This article was updated on Oct. 6, 2018. 

Here in Springfield, Mo., in the heart of a strongly red state, there has been a surge of drag in recent years. Not the fast-paced street racing, but the fabulous, colorful and often sexual gender-fluid performance style that is popular in the LGBTQ+ community. Offering an artistic outlet for all people, drag shows have made our little college town the true Queen City of the Ozarks.

What is drag? Who can do it?

Drag is a performance style in which performers, usually men, dress as women in elaborate costumes and are known as “queens.” These queens lip-sync popular, often very feminine songs and dance in high-energy, sometimes seductive performances.

The style originated in gay communities, and still has strong roots in the LGBTQ+ community. Drag has been made more popular by TV shows such as “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”

Drag is no longer “just for gay men.” Now, more than ever, people who are not members of the LGBTQ+ community are exploring the fascinating and liberating world of drag.

“Drag is, primarily, a form of art,” said Howell N. Beast, who asked to be named only by his drag persona for privacy reasons.

Last semester, Howell participated in the drag show hosted by Drury Allies and won the fan favorite award.

Drag queen “Daya Betty.” Photo via Trenton Clarke.

“You don’t necessarily have to be a man dressing as a woman on the stage or a woman dressing as a man on stage,” said Howell.

Trenton Clarke, the performer behind the drag persona Daya Betty, agreed that drag is more than just gay men performing as women.

“A lot of people have this tendency to be drawn towards the stereotypical pretty-looking drag queen, and there is so much more than that. Try to keep an open mind. For example, I love seeing people perform things that are… nasty and scary,” said Clarke. “For people new to performing, I would say don’t limit yourself to trying to be a certain type of [queen]… don’t be afraid to play with the unconventional.”

“I would say to people new to watching to respect all different kinds of drag,” Clarke said, encouraging everyone to watch drag performances, regardless of their sexuality.

417’s most popular drag show: Get Dusted

Get Dusted is an event created by Springfield drag star Crystal Methyd. The event is meant to bring together both drag performers and viewers, as well as introduce new people to the culture of drag. One of the main focuses of the monthly event is to provide exposure to younger audiences who may be unfamiliar with drag.

“Get Dusted gives young people a chance to see drag and experience drag in a safe and exciting atmosphere…” said Lux, a queen who regularly performs at the event. Like Howell, Lux asked to be named only by his drag persona.

“I’ve never been to another drag show that is this thrilling and inclusive. Whether you’re onstage performing or just out in the audience, you know you’re part of something special just by being there,” Lux stated.

Lux described Get Dusted as “electric.”

“You walk into the room, and you know that something exciting is about to happen. It celebrates all forms of drag and performance art and also all forms of people,” said Lux.

Bailey Aspey, a Drury senior, was inspired by Get Dusted. Aspey shared his first experience with drag with The Mirror.

“I went to Get Dusted and it was just captivating. [The queens] were so sweet and beautiful and inviting…. that night I started looking up drag videos and I was like ‘I have to do this,’” he said.

Aspey now performs in local drag shows as Summer Cruze.

“Get Dusted is the show that inspired me to become a drag queen so that would definitely be my favorite place to perform because the energy is so strong there, and it’s once a month so you have that whole month to get ready and get excited for it,” said Aspey.

The inviting spirit of the community makes it easy for anyone to get involved, whether as a spectator or a queen.

The significance of drag

“[Drag is] a way for me to express myself. But at the same time, I’m not a very artistic person. I can’t paint, I can’t draw… so makeup is kind of a thing for me to be expressive. And at the end of the night, I have something to show. I can transform myself and feel beautiful about it,” said Aspey.

Drag queen “Summer Cruze.” Photo via Bailey Aspey.

For Howell, participating in the Drury Allies show was an exploration of gender.

“Being in drag helped me realize I’m not cis-gendered,” said Howell. 

The blurred lines of gender in drag helped Howell explore questions of identity. These blurred gender lines also shape the experience of drag for Lux.

“Drag allows me to be someone completely different from myself. During the day, I am a shy, introverted guy, and at night I get to be this beautiful, kooky, confident woman and I love that,” said Lux. “I love exploring gender and what it means to be male or female. For me, the lines are always blurred; I like to incorporate masculine and feminine qualities into both my real self and Lux. I love drag because I get to be creative and create things with my friends.”

Daya (Clarke), Crystal, Lux, and local favorite Daegen Michelle have become close friends because of drag, and are friends both in and out of drag.

Lux said, “My friendship with Daya, Crystal and Daegen is one of the best things in my life. Growing up I never had a group of friends like this and so I feel so lucky to have one now. We’re just four creative individuals who are very good at what we do, and that’s why we work so well together. We push each other to be the best that we can be, we have each other’s backs, and we’re always there for one another. I will fight anyone for those girls.”

The future of drag in Springfield

“We have so many people doing it,” said Clarke, “and I think that’s such a great thing that people are feeling the need or the want to express themselves like that.”

“I see the foundation being laid for a whole new era of queens, and I feel cool knowing that I am part of that,” said Lux.

Howell had thoughts on the future of drag as an art form.

“The future of drag is exploration,” he said. “[Last semester] we had comedy, we had glamour, we had top twenty hits, we had Disney! Drag does not get confined anymore.”

When asked what these queens saw for the future of Springfield drag, their responses were optimistic overall; however, some were concerned.

“I would love to see it be where we could go anywhere,” said Clarke. “There [are] moments when you’re walking down the street, and people are saying things to you, or yelling things that are inappropriate or questions. I would like to go outside and not feel like I have a little bit of a guard up.”

Clarke mentioned that he would feel uncomfortable walking in drag in North Springfield, including Commercial Street. 

While this is disheartening, it also serves as a reminder of why drag is important. Supporting this community reinforces a spirit of inclusivity. We can help make it so areas like C-Street are safe for everyone to walk through, wearing anything that makes them feel comfortable and confident.

Upcoming drag events

For his senior seminar project, Aspey will host a drag show in the Springfield community.

The show, “Summertime,” is on Friday, Oct. 26. The event will take place at a downtown venue called The Old Glass Place (521 E. St Louis St.). Tickets are $8, and all proceeds go to Rare Breed, a local nonprofit that helps at-risk youth ages 18 to 24.  

Laughing, Aspey told The Mirror, “It’s gonna be beautiful… I’m gonna be beautiful.”

Get Dusted is on the last Saturday of every month. It is downtown at the Outland Ballroom (326 South Ave.) Tickets are $25-30, varying from month to month.

Martha’s Vineyard (219 W Olive St) hosts a drag show every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night as well as most Saturday nights. Tickets are $6 for 21+ and $8 for minors.

Fuzion (1611 N Campbell Ave) puts together a drag show every Friday and Saturday night. Cover charge is $7 for 18+ and $5 for 21+.

Mix Ultralounge (1221 E St Louis St) also hosts a drag show every Tuesday night for those 21+.

Written by Forest Swisher and Jacob Maher.