EROS Hosts Trinity College’s First Amateur Drag Show

Jules Bourbeau ’25

Managing Editor

On March 28, Encouraging Respect of Sexualities (EROS) put on Trinity College’s first amateur drag show in the Washington Room of Mather Hall. Although the performance was intended to garner excitement for the organization’s upcoming professional drag show on April 25, the amateur version was a spectacle in itself. The two monster-themed hosts of the event were EROS Vice President Aaron Kowals ’25 and EROS President Lynn Cheng ’26 in the guise of the werewolf Lycan-Trope and vampire Saint Stoker, respectively. 

The first to take to the stage was Claire Brouillard ’25 under the name Cato Sinclair. To the sound of Billy Idol’s “Rebel Yell,” Sinclair stalked across every inch of the T-shaped stage platform. He danced with a sensuousness that could not fail to catch every eye, and even more so when he pulled out twin fans with great lengths of red fabric flowing from them like streaks of fire. Sinclair’s physicality was undoubtedly impressive, especially the multiple drops leading up to the song’s finale.

Saint Stoker stepped up next, performing to “Oleander” by Mother Mother. What began as campy sorrow quickly morphed into total hysterics, much like a mourning Victorian widow, as Saint Stoker tore open his long, dark cloak to reveal an intricate handmade shirt consisting of a heart-shaped cutout in the center with beaded veins branching out from it. Their ability to capture devastating emotion while still keeping an atmosphere of fun is a testament to Saint Stoker’s range and ability. 

Lycan-Trope followed, beginning his performance lying on the ground as the opening notes of “For the Departed” by Shayfer James started up. The energy ramped up gradually as he danced a waltz with a small skeleton. As the performance went on, Lycan-Trope ripped off multiple layers of shirts, showcasing his werewolf chest hair and, eventually, a delightfully cheesy wolf shirt reading “I’M AFRAID OF WOMEN.” As the song reached its crescendo, he appeared to transform, and rampaged among the crowd like a wild dog before pulling a member from the audience and spinning her around.

Luca Lavender, played by Makayla Hart, next strut onstage accompanied by Bruno Mars’ “Runaway Baby.” Lavender was a true heartbreaker, quaking the stage floor with their massive heeled boots. They worked intently with the crowd, feeling their energy and responding in turn with sly glances and the occasional blown kiss. The audience absolutely erupted at their ending reveal, in which he removed his dress shirt showing a shiny corset.

Last but not least there was Ivy Drips, performed by EROS’ first-year representative, Ainsley Ralph ’28. In a lengthy lab coat and enormous wig, Ivy danced an impeccably choreographed version of “Disease” by Lady Gaga. Each movement was cleverly chosen, from praying hands to keeling over as if they had been poisoned. They truly captured the aggressive and eclectic tone of the song.

Finally, the audience was invited to vote for their favorite performers, and the top two drag artists would be pitted against each other in a lip sync battle to Pat Benatar’s “Heartbreaker.” The matchup was Cato Sinclair versus Luca Lavender, and the competition was fierce. However, thanks to Sinclair’s seemingly endless energy and dizzying headbanging, he took home the crown as the first drag king of Trinity College.