The CSU Drag Show returns to campus – The Cauldron
Glitzy makeup and shiny costumes radiated under the stage lights of the Student Center Ballroom as Drag performers sang and danced the night away.
On April 15, Cleveland State University held the annual student-run drag show in partnership with the LGBT+ Center. 11 students performed at the show, along with two special guests, local drag performers Omega and King Jace Blaze.
Drag is a unique artform that is constantly changing. Stereotypically, drag is seen as a cis-gender man dressing in lavish costumes and makeup, dramatically impersonating a woman. However, drag goes deeper than impersonation, it is the exploration and expression of gender through the medium of fashion and performance.
Cleveland has a rich and diverse drag scene, ranging from Studio West 117’s Drag Brunch, to smaller events such as the CSU Drag Show.
Each drag performer has a distinctive character called a drag persona, a colorful character that represents who the performer is.
Photo taken by: Audra McClain Able N. Willing Caption: Special guest performer Omega
This year the show consisted of historical comedy sketches, live music and performances from student performers.
Jesse Jackson is a senior computer science major. This year was his second year performing as his drag persona Maine(Void). Maine(Void) is a robot hailing from the depths of space and is the personification of questioning one’s humanity.
“I really love exploring the allegory of being a robot through the perspective of exploring human rights and exploring the way people are dehumanised and exploited and overall just tapping into that fundamental experience of ‘I may not look like you but I am human too,” said Jackson.
Jackson choreographed his act to the song “Ængus, The Prize-Winning Hog” by The Toxhards. The act was an exhilarating and lively piece, Jackson impersonating a county fair hog overtaking and killing the butcher chasing him.
Jackson explained that the act has been in the works for nearly two years, and has gone through many variations.
Photo Taken By: Audra McClain Able N. Willing Caption: Jesse Jackson performing to the song “Ængus, The Prize-Winning Hog”.
One of the reasons for Jackson joining the drag scene was to be able to artistically express himself in a way that the people around him would not have normally expected.
“Being perceived as cold or analytical compared to someone who majors in liberal arts, but still getting to express myself artistically in a way that people on the outside wouldn’t necessarily expect from someone like me, a queer person of color,” Jackson said.
For people like Jackson who yearn to express themselves through artistic performance, the CSU Drag show serves as a starting point into the local drag scene.
Hope Rodgers is another local drag performer that found their start in drag through CSU. Rogers is also a junior psychology major and the president of the Queer Student Alliance.
Rodgers performed as their drag persona Miss Quito for the second year, a genderless goblin from the deep, dark depths of the forest.
“I only have done drag once before, at last year’s show, and I’ve been a little hesitant, more so I don’t want Miss Quito to be miss gendered,” Rodgers said.
Rodgers’ drag persona explores the spectrum of gender, and what it is like to exist outside of the social binary gender roles. Miss Quito’s pronouns are they/it, and through this Rodgers expresses that Miss Quito is neither male nor female but something all their own.
On top of being a performer in the show, Rodgers was also one of the primary organizers for the event.
“Last year it was really stressful. This year we had a good team and a lot of people ready to help and excited for the show. The only difference is we didn’t get as many sign ups. Last year we had 15 but this year we only had 13,” said Rodgers.
Photo taken by: Audra McClain Able N. Willing Caption: Drag Queen Indie Vyduel performs on stage.
Even though the show had less performers then previous years, it was an exhilarating and entertaining night that brought many members of the LGBTQ+ community together.
Rodgers and Jackson both expressed that it is a scary time to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community, making it more important than ever to stand together as a community to love and support one another through uncertain times.
“As much fun as I am having on stage it is also a really scary time, as a Queer person and as a trans person,” Jackson said. “So yes, be here to have fun but also be here to support us.”