Students were entertained and inspired at the Student Drag Showcase organized by the Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA) on Sept. 24.
Hosted by UMKC alumni and Kansas City drag performers, KC Sunshine and Kiyanna Uchawi, the show had an astounding turnout of over 100 people.
The showcase featured 10 student performers who each dominated the stage with their numbers. Together they were able to share a special part of queer culture with the UMKC community.
“I have never been to a drag show before. This was my very first time attending an event like this,” said UMKC freshman Seiry Melendez. “I loved seeing the creativity from all the performers. They all did a really good job and made the show super exciting. It was really cool to see and be a part of.”
SAGA’s goal with this showcase was not only to highlight performers, but to inspire audience members to try the art of drag.
Many of the students participating in the showcase were first-time performers. The majority of them shared that past drag shows put on by SAGA inspired them to get involved.
“My first introduction to drag performing was SAGA’s 2022 Halloween Drag Show and I genuinely left that show as a changed person,” said student performer Ashley “Rosemerry Go-Round” Appleberry.
Appleberry made her debut as Rosemerry Go-Round the following year at SAGA’s Halloween Drag Show back in Oct. of 2023.
“I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to see that show and discover this part of my life,” said Appleberry. “The ability to host these shows on campus and introduce the UMKC community to talented performers from the local drag scene is such an amazing and powerful experience that our university is privileged to have.”
Throughout the showcase, alumni-host Sunshine continuously encouraged audience members to get registered to vote.
Nearing the 2024 presidential election, LGBTQ+ people (and drag performers in specific) have been at the forefront of political conversation.
“We are going through something very important right now in our country and visibility is one of the most important things that we need,” said alumni-host Uchawi.
Just earlier this year lawmakers in the state of Missouri introduced legislation which could impose restrictions on drag performances.
“There is so much misinformation and lies about LGBTQ+ people being spread everyday,” said Jacob “Daisy Von Dutch” Paine, a first-time student performer. “In our current political climate, the very act of drag is a protest.”
A common goal among these drag artists is to inspire others to be true to themselves. This sentiment was shared by many student performers, including Francesca “Gun Wilde” Makuch.
“I want students to see me on stage and realize that they can do it too. That they should be proud of who they are. They can have fun and be themselves and that is beautiful and that is art,” said Makuch.
SAGA plans to continue hosting events which highlight local drag artists. Their next drag event will be their annual Halloween show on Oct. 29. For more information on the event, click here.
