RYAN JAMAAL SWAIN (Elliot) discovered his passion for performing at an early age and has continued to shine with his triple threat abilities as an actor, dancer and singer. Swain’s breakout role as ‘Damon’ on Ryan Murphy’s “Pose,” has gained him much praise and acclaim for his portrayal of an ambitious aspiring dancer who after being kicked out of his home for being gay becomes a part of self-selected family that provides him with the love and support he’d never received before. The highly renowned and Golden Globe nominated FX series is now entering its second season. In his break out year on television, Swain was included on the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 list, was named by PAPER magazine as 100 People Taking Over 2019 and was featured in publications such as Nylon, GQ, NY Times, Interview Magazine and WWD, to name a few. Ryan also recently made his Broadway debut in “Choir Boy,” directed by Trip Cullman.

In 2014, Swain wrote and starred in “A Negro Writer,” a one-man show about Langston Hughes and his life. Swain recently finished a World Premiere Off-Broadway production of the critically acclaimed “Kill Move Paradise” (National Black Theatre, New York) and “13 Alabama Ghosts and Jeffrey” (American Theatre of Actors, New York). Among his favorite credits are his roles in “Six Degrees of Separation” (‘Paul,’ Keegan Theatre, Washington D.C), “295N” (‘Jasen,’ Signature Theatre, Washington, D.C., World Premiere), “Thoughts of a Colored Man” (‘Wisdom,’ GALA Hispanic Theatre, Washington, D.C., World Premiere), and “Spring Awakening” (‘Moritz,’ City Equity Theater, Birmingham, AL). 

Swain grew up in Birmingham, Alabama and honed his craft in local dance and theater companies such as Alabama Dance Academy, Alabama Ballet, Red Mountain Theatre Company, Birmingham Children’s Theatre and Virginia Samford Theatre. He also trained at Howard University and British American Academy in Oxford U.K.

As a young activist Swain lends his name as a Stonewall Ambassador and to the It Gets Better Project both in the US and abroad. Swain is currently working on a young adult book based on a queer Southern teenager who is finding his way through life’s highs and lows. As one to watch in the fashion space, Swain has caught the attention designers such as Christian Dior, Thom Browne, Salvatore Ferragamo, Coach, and Helmut Lang, and his style stands out among his peers at red carpets and events throughout NYC.