biodegradable glitter,” el creates work that is simultaneously glittery, grimy, and gaudy — often blurring the lines between theatre and dance, politics and play.

el has worked with leading companies including La Boite, Browns Mart, ATYP, and Backbone Youth Arts, alongside a multitude of independent collectives throughout South East Queensland. They are the founding creative director of theatrePUNK co, an experimental arts collective committed to pushing the boundaries of contemporary performance. el is also a published co-writer of 34 Scenes About the Weather (Playlab) and Intersection: Dawn (Currency Press).

Holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting & Dance) from QUT and a 200hr Yoga Alliance accreditation, el weaves embodiment, dramaturgy, and energetic presence through all facets of their work. Through this program, they hope to build new creative relationships, expand their methods of making, and develop a new performance work that celebrates the cultural textures and histories of the Gold Coast.

Their favourite retreat is a quiet spot by the canals in Mermaid Waters — once a teenage hideaway, now a space for reflection and renewal.