By Hannah Fritzinger, Managing Editor ∼
It may not be common knowledge, but Penn State has its own drag ambassador group called Opulence, which was founded in 2017.
According to the mission statement, Opulence wants to curate a fun, carefree space for “aspiring drag queens, kings and enthusiasts.”
They also want to “enhance awareness to challenge the gender binary” and “celebrate social understanding.”
Drag queen Amethyst performs at 3 Dots Downtown on February 16th, 2023 Credit: Hannah Fritzinger
Opulence usually holds performances at 3 Dots Downtown on Thursday nights. They also take part in events like the Pride HUB Takeover–scheduled this year for Wednesday, April 5–part of Penn State’s April celebration of Campus Pride Month. They also held performances during Love is Louder, an event organized by the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity last year.
I attended an Opulence performance called “Throwback Night,” held on February 16, at 3 Dots Downtown, and spoke with a few of the performers about their art.
Performer Amethyst is the Co-President of Opulence alongside Greta Winkler. Amethyst’s look and character are inspired by other notable queens such as Trixie and Katya, Is She Hungry, and Age of Aquaria.
Amethyst said that drag for her is about expressing creative artistry.
“Being able to make clothing, being able to do makeup and put a whole vision together,” Amethyst said. “I’m very grateful to the community that I’ve had here because I don’t think I would have gone as far and gotten as into it as I have without Penn State.”
Drag performer Chemicole performs at 3 Dots Downtown on February 16th, 2023. Credit: Hannah Fritzinger
Performer Chemicole, who has been with Opulence for the last year and a half, also talks about what drag means to her.
“I very much enjoy connecting with the community and just bringing people lots of joy. Everyone loves watching a man in a wig run around and do death drops and splits,” Chemicole said.
And from the audience’s reaction, they’re right.
All the seats were filled by the time the show started. By the end of the show, there were even bystanders on the street, outside the building, watching in and cheering on the performance.
History of Drag
Drag can be defined as individuals who dress up as a different gender, usually in an exaggerated or over-the-top way, as a form of self-expression and entertainment. Drag queens and kings usually perform skits or pantomimes in front of audiences.
The origin of drag, according to CBS News, “may trace its roots to the age of William Shakespeare, when female roles were performed by men.”
Julian Eltinge in and out of drag. Credit: The Pride
“The origin of the term is debated, but one possibility is that it was coined after someone noticed the dresses or petticoats that male actors wore on stage would drag along the floor.”
The roots of the modern drag movement can also be traced back to Julian Eltinge.
Born in 1881, Eltinge was an American film and stage actor who preferred performing as a female impersonator. Eltinge started as early as 10 years old appearing in the Boston Cadets Revue as a female.
As ambassadors of drag, Opulence performers carry on this rich history. You can catch them on April 5 at the HUB-Robeson during their takeover event, or at 3Dots some Thursday night soon!
Hannah Fritzinger is a third-year student at Penn State majoring in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in English. In addition to serving as the Managing Editor of KLIO, she is also a Mental Health and Wellness Reporter with the university’s student-run publication, The Daily Collegian.