For Rebekah Gwynn, the Queer/Trans Councilor with Algoma University Students’ Union (AUSU) and co-host for the upcoming Drag Show being put on in conjunction with Pride of Algoma, with support from the Haus of Gore, the art of drag is freeing.
“When I get all dressed up and perform it is a very liberating experience,” says Gwynn.
“Drag Artists will often say that they feel free on stage, and most personas are more outgoing than the artist regularly is.”
This experience and energy of the performers is often transferred to the audience watching the show.
“When the performers are having fun, the audience feeds off the energy, and before you know it the entire place is having a good time.”
That positive synergy might explain why drag has maintained such a long and storied history that has evolved from a 17th century theater practice to an award-winning form of entertainment that has gained legitimacy internationally.
Its popularity and incorporation into the mainstream has come in waves, from the Vaudeville performances to musicals like Hairspray! to films like Some Like It Hot to more recent songs like Divine by Antony and the Johnsons.
In recent years, drag has been more popular than it ever thanks in part to RuPaul Andre Charles, one of the most famous drag queens in the world.
The rise in the popularity of the art is reflected by the explosion of popular television shows, like RuPaul’s Drag Race to find America's next drag superstar and the numerous spinoffs it inspired.
By its most simplistic definition, a drag show is an entertainment which is performed by drag artists, often featuring singing or lip-syncing while performing a pre-planned pantomime or dancing while donning elaborate costumes and makeup, sometimes dressing to imitate various famous opposite sex singers or personalities.
For Gwynn, who refer to themselves as a 'Drag Thing' as opposed to a gender-specific term, the gender of a performer is irrelevant to the performance itself.
Gwynn also notes that drag’s history hasn’t always been as embraced as it currently is.
“Drag is a pillar of the Queer and Trans community, existing as far as history goes but really gaining momentum from the Ballroom scene a few decades ago,” says Gwynn.
“We are a community that historically has had a rough time, so [creating] safe and inclusive events stand out in the best way. Students need representation, and we at AUSU want to provide it.”
The upcoming Drag Show is being hosted on the Algoma University Campus.
“Amateur drag artists can submit pre-recorded performances to be streamed on Twitch along with a few performances happening live on campus.”
This isn’t the first time an event such as this happened on campus.
“We have hosted the Haus of Gore a few times in the past, as recently as pre-COVID [in] 2020, but this is the first time we’ve hosted our own drag event.”
The concept of hosting this event is part of a bigger impetus to provide students a safe and inclusive environment.
“I’m not entirely sure who had the idea first, but the idea comes from the drive to provide students and the community with a safe and encouraging environment to try new things.”
The event offers an opportunity for people interested in drag, but who have never participated as a drag artist to get involved as a performer.
“I’ve done drag since 2017, and in that time, I’ve only performed at official events twice,” says Gwynn.
“It can be difficult to start and extremely daunting. We want to provide anyone with an interest in drag with a braver space to learn and workshop their skills.”
Although the event itself is on the Algoma University campus, it will be livestreamed on Twitch for safe viewing from home, as safety is a priority.
“The folks who will attend in person will be a bare-bones tech crew and a small handful of drag artists, including the hosts.”
Social distancing guidelines will be observed and masks will be worn.
Gwynn, who will be appearing under the name of Fortune Favours for the show, is looking forward to the event as a host and performer.
“I'm very excited for this opportunity to share my art with folks.”
The Drag Show will take place on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
This is an inclusive event and everyone is invited to participate.
More details about the event and how to watch it via Twitch will be provided on the Drag Show Facebook event page or Instagram page.
