Luke Reece

Creator-in-Residence 2025-2026

We are delighted that playwright, performer, producer Luke Reece will be Nightswimming’s Ontario Arts Council Creator in Residence for 2025, focusing on his new play titled Why I Like Birds. We look forward to supporting his creation work this year as he investigates his fascination with birds and the people who love them.

Luke’s creation residency (2025-2026) was generously funded by the Ontario Arts Council and we are grateful for their support.

Luke Reece is an award-winning poet, playwright and producer who strives to share authentic and engaging stories with audiences through his work. Luke is the Associate Artistic Director at Soulpepper Theatre, one of Canada’s leading non-profit theatre companies. Through his work as an artistic leader within the national arts community, he advocates for entertaining and nuanced storytelling that challenges Canadian audiences. He is one of Toronto’s most decorated slam poets, and his body of work includes a radio play, animated short, and a praised short film featured on CBC titled Notice. Luke has represented Canada on the world stage of Slam Poetry, and was also featured by NBA Champion and former Toronto Raptor Serge Ibaka on his Instagram Talent Show, How Talented Are You?. His solo show As I Must Live It premiered February 2024 and has garnered praise and comparisons to Lin-Manuel Miranda in The Globe and Mail.