Their classes on wig maintenance, makeup, performance and sewing are being held at the Factory Fashion art hub in Aurora, which is part of the Aurora-based community arts collective Factory Five Five.Ĭourtesy Jessica Nelson Denver drag queen Diamond Starr at a recent Factory Fashion class they are helping run for teen and tween drag queens. Starr is helping run a series of classes for young queens to learn the ins and outs of drag.
This month, Charney is getting help from Denver drag queen Diamond Starr, who has been performing in the city for 18 years. “I was able to use drag as a toolbox to be able to become who I want to be.”Ĭharney, who is also majoring in theater in the Denver School of the Arts, is always looking to push their work forward. “Since I’m nonbinary, I kind of started drag as my gender journey,” Charney recently told KUNC’s Erin O’Toole on Colorado Edition. Charney rocked the costume, and a few short weeks later, they signed up to give a drag performance at their school talent show. They realized a Halloween drag queen costume was the perfect excuse.Ĭharney’s mom bought them the garment and shoes. The birth of Viola Eccentra, 15-year-old Sam Charney’s drag persona, happened in seventh grade.Ĭharney had been looking for an opportunity to wear a dress and heels.
