“Time Warp” into the Drag Show
The University of Indianapolis’ seventh annual Drag Show was held in Ransburg Auditorium on April 1. The show was organized by UIndy Pride and Alpha Psi Omega.
Students , faculty and staff perform the “Time Warp,” from the popular movie “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the seventh annual UIndy Drag Show on April 1. Photo by Elizabeth Wheeler.
The Drag Show was a charity event in which all proceeds raised were donated to the organization Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Audience members were asked to give $2 donations.
According to their website, BC/EFA has raised over $195 million for essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses in the United States.
“Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to reaching out and educating actors in New York City,” Greta Pennell, former adviser to PRIDE, said.
Senior Rico Ewing stressed that the show is not just a talent show and there is always information about the charity.
“There are rehearsals and sound checks involved; it is a performance,” Ewing said. “There is always a table informing the audience members about the charity, what it stands for and where the money goes.”
Many campus performances allow students to receive L/P credit for attending, but university administration would not allow the Drag Show to offer L/P credit.
Photo by Elizabeth Wheeler
“We were told the show was denied for the L/P credit because the event is a fund-raiser, but Hearts for Haiti, a charity event as well, was granted L/P credit. I want to prove to Myra Maxwell [instructor and director of remedial studies mathematics and computer science and director for providing L/P credit] that the two events are in fact the same.” Audra McClure, junior and co-chair for UIndy Pride said. “I don’t want to say it is discrimination, but I want them to come out with the real reason.”
According to Ewing, a performer in the show, the university has given numerous reasons for not awarding the Drag Show L/P credit.
“Last year they told us it was because the show didn’t have any educational value,” Ewing said. “I think it ultimately boils down to political reasons.”
Many students agree that there is plenty of educational value involved in the Drag Show.
“You’re learning about the lifestyles of the LGBT community, and the show brings awareness to bullying by including everyone, from every background, and every culture…no one is excluded,” audience member Ke’ara Sanders said.
According to McClure, the event is held to celebrate different lifestyles.
“There should be a night we can be inclusive to everyone’s needs. Being gendered isn’t an issue,” McClure said. “We want to allow people to be whoever they like.”
Students McClure, sophomore Ashleigh Skaggs, junior Susan Lutterbach, and Co-Master of Ceremonies, Manny Casillas were just a few who performed their rendition of the “Time Warp,” from the motion picture “Rocky Horror Picture Show.”
Performers danced to numerous hits by artists such as Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Kylie Minogue; stage names included junior Kayla Warren as Keagan Holloday, seniorJoey Hansell as Miku Hatsune and Ewing as Robin Da Cradle.
Ewing left the crowd “breastless” when he did a frontward flip and exited the stage, but left behind his breast cutlets.
Another favorite returning performer was Adjunct Professor of Social Sciences James Wolfe.
“He’s great,” McClure said. “He’s just so full of life and really open-minded, and it is always a pleasure being around him.”
Wolfe’s a cappella performance had the crowd roaring with laughter as he strutted the stage with his fully grown beard, wearing a dress and carrying a purse.Judges Peter Murphy, assistant professor of philosophy and religion, Elizabeth Weber, associate professor of English, Mary McGann, associate professor of English and Pennell chose to give Wolfe the Honorary Queen award.
Other winners of the night were: Keagan Holloday (Warren) for best king, Robin Da Cradle (Ewing) for best performance, Miku Hatsune (Hansell) for funniest act and Oscar Meyer and Frank Furter (seniors Chelsey Wood and Katie Gainey) for best group.
The show also featured a few entertainers who do not attend the university, including a local magician and alumnus who dressed as Andrea Merlin and returning performer Monica Valadez.
“My favorite part of the show was the comedy/magic performance by Andrea Merlin,” audience member Kevin Hunter said.
Co-Master of Ceremonies Deborah P. Nitration ( senior Mason Absher) announced that last year’s show earned $900 in donations, and that this year’s goal was to raise $1,000 to $1,200.
As of Reflector press time the amount raised this year was not yet known.
