Draggin’ Role

It was difficult to refrain from telling my friends too much about my appearance in the Oak Ridge Civic Ballet Association’s Spring production. I wanted them to be surprised when I walked on stage in drag.

Dr. Brandon Cottrell and I played Cinderella’s very ugly stepsisters. Brian Swail played the evil stepmother. Having three male stooges play those roles is an ORCBA tradition. Meredith Graves played Cinderella during the matinee. Sarah Jett danced the role in the evening performance. Taylor Gober played Prince Charming in both shows.

One of my friends thought I looked like Bugs Bunny. I actually had Milton Berle in mind. There are similarities between Bugs and Milton when they are playing women.

At one rehearsal, a few of the ballerinas suggested that I not shave my neck. As you can see below in the photos provided by Christine Parks Cheney, my neck beard added to the comedy. Because of my mustache, I had to purse my lips for the lipstick to be seen. It made me look like I had just smelled something foul.

Fortunately, dancing skill was not a requirement for the part. Brandon and I were to fight with each other and with Cinderella in the first scene. Once we got to the ball, Brandon and I mocked the real dancers, even sneaking in a little bit of the “Gangnam Style” dance.