On Saturday, March 5, OCU CARE’s QI Branch hosted a drag show, featuring OCU performers. The event was held at 10 p.m. in the Great Hall, and was two hours of pure, unadulterated joy, celebration, connection, and professional caliber performances and entertainment.
Upon arrival, the hall was packed with people from all over campus dressed to the nines, with bright, beautiful faces. They meandered around the space, hugging each other, sharing jokes, laughing, scarfing down pizza, and flicking tickets into raffle bins to win pride flags, rainbow rubber ducks, and gift cards.
But the crowd was soon drawn to the chairs, as if hypnotized, to see the long list of spectacular performers including: Paul Gutmann, Lilly Hazelwood, Becca Wallingford, Sophia Boyer, Nasir Panjwani, Allie Milburn, Eli Nash, Michael Rick, JT Cambria, and Ada Lopez. Each one of them presented their own talent, from singing to songwriting to clowning, even.
Paul Gutmann, a graduate Vocal Performance student was among the first to perform dazzling in a green sequined dress. Gutmann took the stage and sang a beautiful rendition of “I Am What I Am” from the classic musical La Cage aux Folles. The song is rather popular in music theater literature as well as queer culture, but Gutmann made the standard personal, endowing it with a powerful, rich vocal tambour, which deeply moved the audience.
Soon to follow was senior Music Theater major Allie Milburn, who presented a clowning improv routine. Milburn, clad in a suit and shoes which were half masculine presenting and half feminine presenting, captivated the audience with their skillful movement and storytelling. I have always admired Milburn’s work as a performer, but their nuanced approach to gender dysphoria, a queer issue that has often been overlooked, rendered me speechless.
Milburn was followed by Eli Nash, CARE’s QI Branch leader, who sang a breathtaking version of Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing.” Nash turned heads in his long, flowing red dress, and infectious grin. His raspy, yet vibrant voice soared across the hall, blending seamlessly with the flowing piano accompaniment provided by senior Music Theater student Kevin Howery.
Sophomore Music Theater major Michael Rick then replaced the heart-wrenching mood of the ballad with a high-energy, pop dance routine. Rick strutted elegantly around the hall, flipping his lustrous wig, and executing jumps, splits, and face-shattering kicks effortlessly. When the choreography grew more intense, Rick (though unintentionally, he later confessed to me), threw his wig off, sending the audience onto their feet to shower him with some well-deserved thunderous applause.
After Rick, junior Music Theater major Ada Lopez closed out the show with a striking rendition of “Defying Gravity.” Clad in a dapper, elegant pantsuit, Lopez propelled the audience on their feet once more with their harmonious vocal technique, and their dynamic, commanding tone that made many an eye tear.
Each performance was interspersed with scenes from OCU’s improv groups, which had the audience laughing non-stop with depictions of Tinder dates gone awry and unhinged displays of affection from Dua Lipa fans. In addition to improv performances, name-that-tune games were led by freshman Music Theater major Allie Guerrini. A catwalk competition was also held. Kyra Gomes, sophomore Music Theater major was the victor of the runway, earning her tickets to the Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma’s production of “Head Over Heels.”
Ella Dolynchuk, co-organizer of the event, said she wanted to help organize the show because she wanted to see stronger queer and non-binary representation on campus. It was wonderful to see queer talent celebrated and cherished in the welcoming, inclusive space cultivated by organizers Nash and Dolynchuk.
Though LGBTQIA+ representation and visibility has increased overall in the past few years, there is still much work to be done. I am proud to be a member of OCU CARE, which makes every effort to be an active part of that progress, and rejoices rather than ignores the beautiful things about our students.
To learn more about the work of OCU CARE (OCU Creatives for Artistic and Realistic Equity), or to join, fill out this form or visit CARE’s social media outlets @ocu_care.
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