Pride Alliance to host drag show

Fifth Annual Charity Drag Show raises funds, awareness for A.N.G.E.L.S.

Many long hours and much heart were spent diligently practicing and perfecting the performances, gestures and mannerisms for the 5th Annual Charity Drag Show put on by Georgia College’s Pride Alliance. All proceeds go to A.N.G.E.L.S. (AIDS Now Grasp Every Living Soul).

It’s a mature show centered on entertaining the students and the community while promoting a worthwhile cause. The biggest motive for the show is to raise awareness while putting on a performance.

“To see the energy…seeing the audience get excited about it and absolutely love it when it’s put together, it’s amazing.”

Jonathan Vernon,

President of the Pride Alliance and Senior  Management Information Systems Major

This year’s show was held in Magnolia Ballroom on Thurs. March 10 and had 13 performers in 11 performance numbers. Besides being entertained for the night, many door prizes were to be won—all of which had been graciously donated by local businesses.

Last year, in tips alone, the show raised over $800.

Jars are placed at the foot of the stage and people “tip” their favorite performers, who then put all of the money towards A.N.G.E.L.S.

Some of the performers had been a part of every show since the beginning while there are newcomers as well.

“Not many people know what it’s like to get down the mannerisms of the opposite sex,” sophomore psychology major Brittany Snyder said.

It takes anywhere from 45 minutes to two and a half hours to get into costume and make-up.  Make-up even requires practice with shadows and facial hair among other tricks of the trade- the face is a canvas and the artist gets to create a masterpiece and then become that character on stage.

New performer senior music therapy major Grace Nichols was ecstatic about being a part of the show this year.

“(The drag show) opens up a door for pride, after the show we gets lots of Facebook messages, people are interested to know more once they see what the show is all about,” said Nichols.

For many, the end result is the most rewarding and entertaining.

“To see the energy…seeing the audience get excited about it and absolutely love it when it’s put together, it’s amazing,” senior management information systems major Jonathan Vernon said about the most worthwhile part of being a part of the show.

Senior community health major Caitlin McCormick gets to use her prior dance experience with hip-hop in two numbers.

“I have watched (drag) shows and I have a dance background but I didn’t know what this show was. I wanted to work with A.NG.E.L.S. for my community health major. This was a great way to do so while having fun and raising awareness,” McCormick said.

“The choreography is the best part. I get to pull on my experience and experiment with movement. This year I worked on three dances in the show,” Snyder said.

Many of the participants of the drag show are also part of the Pride Alliance. They follow the group mission —“to promote a safe place to GLBTQIA students and Allies alike to openly discuss issues that affect them both in general and specifically on …campus.”

Having a place to discuss issues without criticism and judgment is both comforting important and comforting.

“I have loved watching the community become more supportive…[the show] has helped debunk stereotypes. We’re people just playing around,” senior double psychology and criminal justice major Amber Weeks said.