Every year, Kent State Interhall Council hosts Sex Week, which is designed to destigmatize talking about sex with various activities. One such activity is a drag show. This year, a member of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Tatianna, was the headliner. Last year, I was so excited to attend, but my seven o’clock lab had other plans for me. So I was determined to make the show this year. I’ve been a fan of Rupaul’s Drag Race for as long as I can remember. I live for the drama and die for the looks. I’d seen all the flips and tricks on the T.V. screen, but I dreamed of seeing it up close. So I dragged my friend out to see my first drag show. 

 What to wear?

Drag queens are known for their fierce looks, and I wanted to dress to impress. I found myself asking should I wear something simple and understated or do I go full glam? I was unsure if being too much would be good or bad, so I erred on the side of caution. My trusty friend Google was not much help this time around. I wore a sparkly mesh shirt and a lime green leather jacket. I figured it was dressed up enough to catch eyes but not steal the show. So I walked out and went to pick up my friend.

The wait

We arrived at the show 30 minutes before it started. I thought we would be the first ones in line. I could not have been more wrong. The line went from the auditorium in Cartwright to the McGilvery. For readers not familiar with these buildings, I hope it will suffice to say that it was an extremely long line. I had never been more excited to stand in a long line in my life. You could feel the excitement from the other people in line. We were all freezing in our fun outfits, excited to experience something new.

The show

By seven o’clock, we were seated in the balcony. I did not know what to expect for the opening of the show. I sat there buzzing with anticipation when I heard a loud “Can y’all scoot in? Like this lady said, we gotta fill these seats.” I looked to the stage where a Ms. Ashley Adams Andrews stood in a rainbow sequin mini dress and all her glory. She told some jokes and warmed up the crowd. The humor was a bit raunchy, so I’ll just say it had me in stitches. Then she introduced the first queen. 

I was surprised to hear that she was one of Kent State’s very own. She came out in a black dress, broom, and a witch hat that barely fit through the door. What came next can only be described as the thrill of a lifetime. There was music, costume reveals and death drops, and I was living for it all. We got to so many more local queens throughout the night. But the moment Rupaul’s Drag Race alum Tatianna hit the stage, my life was made. She came out as Sabrina from The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Netflix series. When her first heel hit the stage, the crowd exploded. The energy was already high but when “Don’t Call Me Angel” came on all eyes were on her. The number was amazing with props and an exorcism to boot. 

I thought the night could not get any better but the chemistry and banter between Alejandra Jlove and Ashley. They not only played off of each other but they also engaged the audience. At one point, Ashley was in the balcony and Alejandra was in a boy’s lap. They kept it interesting and engaging the entire night. The show only got better as it went on. Some queens even had second numbers. Tatianna closed the show and effectively blew everyone’s minds. 

My thoughts 

I could not have asked for a better first drag show experience. I have loved Tatianna since season two of RuPaul’s Drag Race, and I feel like going to see her perform was the highlight of my year. I was expecting to see talented drag queens on stage; however, what I was not expecting was the energy and the vibe I got from the people there. It was an overall good time for everybody whether you were gay, straight, male or female. 

I also learned the importance of cash when going to these events. The queens work hard on their costumes, lip-syncing, and overall performances. They deserved to be tipped for their hard work. They take cash, coupons and gift cards. It does not have to be a lot but if possible, please leave tips. I definitely recommend a drag show for anybody looking for an inclusive environment and a great time.