While there may be drama on talent shows all over television, Ohio University’s Little Monsters are presenting a show with a little more heart.
The organization — along with Ally, Open Doors, PAGE and several other LGBT-friendly organizations on campus — will host “LGBTQA Think You Got Talent? Variety Show” at Baker University Center Theater Thursday.
The show marks a milestone because it is the first time that all the LGBT organizations on campus have joined together to sponsor an event, said Sarah Chadwell, one of the organizers of the event and a junior studying international studies.
“This is going to be a really awesome experience as all the LGBTA groups get to come together and celebrate a community that in the past has mostly been divided,” Chadwell said.
With over a dozen performers, the show will feature different acts from bands to poets.
Hannah Stanton-Gockel, a junior studying women’s and gender studies and Spanish, will perform an act she has been practicing for more than years — the hoop. Stanton-Gockel said that she has been putting in extra practice for this performance.
“For this show, I really wanted to present some new difficult tricks, and a cohesive dance routine,” she said. “I've spent a lot of time stretching each day, physically preparing my body and practicing the tricks and overall routine.”
In traditional variety show style, there will also be music acts including Quenna Stewart, a junior studying organizational communication. Stewart will perform a song by Adele, which she will both sing and play on piano.
“I picked it because I really try to perform a song I feel fits my voice as well as makes me feel a certain way so I can put feeling into it,” Stewart said.
The show will be hosted by drag queens Sami Sparxx and Ferocia Coutura. Amelia Shaw, the LGBT Commissioner on Student Senate; Nancy Bauer, the LGBT Center graduate assistant; Lacey Rodgers, an OU alumna; and Cathi George, off-campus life senator on Student Senate, will all judge the show, selecting one winner who will receive a Chipotle gift card.
A portion of the proceeds will be split between several organizations and charities, which will be decided upon later.
Most of the money raised, however, will allow twenty students to attend the Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Ally College Conference, an annual gathering covering issues related to the LGBTIQQA community. This will also allow four students to present workshops at the conference.
“While the LGBTA Center is assisting with half of the cost for each student to attend MBLGTACC this year, collectively the participants have been fundraising to cover their half,” said Mickey Hart, director of the LGBTA Center. “The variety show will help them in getting closer to their goal.”
ks574510@ohiou.edu
If You Go
What: LGBTQA Think You Got Talent? Variety Show
When: 8 p.m. Thursday
Where: Baker University Center Theater
