The 21st Show

Adapting drag during the pandemic

Produced by Owen Henderson and Erica Scalise
 
Bloomington-Normal drag queen Sharon ShareAlike (left) and Champaign-Urbana drag king Spank Knightly (right) are two of many drag artists who have had to adapt their performances to the restrictions created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bloomington-Normal drag queen Sharon ShareAlike (left) and Champaign-Urbana drag king Spank Knightly (right) are two of many drag artists who have had to adapt their performances to the restrictions created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Photos courtesy Sharon ShareAlike and Spank Knightly

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Like all live performers, from actors to musicians, people who perform drag have had to adapt and change during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some performers started doing outdoor shows, while others pivoted online — live streaming their performances or creating video content for their followers. There have even been drag competitions on Instagram.

The 21st was joined by two central Illinois drag performers to talk about different ways that drag artists have had to adjust to performing in the pandemic.

GUESTS: 

Jess Schlipf (they/them) / Spank Knightly (he/him) 

Champaign-Urbana based drag king

Sharon ShareAlike (she/her)

Bloomington-Normal based drag queen | Creator and owner of BoobsForQueens and Dragskins

 

Photos courtesy Spank Knightly

 

Prepared for web by Owen Henderson

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