Just Be- The Fabulous History of the Drag Musical

Author

Benjamin George Wambeke, University of Montana, MissoulaFollow

Graduation Year

2023

Graduation Month

May

Document Type

Thesis - Campus Access Only

Degree Name

Bachelor of Fine Arts

School or Department

Theatre

Major

Theatre

Faculty Mentor Department

Theatre

Faculty Mentor

Pamyla Stiehl

Keywords

Drag, Music, Theatre, Musical, Queen, History

Subject Categories

Acting | Arts and Humanities | Dance | Music | Other Theatre and Performance Studies | Performance Studies | Theatre and Performance Studies | Theatre History

Abstract

A 20 minute exploration into the history of cross-dressing as a prevalent part of such as Shakespeare, Ancient Greece, Kabuki, and early American theatre. Then, a look into the burgeoning politics of the Gay Liberation movement led to drag as we understand it today being a well-used trope on the main stage. Historical bits are told while the narrator dons drag makeup intermixed with popular songs from musicals featuring drag such as Kinky Boots (or intentional cross-gendered casting, such as Peter Pan).

Honors College Research Project

Yes

GLI Capstone Project

no

Recommended Citation

Wambeke, Benjamin George, "Just Be- The Fabulous History of the Drag Musical" (2023). Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts. 415.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/utpp/415