Will Peischel
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In the 109 years that Cal Poly has existed, there has never been a drag show on campus.
That’s about to change.
The Queer Student Union (QSU) will host a drag show in Chumash Auditorium at 8 p.m. on Thursday. The show will take the format of a play, featuring multiple acts, group numbers and dialogue.
The new student organization has already made waves this year for organizing the “shit-in” to promote gender neutral bathrooms on campus.
According to co-founder theatre and dance senior Rotem Drori, the primary goal of the event is to entertain, but there will be educational aspects as well.
“It’s just supposed to be a fun, entertaining night that people can come and enjoy for free and learn something about the world of drag and become a bit more knowledgeable about the queer community,” Drori said. “It’s not meant to be controversial or rub things in people’s faces.”
He noted that while some thematic topics of the play could be seen as controversial, they would be addressed in a dialogue following the performance.
The production and talents are exclusively student-run. Drori wrote the show himself.
Adam Serafin, the QSU advisor and Pride Center assistant coordinator, sees the show as an opportunity for students of all backgrounds to come and learn about the club and a niche of the queer community that isn’t always clearly represented in culture.
“I think this has the opportunity to bring people in that might not normally go to a queer event. I think it can do some of that as far as raising awareness,” Serafin said. “The show also has the opportunity to educate people while they’re there.”
Drori intends for the event to draw in people of all backgrounds and remain completely inclusive.
“We just wanted to entertain everyone who would show up,” he said. “We’re telling everybody. We’re not looking for people only supportive of the queer community. We’re not keeping anybody out. Doors are open and entrance is free.”