André Van Angst
UMN’s Next Drag Superstar 2019
Drag Scene!
Queens & Kings of the Twin Cities
March 15, 2023
How long have you been on the drag scene?
I started performing in 2019, took two years off during the height of the pandemic, and have been back since last summer. I’ve really hit the ground running these past several months, finding so many great opportunities and being inspired every day to grow.
What does the term “drag” mean to you?
To me, drag is fucking with gender and making art. I come from a theatre background and have witnessed and participated in a wide variety of performance. For me, what sets drag apart from other kinds of performance is how unique, expansive, and inescapably queer it is. Drag can be anything from dance to comedy to politics to high fashion, it can be filled to the brim with gender or completely void of it, and every bit of it is still drag. From centuries of performers messing with gender on stage, to evenings in predominantly Black and POC ballrooms, to national pageants, to internationally televised competitions, to story times in libraries, drag is this beautifully malleable art form whose only constant is that it is intrinsically queer. How incredible it is that we get to have this.
How do you separate your “dual identity”?
André is charming, sexy, flamboyant, confident, all the things I wish I were in my real life. I get to play a part that is so far from how I was raised or how the world views me: this cocky caricature of masculinity that I only get to experience when I paint it on. Out of drag, I knit and play Minecraft and teach drama classes to children and drink so much tea. And I don’t always get to be out and proud. It’s relieving to have an artistic outlet to channel things I’m missing in my day-to-day life, to have a space where I am so loudly queer and celebrated for it.
Who is your “go-to” artist?
I love to tell a story with every number I do, so I wouldn’t say I have any specific “go-to” artists, more like a rotation of stories and vibes. I’ll shake my ass to some country songs, get in my feels with some pop punk, or get weird with some Bo Burnham. You never really know what you’re gonna get, so I guess you’ll just have to come see me perform!
Greatest performing moment?
Before I made my come-back last summer, I got the itch to make costume pieces, as I’m sure every drag artist can relate to. I dug through some old clothes I hadn’t worn in years, looking for inspiration. With no real direction or plans I grabbed a pair of old denim shorts and asked myself, “What if I cut the ass out of these?” Two weeks later I was in my first show back on stage, doing a ridiculously silly country song, and when I tore off my shirt to reveal those shorts, I swear I could feel the bar shake from the screaming. It was a moment where I knew I wanted to keep going bigger and stupider. Now those shorts have been thoroughly sparkled and that country number is a staple in my repertoire.
Say something nice about one of your fellow performers.
The other drag kings in the cities have been so incredibly kind, welcoming, supportive, and of course talented as hell. We have a rich community of kings here that’s growing every day. In particular, I want to shout out Quinn Tessential, Pippin Panic, and Suture Fancy for being huge inspirations and fast friends.
Any special involvement in the GLBTQ community?
I’m not extremely active in the community outside of drag and generally existing as a queer person. I do my best to support other artists in the cities and am always interested in doing more.
Where in the twin cities can you be seen?
I frequent Wednesdays at the Gay 90's and Thursdays at The Saloon, otherwise keep an eye on my Instagram where I always update folks on where I’m performing next!
What words of wisdom would you have for someone just starting in the drag scene?
Don’t worry about fitting into any kind of box or mold. Of course, always be inspired by other performers (and go support them as much you can). But if you want to do that weird song or make that crazy costume, just do it. You will find the people who love and appreciate you for what makes you unique.
@andrevanangst
Hunky Dory
Strawberry Short King of Minneapolis
Drag Scene!
Queens & Kings of the Twin Cities
March 1, 2023
What does the term “drag” mean to you?
For me drag is an art form and expression. It allows performers to show their inner most selves in one of the most powerful and vulnerable ways. If people have seen me perform they’ve seen parts of me that I was taught or felt like I should push down finally coming to the surface. It also dives into a deeper meaning of gender and how that can be portrayed on different levels. With that being said I think it’s important to remember that drag is for everyone and not just the Queens. It’s for the BIPOC community, Kings, Male entertainers, Female entertainers, trans/non-binary performers and so on and so forth, that come in all shapes and sizes, all from different backgrounds. The best drag is inclusive drag.
How do you separate your “dual identity”?
Hunky was created when I was feeling extremely low in many aspects of my life. I’ve been performing since I was 5 years old and what once felt like a good fit for me, traditional theater wasn’t filling the cup as much as it used to. Learning more about the politics of theater, it pushed me into wanting to perform in my own ways but still as someone else. While Hunky is someone else in my mind (with much more confidence) He has also helped me heal in many different ways, as well as learn new things about myself out of drag. When I think about the dual identity aspect of drag, I feel like Hunky Dory is bits and pieces of my life resurfacing, whether happy or sad, in the best way possible. Hunky is constantly inspiring to push my creative self farther, every day.
Who is your “go-to” artist?
I love when different types of drag can be in the same show and have a good balance of things you would expect vs something a little bit more different. I love drag that is more alternative, punk, campy, full of dance and constantly surprising. There are so many people in the Minneapolis scene that are so great at all of these that I can’t pick just one.
Greatest performing moment?
My greatest performing moment thus far has been my Joker number that I debuted during my first Werk Finale at the Saloon. It was a number that I was so scared to perform because 1) it’s a huge nod to mental health and the stigma surrounding it and 2) I didn’t think the audience would appreciate it as much as I did. Turns out that (from what I could tell) the audience loved it and it is one of the times I felt most comfortable on stage. It just goes to show that with drag you should be putting out the work you want to see from yourself and not just work you think would be a crowd pleaser, because it could turn out to be both in the end.
Say something nice about one of your fellow performers.
Rustina Phoenix-Nuttz is the definition of powerful. There hasn’t been a performance by her where I haven’t been absolutely in awe with the raw emotion and energy that she carries. And performance beside, she is also one of the most loyal and supportive people I’ve ever met.
Any special involvement in the GLBTQ community?
I would love to be more involved within the community. I have just recently started drag and I’m trying to find my footing but if there’s anyway I can be more involved I would love to know!
Where in the Twin Cities can you be seen?
I have quite a few show coming up here soon! Mostly you can catch me at the Saloon for Drag Duels every Sunday with my lovely partner Anne Noying competing for the win! I will also be at Crave with Flip Phone events for the Backstreet Boys Vs. NSYNC drag brunch on March 26th!
What words of wisdom would you have for someone just starting in the Drag Scene?
Don’t wait to start. If you want to do it- Do it. The only way you can get better is by doing. Invest in staples garments and shoes, find the open stages, ask for feedback and filter out the unsolicited “advice” that doesn’t serve you. Go out to the shows! Not only are they fun but the more you show up the more time you have to create relationships with the wonderful performers and people in the scene. And most of all have fun and do it for yourself.
Social pages?
Instagram: @hunkydorydrag
Quinn Tessential
The Minneapolis Manwich
Drag Scene!
Queens & Kings of the Twin Cities
December 07, 2022
How long have you been on the Drag Scene?
Two years
What does the term “drag” mean to you?
Being a drag king is about making parody of the masculine ideal; it is important to be critical of the power held by men in almost all areas of society.
This is true even in queer spaces. The tendency to prioritize audiences of white cis gay men by casting primarily skinny white drag queens over other artists needs to be evaluated. While drag shows are often used as just an excuse to go out with you're friends and party, they are also send a political message about what sort of queer expression is valued. For this reason, I only support shows that regularly feature POC, king, afab, fat, and trans cast members.
How do you separate your “dual identity”?
I started drag after a long dissatisfaction with my experiences in musical theater. I was tired of auditioning for a show and either being out right rejected by directors, or being told to put on a dress and pretend to be a woman in the back of the scene. I created Quinn Tessential so I could have agency over my performances. As a drag artist, you are the performer, director, sound designer, and costume designer of your number, so I created a drag persona that continuously excites me and inspires me to create. Also, it's just a fun, memorable name to perform under!
Who is your “go-to” artist?
I find drag shows the most entertaining when there is a mix of all sorts of artistic styles: glamorous, campy, dance based, horror, etc. This helps the next performer break the audience expectations set by the previous one. Drag is most effective, in my opinion, when multiple artists work together to display the diversity of queer expression, which is why I cannot just pick one person.
Greatest performing moment?
My favorite moments when performing are the moments when my improvisational instincts take over and I do or say something I wouldnt have thought of othereise. An example is when I used a tape measure to make a dick joke and have it extend longer and longer from my crotch. While performing, I realized I didn't plan how to get out of this position, so the tape measure just collapsed to the floor. My instinct was to yell "I'm so embarrassed, that never happens!" And look embarrassed. That is now a permanent part of the performance I do every time.
Say something nice about one of your fellow performers?
Despite the vast difference in our drag styles, I always love seeing Jenna Cis perform. Their looks and physicality are always the perfect mix of eerie and beautiful.
Any special involvement in the GLBTQ community?
I was recently in the cast of La Cage Aux Folles at Lush, where almost the entire production team was part of the LGBTQ community. It was an honor to work with a group of kind and talented individuals to tell a story about chosen family and queer joy.
My DM's are also always open to people interested in learning more about Twin Cities drag.
Where in the Twin Cities can you be seen?
I produce many of my own shows in the metro. I work mostly with breweries such as Urban Growler Brewing Company, Alloy Brewing Company, Forgotten Star Brewing Company, and Sisyphus Brewing. I also am preparing for a Nightmare Before Christmas drag show at The Saloon on December 21st. Lastly, watch out for me at Dragged Out, Gorgeous, and Girl on Girl at the Black Hart!
What words of wisdom would you have for someone just starting in the Drag Scene?
Be kind and humble backstage. Make relationships with artist you respect and learn from them while filtering out unhelpful criticism from others. If you can afford it, go out to all different types of shows and expose yourself to as many different types of drag as possible. Support kings, afab, POC, and alternative drag artists. Lastly, be what you want to see in the Drag Scene, not what you think other people want to see.
Social pages?
Instagram: @qt_drag
Show Production: Qtpresents.ticketleap.com
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