Drag Show
All UE students are invited to participate in PRIDE's annual Drag Show, a philanthropic event to raise money for local LGBT support organizations such as AIDS Resource Group. The show has been on campus since 2002.
The Drag Show is a lip sync-style contest where males should dress as females, and females should dress as males.
Photos
History
In 2002 it all began with a "Caboret," then 2003 it was properly named a "Drag Show," the tradition continued to gain momentum in 2004 and now after the 2005 show we can proudy announce that pride has rasied over $3,000 for The Matthew Shepard Foundation. In addition, we have raised over $1,200 for the Evansville AIDS Resource Group (ARG). Each year the acts get better and the fun never stops.
Rules and Guidelines
Feel free to be as conservative or as outrageous as you feel comfortable (just keep in mind that this is a UE activity, so don't be so outrageous that it becomes inappropriate). Please use good common sense about this. You and your organization will be penalized should any boundaries be crossed. If you have any concerns about your act, please contact a PRIDE officer.
- Acts are lip-sync style, with dancing/choreography
- Acts can be an individual or a group consisting of no more than 6 people
- Main performer(s) must be in drag (non-drag "backup singers" are permitted)
- Entry fees are $10 per person, up to $40 (i.e., if you have a five or six-member act, your group still only has to pay $40)
- An entry sheet including the name of all performers, sponsoring group if applicable, stage names of performers, and act name, as well as the entry fee (cash or check) must be submitted to Dr. Gray (Graves 308) no later than Monday, November 12th.
- Acts should be no longer than 5 minutes
- A tape or CD of your music must be provided NO LATER than November 26th. Those can be dropped off in Dr. Gray's office (Graves 308)
- Music must be edited for propriety; we must follow the same rules as WUEV. No strong profanity or lewd references. Basically, copy the version you might hear on the radio (perhaps off of an mp3 player, to retain sound quality). If we do not deem your copy appropriate, your entry may or may not be rejected
- Acts will be judged in three categories: performance, costume/realism, and crowd response
- Tips will be collected as the indicator of the crowd-response. After tips are received on stage, they will be collected backstage and counted
- Winners of each category will receive individual prizes (gift-certificates, etc.)
More Info on Tipping
Traditionally, tipping is welcome at most drag events. The audience will be invited to approach the stage to personally deliver tips to the performer. A collection cup will be placed at the edge of the stage for this purpose. A good king or queen will respond to the crowd, but we insist that no performer physically touch any audience members. This is for safety and comfort reasons.
Tricks of the Trade
For females:
- A 12 o'clock shadow can be created with dark eyeshadow, liberally applied on the cheeks and chin
- Mustaches, goatees, sideburns, and thickened eyebrows can be drawn in with mascara or lip liner
- Fake facial hair and glue can be purchased at any costume store
- Short wigs might be found at costume stores. Incorporating a hat into your outfit may be the easiest way to hide long hair
- To create a flatter chest, use any comfortable combination of the following: sports bra, ace bandages, duct tape, waist trimmer, baggy shirts
- To walk like a man, take larger strides, keep your feet farther apart, and slouch more thank usual
For males:
- Shave your face. Please. Clean-shaven legs are a plus, but tights or dark pantyhose will usually cover up the growth
- Drag makeup is not street makeup. It is usually very bright and thick. Think RuPaul. Big eyelashes, big lips, high cheekbones.
- Wigs of all sorts can be found at costume and party supply stores
- Borrow or buy whatever type of bra you think works with your outfit. Pushup bras should help attain a "well-endowed" look. The cheapest way to fill it is a carefully packed pair of socks. Please refrain from using water balloons; we donšt need performers leaking on stage!
For everyone:
- There is a Goodwill near the intersection of Green River and Lincoln for all your clothing needs
- All drag performers choose stage names. You don't need to have one, but a clever (yet tasteful) name can increase audience response. Please refrain from using names of genitalia, sexual acts, or any other crude terms in your stage name.