4
BROOKLYN WEEKLY, OCTOBER 13, 2019
BY AIDAN GRAHAM
A Park Slope theater class
is inviting youngsters to
don gender-bending costumes
and perform on
stage as characters of the
opposite sex on Nov. 7.
The event at Brooklyn
Arts Exchange on Fifth
Avenue, dubbed “Drag
Performance Workshop,”
is designed as a fun, playful
way to introduce children
to the complex issues
surrounding gender
identity, according to an
organizer.
“We’re using theater
and performance as a vehicle
to explore important
issues of identity,”
said Lucia Scheckner.
“By participating in this
workshop, and by trying
on a notion of gender that
is more fluid than the
traditional ‘male and female’
— you start to actually
understand these issues
more.”
At the workshop, the
kids will learn the insand
outs of theater-based
drag, including acting
classes, makeup tutorials,
and dance instructions
to ensure they look
— and feel — like members
of the opposite sex,
according to Scheckner.
“There’ll be dance activities
as well — figuring
out how you’re going
to be in your body as a
character,” she said. “It’s
a chance for kids to move
around to different songs
and feel liberated in their
bodies.”
Children ages eightand
up can attend the
workshop without a parent,
and younger Brooklynites
can attend with a
guardian — where they
will learn and engage
in a variety of activities
centered around gender
f luidity, said Scheckner.
“It will begin with an
introductory ice-breaking
experience, that will
transition into...actually
creating content with
each other,” she said.
“And then, there’ll be
group work and a period
of performance and reflection.”
Scheckner expects between
20 and 25 people —
including both children
and parents — to attend
the workshop, where
thespians young and old
will gain a more in-depth
understanding of gender
roles than they would by
attending some stodgy
lecture.
“A lot of the time in
schools...it might be more
like a town hall, or an instructive
experience,” she
said. “This is more creative
and exploratory.”
The progressive theater
class follows the rise of
Kings County drag kid
Desmond Napoles, 11,
who made headlines in
December after preforming
at Meserole Street
gay bar 3 Dollar Bill in
Williamsburg.
That appearance
sparked intense controversy
from conservative
and pro-life news sites,
and Napoles’ family was
subsequently bombarded
with death threats and
forced to endure months
of drop-in visits from social
workers .
Scheckner said she
understands the possibility
of backlash from some
less open-minded community
members — even
in the comparatively liberal
Park Slope — but
so far the reception has
been positive.
“There may be people
who are upset by it, and
I guess we’ll deal with
that,” she said. “As of now
we haven’t received any
controversial remarks.”
“Drag Performance
Workshop” at the Brooklyn
Arts Exchange 421
Fifth Ave. near Eighth
Street in Park Slope.
www.yout h .ba x.or g /
home. Nov. 7 at 5:30 pm.
$5–$25.
Kelindah Schuster will facilitate
the “Drag Performance Workshop”
on Nov. 7. BAX
Children will learn about the cultural history of drag as they perform
dances and lip sync. BAX
DRAG FOR KIDS
Park Slope theater organization hosts
‘Drag Performance Workshop’ for children
Pawn Trades | Jewelry Buyers (We Will Pay Immediate Cash) | Bring in your Jewelry Furniture, Old coins & More
CASH FOR
YOUR GOLD
Turn your jewelry box into a cash machine...
WE
We’ll pay top dollar on the spot for your unwanted or broken gold
jewelry and scrap gold, no appointment necessary!
BUY
PAWN
SELL
WE DO
APPRAISALS
(alex_sh62)
Jewelry
Diamonds
Antiques
Gold
Coins
Sterling Silver
Platinum
Watches
WE MAKE HOUSE CALLS! PAY CASH IMMEDIATELY!
If you have any inquiries concerning buying,
selling or appraisal contact our expert:
at (718) 942-5693, (718) 627-1514
WE DO
REPAIRS
OPEN 6 Days 11am
Closed Saturday
WE SPEAK
RUSSIAN & HEBREW
A.S. & Son’s
2015 CONEY ISLAND AVE.
(bet. Quentin Road and Ave. P)
Brooklyn, NY 11223
718-942-5693 ALEX & 718-627-1514
jewelryexcorp@gmail.com
www.jewelryex.info
WE ACCEPT
ORDERS FOR
Engagement
Rings
$AVE
facebook.com/jewelryex @jewelryexcorp
spend $50
get
$10 off your purchase
Spend $100
& get $20 off;
Spend $200
& get $40 off;
Spend $300
& get $60 off
Valid on in-store purchases only. Your discount will be deducted
at time of purchase. Cannot be combined with any other
discount, coupon or promotion. Coupon must be presented
prior to purchase. Offer expires December 31, 2019
/www.yout
link
/www.jewelryex.info
/schools...it
/www.yout
/www.jewelryex.info
/jewelryex
link