Glitter, confetti and performances by drag queens and kings made up Abstract: A Drag Show Extravaganza. Men and women transformed into their drag personas for this event. Tenderoni, Bambi B. Banks, Bella DeBalle, Claire Voyant, Ari Gato and Danika Bone’t, hosted by Luna, took the floor at Madden Theatre on Nov. 3.
Photo by Enrica Uhlen
Luna, otherwise known as Tommy Varela, ’19, was influenced by RuPaul’s Drag Race. His goal for hosting the event was to raise money for 360 Youth Services, a local nonprofit organization focused on community-based intervention services.
When it comes to the hardest part about getting ready for a show, Varela said it’s covering his eyebrows. “You do it with…an Elmer’s glue stick, you have to let that stuff dry. Glue ‘em down, wait for ‘em to dry. Do it again and again and again.”
DeBalle, one of the performers, has been doing drag for about a year and a half professionally in Chicago. Carin Silkaitis, actress and associate professor and head of acting at NCC, was her influence to begin doing drag.
“She was directing a show in the city called ‘Barney the Elf’ and asked me if I wanted to understudy for all the drag queen roles,” said DeBalle. “I did the show, got the bite and here we are.”
