Globally revered drag icons and Boston Conservatory alums Jan Sport (BFA '15, musical theater) and Marcia Marcia Marcia (BFA '18, musical theater) will judge the inaugural CON*SERVE*ATORY: The Haus of BoCo Ball, presented by Berklee’s Black Student Alliance (BSA). Join as we celebrate ball culture—a distinctly LGBTQ+, largely Black and Latine cultural phenomenon, which had its heyday in New York City in the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s, but is enjoying a cultural resurgence. Participants will compete in different categories and receive feedback from two of the most sought-after artists in the drag world today. Please see below for bios of our wonderful guests—stars from the RuPaul’s Drag Race franchise and highly accomplished musical theater artists across Broadway and the West End.
While neither of our guests is BIPOC, coproducers from the BSA proudly acknowledge that both drag and ball history are Black history. Therefore, putting these art forms on a pedestal innately uplifts both queer and Black cultures.
Be advised that performances may include strong language and partial nudity.
Program InformationAbout the Artists
Jan Sport is the girl next door plus so much more! Known for her clever mixes, devastating beauty, and exceptional voice, Jan is a one-stop shop for entertainment in drag. Jan’s big rise to stardom happened as a contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars season six, after her appearance on RuPaul’s Drag Race season 12! However, Jan is no stranger to television. She has been seen on NBC’s The Voice as featured talent alongside Jessie J, as well as America’s Got Talent. Aside from her TV appearances, Jan has collaborated with her namesake, “JanSport,” on a mini backpack and fanny pack, as well as singing the National Anthem for NYCFC at Yankee Stadium and for the New York Mets at Citi Field. She recently finished her run off-Broadway in Drag: The Musical and her West End debut as Oscar in Oscar at the Crown. Follow her journey on Instagram at @janjanjan and Tik Tok @jansportnyc12.
Marcia Marcia Marcia/Marty Lauter was a student of the Boston Conservatory’s BFA in musical theater program (2014–2018), and was featured on RuPaul’s Drag Race in season 15. Since graduation, their career has spanned the worlds of drag, theater, film, television, concert work and content creation. Notable highlights include their iconic “Boss Bitch” lipsync on season 15, Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club on Broadway (as Victor, the Emcee), and their new film Stop! That! Train!, directed by Adam Shankman, being released in theaters this May. They are thrilled to be back at BoCo with all of you today, to share what they’ve learned over the last eight years about “dragging” their degree.
Production Credit
PRODUCTION STAFF:
CON*SERVE*ATORY: The Haus of BoCo Ball is a coproduction of the Berklee Black Student Association and the Green Room Committee.
CONCERT SERVICES STAFF:
Assistant Director, Concert Services – Luis Herrera
Coordinator, Concert Services – Matthew Carey
Concert Production Manager – Kendall Floyd
Performance Technology Technicians – Sara Pagiaro, Goran Daskalov
Special Thanks
Josh Griffin and the Berklee Black Student Association
Dennis Trainor and the Green Room Committee
Krisha Marcano
Ricardo Coke-Thomas
Bridgette Hayes
Boston Conservatory thanks audience members for viewing this program information online. This paperless program saved 200 sheets of paper, 21 gallons of water, and 18 pounds of CO2-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions.
