They came late to the art of drag, but Mx. Bee, the multitalented Mx. Alphabet City Laughs hopeful, is currently stinging the moment!
Thotyssey: Mx Bee, hello! Thanks for finding a moment to chat during this busy time of pageant prep! Are you enjoying putting your package together, or is it too stressful?
Mx. Bee: It’s a labor of love! I’m no stranger to performing, but making my own outfits is a newer skill for me — one I’m definitely enjoying figuring out as I go along.
Is there an item you’ve made so far that’s your favorite?
I don’t want to give it away since it’s for our runway reveal category… but I’m gonna look good enough to eat!
Delicious! How long have you been doing drag now?
Technically twenty years, because the first time I played a woman on stage was at 17 in a scene for my high school drama class. Performing gender has been part of my actor’s toolbox ever since. But I didn’t start actively pursuing drag gigs in the traditional sense until the beginning of this year.
Where’s your original hometown, and how long has theater been a part of your life?
I’m originally from a small city in Central Florida, where I grew up on five acres in the woods with horses, chickens, etc. I started acting in community theatre and singing in a children’s choir at age eight, started dance lessons at ten, and spent four years earning a BFA in musical theatre at UCF in Orlando.
Did you come to NYC to pursue Broadway?
I moved here in 2012 right after my first national tour playing the Lion in the RSC version of The Wizard of Oz. I’ve done another tour since then (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast), and I definitely still have Broadway dreams (I even wrote my own musical). But I also knew there was nowhere else I wanted to live from the first time I visited in 2005.
Is there a particular story behind your drag name?
I originally went by “Capital B,” but realized that name was already being used by a few different people and groups. I decided on Mx. Bee because it puts my non-binary identity up front. Plus it reminds me of how I would address my teachers as a kid in the south, and I’m clearly here to teach a lesson or two.
As a queen who started drag later in life than the average performer, is it fun or weird that your fellow newer performers are wide eyed youngins‘, lol?‘
When I got serious about improving my dance skills at the age of 17, I started taking ballet class with a bunch of 10 and 11 year-old girls. I’ve always been a late bloomer, but age comes with experience… and that’s an advantage, because I know exactly who I am at this point.
Well said! You’ve done a few shows with Daniel Gold and their Leg Up On Life showcases at Industry. What was that experience like?
Working with Daniel is always an absolute joy! We’ve known each other for over a decade, and they are one of the kindest people I know.
So you’ve made it to the finale of Mx. Alphabet City Laughs, a multi-week pageant you’ve been competing in! We can see your final package at Young Ethel’s in Brooklyn on September 18th, hosted by Crystal Marie Tyler and Mz Nancy.
Yes! I competed last month in the first of two preliminary rounds, and was chosen as one of the eight finalists. Now we’re gonna battle it out for the crown on the 18th! This is the first ever Mx. Alphabet City Laughs pageant, and to me it’s all about building community, sharing queer joy, and daring to laugh in the midst of chaos. You can expect a good group of people ready to show you a good time!
What else is going on with you?
I’m just focused on the pageant at the moment, but hopefully soon you can come see me do one of the hosting gigs that come with the crown!
That would be amazing! Okay lastly: what’s the most essential item in your drag bag?
I am terrible at applying them, but I will say false eyelashes. Doesn’t matter how much makeup I have on, it just doesn’t say “drag” without a lash.
Lash out! Thanks, Mx. Bee!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Mx. Bee’s upcoming appearances, and follow them on Instagram and TikTok.
Thotyssey 