Reflections on 'Fright Night': a look at BeLonGTo's fourth drag show
The Halloween show made space for artistic creative acts and audience participation alike.
Last Friday night, the Bethel BeLonGTo campus group hosted its fourth-ever drag show in Krehbiel Auditorium.
The president of the BeLonGTo club, senior Kendall Hiebert from Gossel, organized this event and brought in drag kings and queens from both the local Wichita area and neighboring cities. Among them was the emcee for the night, Alexander ‘Moonwalker’ Jackson.
The night began with “Toxic” by Britney Spears as the opening number, followed by the introduction of emcee Alexander and the lineup for the rest of the kings and queens. The lineup consisted of returners Juju Noir, Iris Fay Moonwalker, Starla Nyte, and “Sexual Chocolate.”
The kings and queens each performed two special numbers throughout the show. Following the spooktacular events of the night, games were played such as a pushup competition won by senior Helena Driscoll from Bartonville, Ill.
At the end of the night, a costume contest was held. Junior duo Schlyer Entz from Newton and Claira Janssen from Beatrice, Neb. were named the winners for their iconic Jedediah and Octavius costumes from the movie “Night at the Museum”.
Afterward, a meet and greet took place outside of the auditorium. Here, I was able to speak to Hiebert as well as the kings and queens and delve deeper into their world of drag.
“I want students to see the diversity in the community and around the campus … the drag show is a fun way to bring it out,” Hiebert said. After graduation, Hiebert hopes that future Bethel students continue carrying on the BeLonGTo legacy and eventually build it up to be a top group on the Bethel campus.
But Hiebert isn’t the only one that wishes to bring more diversity to Bethel and its students.
“I love coming to events like this… seeing the reactions of the students every time we come is what I love,” said Jackson when asked what their favorite part of doing drag is. “Performing, that’s the art.”
As for drag queen Juju Noir, “Being able to go out and perform for those students who might see themselves in me really sparks that creativity and passion back up for me.”
Aside from counting as convo credit, I truly believe that this show is a wonderful opportunity for students to see and familiarize themselves with diversity through a creative performing outlet. As someone who has seen four drag shows now, it is always a wonderful experience to see members of the LGBTQIA+ freely express themselves in beautiful ways–– especially when audience members have a chance to participate as well.
BeLonGTo plans on hosting a drag bingo night and another drag show later in the school year.