Suffolk University’s Performing Arts Office teamed up with the Queer Student Union last week to host an annual drag show as a celebration of LGBTQ+ History Month.
The show was held on Oct. 20 in Smith Café in the Samia building, which had been transformed into a lounge-style room with tables centered around a runway.
Each table was equipped with a Halloween bucket filled with chips, candy and other snacks, while non-alcoholic drinks were served from a separate counter.
The room was divided into a section against the back wall where audience members would not be touched by the performers, and the main floor, where an interactive audience could engage with the performers directly.
As the first performer and host of the show, Crystal Crawford took the stage, the drama began. Crawford began her act, only to stop mid-song to admonish the DJ when the audio didn’t meet her standards.
When she took the stage again, to a new song, she quickly shut the DJ down. But once the audio was adjusted, Crawford entertained the crowd with a performance that held nothing back.
One of the most notable elements of a drag show is the ability for the queens and kings to speak their truth, most of the time doing so with uncensored language. Crawford took the time to speak to the students about the experience of coming up as a drag queen in Boston.
“When I came up in drag there were five of us in Boston, we did the whole circuit,” Crawford said. “I brought drag to Suffolk and after 21 years we are still doing this.”
The next performer, Shakaren, came out and really got the party started. In leather chaps, a fuzzy bikini top and a thong, Shakaren elevated the excitement in the room.
The next performer, Lilly Rose Valore, came out in a wolf mask and proceeded to perform “She Wolf” by Shakira. Valore was the most physical in her performance. From jumping off the stage into a full split to doing handstands against the wall, Lilly Rose impressed.
Not only was Valore’s performance one of the highlights of the night, she spoke to the students about her experience as a new drag queen.
“I am a transgender woman of color and I just started in drag, it’s been four months,” Valore said.
She spoke on the Boston drag community and their acceptance of her, as well as how drag kings have become an important part of the community.
“Everyone has fought for their place at the table,” she said. “Let’s promote a positive community.”
The final performer was drag king Travis Ti Stone. Taking on a masculine persona, he came out to songs from Queen and Panic! at the Disco.
As each performer came out, the sense of comfort in the room became apparent. Students were able to embrace the experience, leaving their comfort zones and feeling a sense of belonging.
All performers not only put on a show that allowed the LGBTQ+ community at Suffolk to explore their identities, but enabled them to do so in a mature and inclusive manner.
Follow Ashley on Twitter @Ashleyfairchi14.
