As a long-time theater/improv actor and spoken word poet, dancing, acting, and performing has always been a passion of mine! In 2019, designer and collaborator Christina Coobatis and I created a queer burlesque and drag troupe on a whim after a night out at a drag show on the premise that anyone of any identity could join our troupe, and needed no experience to join. Smoke & Queers Burlesque and Drag Troupe has become bigger than we could've imagined, and we've performed at spectacular venues all over town including The Woodward Theater, Liberty Exhibition Hall, and the Weston Art Gallery. We've revived the only Drag King Night in Cincinnati, and have recruited performers from Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and beyond. As a budding queer performance art collective and nonprofit, we do more than just perform - we create community events, host workshops, work with other art organizations, and are committed to compensating and celebrating LGBTQIA+ artists and crew generously. Check out the website or our social media accounts!