All the student drag performers join the stage alongside headliner Raja Gemini at Drop of Drag 2025.
Lights, camera, werk! Hofstra University’s annual Drop of Drag show returned to campus for the third year with appearances from student drag performers and special guest Raja Gemini, Season 3 winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Students gathered in the John Crawford Adams Playhouse on Wednesday, April 30, to witness this fun, flamboyant and philanthropic event. Attendees were asked to donate a minimum of one dollar upon entry. All the donations and proceeds will be going to the Northwell Health Physician Partners LGBTQ Transgender Program.
“I wanted to do something that was specifically for local [transgender] people, because I think of the LGBTQ community, that’s the group of people who are under the most attack right now,” said Bastion Hamilton, executive producer of Drop of Drag and sophomore television and business major. “So, I really wanted to do something to specifically support them.”
Months of preparation went into the event. From costumes to makeup, set design to production, performances to choreography, the Drop of Drag team did it all with one goal in mind: to cultivate an accepting and open environment.
“The Queer energy is beautiful here,” said Parker “Crash Bandic**t” Rosenbaum, performer and junior psychology major.
Each performer took the stage to tell their own unique story following the night’s theme of “prom.” The student performances ranged from traditional lip-syncing to strictly dancing to using their voices to wow the audience. Despite the differences in each performer’s approach to the stage, each performance – Raja’s included – had two things in common: heart and dedication. Many of the performers and members of the crew are a part of the LGBTQ+ community and view events like these as integral to spreading the art form and message of drag.
“In a climate like this where drag performers and Queer people of all kinds are being so heavily targeted, having a space where Queer people can be visible and comfortable and just really, really seen on a stage is just so utterly important,” said Jay Esler, creative director and sophomore double majoring in film and English. “We’re living in these, like, truly harrowing kinds of times for that community, and so having an event that is celebrating inclusion and celebrating a really big part of Queer culture and Queer identity is just an incredible comfort … It’s really nice to see yourself represented.”
“[For me, Drop of Drag] is more about having a creative outlet and being able to show my Queer side more,” said Melissa “Ms. Kisya” R., performer and sophomore speech pathology major.
After three student performances, Raja made her way to center stage in a floor-length gold gown and, with cheers from the nearly 500 attendees, kicked off her first performance of the night. For Raja, attending the event went beyond the glitz and the glamour of the performances, she also viewed the show as a way to spread wisdom to a younger generation of drag.
“I think coming to universities is so important because I’m now at that age and at a time in my life where I am now a mentor,” Raja said. “I’m available, I’m available to share [my experiences] … because I think what we’re experiencing now is not necessarily new, it’s just new to the generation that exists. So, I’m here to help them.”
After over an hour of divas, death drops and dazzling lip syncs, the crowd was electric and clearly wanting more. Luckily for them, Raja delivered by returning to the stage for a second performance and a question and answer (Q&A) session. Living for every sequin-studded second, audience members flocked to the microphone to ask Raja questions on topics ranging from her clothing to her time in drag.
Throughout her Q&A session, Raja effortlessly embodied the message that she and the Drop of Drag crew were trying to convey through the event: Drag is family. On stage, she spoke about her experience with self-acceptance, gave advice to the younger queens in the audience and spoke of the brilliance of drag, all the while connecting with each person who asked a question. The audience and Raja laughed together and cried together, as one.
One audience member expressed their discomfort and worries surrounding the current political climate.
“We will get through this,” Raja said. “We are family … I’ve gone through this. We will get through this, but it does not happen without a fight … In this world today, in this conversation, do not act weak and cowardly and don’t walk around it. Walk around with strength. Walk around with posture. Walk around with absolute belief in who you are. Let’s start there.”
One performer spoke about drag as an art form, a form of expression and an outlet for repressed emotions.
“Drag is so, so important as an art form because it is so unique, it can do so many things,” said Chris “Tiffany Problem” Custer, performer and junior drama major. “There are drag queens that sing live, there are drag queens that act in movies and plays and musicals. There are drag queens that just like to use fashion to really express themselves, and I think it’s such a broad and completely free way to express yourself in art, and I think that’s so incredibly important.”
Drop of Drag was able to portray each of these elements while still making sure to spread its own message of inclusivity and acceptance.
“[Drop of Drag] is really a way to showcase the local student talent we have here,” Hamilton said. “I think it’s a way for people to reclaim identities that they were not allowed to have for a while, and to showcase how dramatic and entirely oneself you can be, especially when performing.”
Raja left the audience to think about the true meaning of art as well as her own interpretation of the word.
“Art is something that you do with your soul,” Raja said. “Art is something you do with rebellion … art is doing, art is being, art is living, art is suffering.”
