First-time drag queen Janet Dickson, dressed in a black tanktop, grew more and more nervous before stepping out onstage duringSpectrum's drag show Saturday night, she said.
But once she got out there, the crowd of nearly 400 studentsmade it a whole lot easier, she said.
"It gets easier as you go," Dickson said. "I was really nervouswhen I got up there, but once the crowd starts screaming, it goesaway."
Twelve other performers also dressed in drag during Spectrum'ssemi-annual show, the theme of which was "As Time Drags On..." Incelebration of the organization's 30th anniversary, the showfeatured 15 musical acts by 11 drag queens, one drag king andbackup dancers.
Dickson, who also wore a jean jacket, black pants and a red andwhite baseball cap, danced and lip-synced to "All Nite" by JanetJackson and later to Jackson's song "Come on Get Up."
Members of the audience stood, cheered and rushed to the stageto give her tips as she performed the two dance acts featuringhip-hop and R & B mixed with pop music.
"It's something fun to do," Dickson said. "It's a good way toexpress yourself."
Britney Queers, one of Saturday night's veteran queens, dancedto Britney Spears's "My Prerogative" and to a medley of "Boys" and"I'm a Slave 4 U." Dressed in a sleeveless black top with a pinkshirt underneath, faded flare jeans and black heel boots, Queerscaptured the hearts of audience members who gave her money andcheered for her when she removed her black shirt.
"I kind of felt that I couldn't let my fans down," Queers said."The outcome last year was amazing, and I just decided to come backand give Ball State the rush that they needed. The energy levelfrom the crowd just makes me want to come back and bring thatenergy to the next level."
Queers said she enjoyed seeing all of the performances and howpositively the audience responded to each one.
"I feel like some of the new queens did an amazing job,especially Janet," she said. "I'm just excited to see the energylevel she got; it was just amazing. I'm hoping next semester we cancollaborate."
Kylie Kissimmee, who performed with Queers last semester, dancedand lip-synced with Gwennabee Phair to a song by t.A.t.U., aRussian teen pop duo. The two dressed in white shirts, black tiesand red plaid skirts and ended the performance with a kiss.
"We decided to do t.A.t.U. the way that t.A.t.U. marketsthemselves as lesbians," Kissimmee said. "We thought it would bereally great because we're not dressing up to be somebody. Beinggay as opposed to dressing up as a straight person adds somethingelse that the audience realizes, and I think they enjoyed it."
C.C. Cookie, another veteran drag queen, served as one of theshow's emcees. She received a standing ovation after performingwith six backup dancers and lip-syncing to "Holding Out for a Hero"from the "Shrek 2" soundtrack while wearing a sparkly red dress,black cape and heels.
Bubbles, the second emcee, wore a black fur coat, black dressand crown and ended the show with "Chain of Fools" by ArethaFranklin and "I Believe" by former "American Idol" contestantTamyra Gray.
Cookie said she was pleased with the show's turnout and with thequality of the performances.
"Everyone has prepared for weeks for this, and I know everyoneput a lot of effort in this," Cookie said. "I'm proud of everyone,and by the way it looks, we made a lot of tips."
Anita Brown, Spectrum's president, said the group collected $274from Saturday's show and will donate it to the Human RightsCampaign, America's largest national gay, lesbian, bisexual andtransgender political organization, which provides a national voiceon gay and lesbian issues.
All tips go to a good cause, Cookie said.
Queers will be back on stage next semester with something fresh,she said.
"This is not the last of Britney Queers, not yet at least,"Queers laughed. "I want to make Britney Queers a householdname."
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