Drag It Out performers change meaning of “getting fingered”

The women of Drag It Out celebrate their recent performance at Atomic. (Photo by John Sklba).
The group is always looking for new members.

Visit: www.dragitout.com.

By JOHN SKLBA

Drag It Out is a community-based organization looking to give back via the gift of entertainment while challenging the role gender plays in determining social identity.

Tabatha Mudra is the head of a merry band of gender benders looking to reach out to anyone interested in experiencing freedom, self-expression and fun. “We are bringing in theatrics, special effects, detailed choreography and experimental stage presence,” Mudra said via email.

Since October 2008, Drag It Out has conducted 10 week intensive workshops where attendees learn to become part of the Drag It Out experience. Attendees learn how to create the illusion of gender bending through make up techniques, performance skills, and confidence all for the low, low price of free thanks to the dedication of time from volunteers.

Vaughn Jackson, one of newest performers, walked away with a glowing experience.

“I had so much fun and it was amazing to see,” Jackson said. “What I enjoy most is that I can go all out and put whatever I am feeling in some form of expression.”

The training is not very simple, but in the end can be very rewarding. “

Participants are guided through the process and ultimately direct and produce their own musical or theatrical numbers for a graduation ensemble performance that raises awareness and money for local community-based organizations,” Mudra stated.

Drag It Out prides itself on conducting performances with graduates and regulars to raise awareness and money for local community based organizations. The current plan is to perform two large fundraisers a year for the KQA. That’s kids, queers, and animals.

The involvement Drag It Out brings to the LGBTQ is very predominate in its current “1” campaign. “1” aims to dissolve labels surrounding the LGBTQ community and bring an alliance with the straight community as well.

“The campaign was a simple solution to unify by using visual and physical sensory, how it feels to be a part of something larger than yourself,” Mudra said.

That physical sensory part is a new adaptation on a well-established gay friendly symbol; the rainbow. Instead of waving a flag, the “1” campaign uses nontoxic markers to create a rainbow on index fingers to build connectivity within the community. It adds a new meaning to the phrase “get fingered”, which was a common rallying cry backstage at the New Drag Ultima show at Atomic Boom in April.

Mudra notes that Drag It Out offers more than just an entertaining sideshow.

“After just one and a half years we have recognized that we are not “just a phase” and we are ready to entertain by supporting the depth behind personal development and leadership skills of our participants.”

For more information about upcoming shows or becoming a performer yourself, check out www.dragitout.com, or visit the groups Facebook and Myspace pages.