Drag is the art of playing off gender roles. It’s the art of stepping on stage and letting loose your inhibitions. In drag performance, males take on the traditionally female persona and vice versa.

But misconceptions about the art exist.

Audiences sometimes assume performers are the characters they personify, overlooking that beyond drag, performers lead everyday lives.

‘I think people forget that,’ said Nick Haas, president of Pride Union. ‘So they assume what they do onstage is who they are as a person, where a majority of the time, that’s not the truth at all.’

Traditional gender roles were tossed to the wayside Friday night for the 10th annual Totally Fabulous Drag show.

Professional drag queens JuJuBee and Shangela of RuPaul’s Drag Race hosted the event. Throughout the 2.5-hour show, they wove in hilarious commentary and well-timed jabs. The event raised $156 in tips, with 70 percent of the proceeds going to Sage Upstate and Friends of Dorothy.

Four Syracuse University student acts competed for the title of Performer of the Hill in front of a panel of three judges at Goldstein Auditorium, a prime locale for the performers, said Haas,a senior in the State University College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

‘That space allows them to feel comfortable because they’re not like at a bar, experiencing drag,’he said. ‘It’s a safer space that people know, so they feel a little more accepting, a little more open-minded.’

Four student acts reflect on their experiences in the show.

 ***

First-time drag performer Anita Cocktail, identified by her stage name, sought guidance from Nick Deyo, one of her backup dancers who previously claimed the show’s title during his freshman year.

Deyo emphasized the underlying significance — beyond entertainment value — of drag’s history. 

‘You find a voice in the fact that you’re able to challenge gender norms,’ he said.

In front of a boisterous crowd of about 900, Cocktail challenged those norms.

Flanked by three male dancers dressed as police officers, Cocktail toyed with each. Cocktail exited the stage and during her absence, the trio of officers’ spirited routine — including a well-timed crotch grab —fired up the crowd.

Returning in a flashy gold bra, pink wig and heels, Cocktail moved to the music. The officers stripped down to tight shorts. Judge Lauren Adamski, program coordinator at the LGBT Resource Center, commended the mid-routine costume change but criticized Cocktail, later named third runner-up, for relying heavily on her dancers to involve the audience. 

The end result was a collaborative effort. All but two of the costume items were borrowed, one piece coming from an unknown friend of a friend. 

 ‘The bra came from a stranger,’ she said. ‘I don’t know who she is, but thank you stranger.’

***

Sporting a leather jacket and slicked back hair, Rachel Valletta adopted the persona of Clint Torrez. Two female backup dancers joined her, wearing body-hugging shorts and tops.

The series of sexually suggestive dance moves in the racy number culminated when a backup dancer provocatively crawled to Valletta for a steamy lap dance.

‘In past years, when I’ve watched the show, those are the routines you enjoy most — when you can tell they’re up there, enjoying themselves and not taking themselves too seriously,’ she said, a smile stretched across her face.

The senior geochemistry and geography majorapproaches most situations with positivity and a laid-back attitude, even when she’s been treated with so much less. Valletta has coped with outright disrespect to smaller exchanges hinting at intolerance, she said in an interview after the show.

On more than one occasion, Valletta said bartenders at Chuck’s avoided serving her because she wore a tie. However, Valletta recalled one situation that set her off.

A few years ago, she and her club softball teammates finished practicewhen a driver passing by shouted a derogatory slur for lesbian. Valletta yelled back, infuriated.

Having the ability to remain upbeat despite the ignorance comes down to mentality, Valletta said.

‘It’s accepting the fact that there are going to be ignorant people wherever you go — ignorant to sexual orientation or race or culture,’ she said.

On Friday, Valetta let loose onstage accompanied by risqué lyrics and material adapted from Jason Derulo. The judges deemed the routine worthy enough for a first runner-up finish. 

***

When Joseph Trevino went dress shopping earlier in the week for Friday’s show, he had an unsettling encounter at a store off campus.  

The store clerk denied Trevino access to fitting rooms, claiming men were not permitted to try dresses on. He pressed for further explanation but received none.

‘It was pretty homophobic,’ he said.

As Donatella Rumors, Trevino danced to songs by artists like Rihanna and Lady Gaga. Trevino spent just four hours choreographing and preparing for the show’s performance.

Not every step was neatly choreographed, but Trevino’s spirited expressions held the audience’s attention. He glided across stage in a sparkly ensemble, rousing the audience and judges to claim The Performer of the Hill title.

Being in the spotlight was a welcomed change for Trevino, better acquainted with the behind-the-scenes aspect of running a show like he did for last year’s drag show.

‘Usually, I’m backstage. I’m the stage manager,’ he said. ‘It was good to be on the other side.’

***

Two-time performer Dixie Normus, identified by her stage name, and Mulan Rogue were second runner-ups. They rehearsed five to seven hours per day the week before the show, one session lasting until 5 a.m. The two performed ‘Light My Candle’ and ‘Tango Maureen’ from ‘Rent.’

The pair’s rendition of ‘Light My Candle’ offered a slower pace from the more raunchy tone set earlier in the night.

Two judges, Kerry Fox, associate director of student activities, and Eddie Banks-Crosson, director of fraternity and sorority affairs, declared their soft spots for ‘Rent.’ Fox craved more energy from the tango, but Banks-Crosson praised the pair.

After the show, Normus approached Shangela.

‘Do you like performing?’ Shangela asked. Normus nodded yes.

‘You should keep doing this,’ Shangela said, smiling.

Shangela appreciated the audience, but she also emphasized the purpose of the evening.

‘I hope that with us being here, myself and JuJuBee, it just helps spread the message of love, acceptance and equality.’

dbtruong@syr.edu

Published on February 26, 2012 at 12:00 pm

Contact Debbie: dbtruong@syr.edu | @debbietruong