When Colin Baker (they/them) started at Utah Valley University as a musical theater student in 2020, they had their sights set on stage productions and Broadway shows, unaware of the glitzy and glamorous drag scene. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic-induced lockdowns the following summer, they fell down a veritable rabbit hole of drag. “Drag was always there in the background,” they said in an interview, “but it wasn’t until the summer of 2020 that I truly fell in love with it.”

It was with this priority in mind that Baker started as a film and media arts (FMA) major at the University of Utah in 2022. It was a rough time to be a college student at a new school. The COVID-19 pandemic had all but shut down in-person collegiate programs (like theater) and shuttered many of the social activities that make campus life fun. Throughout that first year and into 2023, drag was steadily taking over Baker’s life. “The more I studied, the more I realized what I was really interested in was learning more about drag.”

Baker was still an FMA major when they had the chance to take GNDR 3573: Queer Representation in Media with gender studies Associate Professor Kim Hackford-Peer (they/them). Towards the end of the spring 2023 semester, that class held a drag day. “I saw a light at the end of the tunnel that day,” said Baker. “I remember staying after class to tell Dr. Hackford-Peer how amazing that lesson was.” Little did Baker know where that comment would lead.

That fall, Dr. Hackford-Peer recommended that Baker take GNDR 5750: Queer Pedagogies, where Baker would have the opportunity to shape the curriculum for the next iteration of the GNDR 3573: Queer Representation in Media. These companion courses are unique in that the course material is continually being updated. “The thing about having students help teach Queer Rep is it helps the subject matter stay fresh and relevant every time,” Baker pointed out. Dr. Hackford-Peer invited Baker into the course so Baker could gain experience as an academic facilitator and assume a leadership role in the classroom. Dr. Hackford-Peer also wanted Baker to have a space to think about the pedagogical implications of their work as a drag artist and show producer. “I wanted Baker to be able to approach their work from a place of praxis,” Dr. Hackford-Peer said. “Not only the performance, but also the theory, history, and community aspects that could accompany a show. Students learn about these things in classes, but the shows Baker worked on this year bring those to life in a way that expands learning beyond the classroom.”

Throughout the facilitation of Queer Rep (GNDR 3573) in Spring 2024, Baker had the opportunity to bring their drag persona into the classroom, even teaching in drag for a week. That experience, combined with the shifting legislative landscape that year, gave them the confidence necessary to team up with Dr. Hackford-Peer again. Last semester, and as an official gender studies major, Baker worked with Dr. Hackford-Peer as a student intern with the goal of putting on two drag shows on campus this academic year. The first of these campus drag shows, held last October, went quite well. A star cast of local performers, paired with a gender studies academic panel after the performances, made the Union Saltair Room a sight (and din) to behold. It’s not just the sensory ambience of drag shows that make them so entertaining, however. In Baker’s view, the best part of drag is “the sheer joy of it all.”

That emotion will be put to work again during the second drag show put on by Baker and crew this spring. This year, the Joy & Fury teach-in will include a drag show, held on March 27, 2025 from 6:30 – 9 pm in the Union Ballroom (doors open at 6 pm). Baker’s facilitation of the drag shows have led them to change their career prospects: “I now want to teach music, plan events, and do drag when I graduate!” said Baker.

At the show, Baker wants every audience member to have a good time and vibe. After all, drag is rooted in community connection. “Drag artists entertain, but it’s about more than that. They also bring people together during times of darkness. We are the entertainers, the storytellers, the ones who speak up. I hope the takeaway from Joy & Fury is that drag matters and has value,” said Baker. “Joy and music are both crucial elements of this show. I want people to have a good time and see how positive and enthusiastic drag can be. My goal is to have people come and be enthralled with good emotions. No matter what kind of day they had, I want them to leave having had a fun night.”

As for their advice to students interested in going further in their academic journey (or perhaps studying drag themselves), Baker suggests those answers can be found within. “I trusted in my passions to get where I am today. Transform’s programs enabled me to combine my passion with pedagogy. If you find your passions, follow them. They just might lead you to transformative places.”

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Other events in the second annual Joy & Fury series include a craftivist-centered teach-in and reception on the theme “Threads of Resistance” hosted by Shannon Downey (@BadassCrossStitch) on Monday, March 31, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm in the Gould Auditorium of the Marriott Library.