On Thursday, May 3, Drury Allies is hosting the annual Drury Drag Show in collaboration with Alpha Psi Omega. The performance will start at 8:30 p.m. in the Wilhoit Theater. Tickets for the event are $3 in advance, or $5 at the door, and can be obtained from any Allies officer.

The Drury Drag Show is an event that has been a part of the Drury community for many years. But for those that will be experiencing drag for the first time, you may be wondering: “What is it?”

Drury Allies social media chair Trevor Cobb put it simply: “Drag, in general, is a type of performance art that plays with gender. A drag queen is typically someone who identifies as a male representing hyper-femininity, but women can also be drag queens! A drag king is going to be someone who portrays hyper-masculinity, instead, and we do have some drag kings performing.”

Part of what makes the event special is that it is put on exclusively by Drury students.

“It’s all Drury students performing, putting on the show, organizing it – it’s completely student-run,” explained Cobb.

Cobb is a senior, and this will be his second year performing in the drag show. As an Allies officer, he will also be helping to coordinate the event along with student volunteers.

“We have students helping with setting up, music, and make-up. We’re hoping that some of these people can help new performers that have never done makeup, or anything like this. This will be a lot of people’s first time doing drag!” Cobb stated.

Freshman Forest Swisher has been planning his debut show for quite some time.

“I have been watching performances online a bit, and getting inspiration from professionals. I have also been planning my costume for several days, as well as listening to the song I plan to perform to a lot,” said Swisher.

Cobb was eager to give advice to first-timers. “My advice to people performing for the first time is: don’t be nervous! That’s hard to do. I was really nervous my first time performing, but the best thing to remember is that your drag persona is not you. She is a whole different queen, and it’s okay to portray her however you want,” he advised.

The profit from the event will benefit the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of the Ozarks (the GLO Center) whom Drury Allies have worked closely with in the past. The proceeds will specifically benefit the GLO Center’s youth group, called “Galagxy,” which supports LGBTQ+ youth between the ages of 12 and 20.

The GLO Center is an invaluable resource for LGBTQ+ individuals in the Springfield area. It is described as, “a place to be yourself, a place to meet others in the community, and a place to find information about the community at large. In essence, the GLO Center is your place for all things concerning the LGBTQ+ community in the greater Springfield/Southwest Missouri area.”

Mark your calendar for Thursday, May 3: the night to be in the presence of royalty and support local LGBTQ+ youth, too. If you have never been to a drag show, your opportunity is here!

Article written by Delilah Gadd