Costume Character King Chad Rangoon has got us fully gooped this April.
Thotyssey: Chad, hello! Happy Easter! Any bunny or bonnet looks planned for today?
Chad Rangoon: Lol, that’d be fun! Sadly, unlike Jesus, Bonnie is not risen and he will not be coming twice… at least not today.
Yes, you actually have an onstage rabbit character, along with other creatures you portray through various full body costumes! How might you overall describe what this brand of stage performance is that you’re serving?
“Lack of boundaries.” Just kidding! Uhhh… I would say unhinged funhouse mirror reflection of pop culture drag. I like storytelling parts of my life through characters I think the audience will recognize and enjoy. I also just love bold visuals (I was a graphic designer for over 10 years) and indulge in the makeup, costume and prop aspects. I took BAX’s drag class taught by Theydy Bedbug, and I was known as the Prop King. I always have way too much stuff on me.
Where are you from originally, and how did you begin as an overall artist?
I’m from Gaithersburg, MD (301 represent). I have a fine art background, and thought I would become a painter. But my parents were like, “you need to make money,” so I majored in graphic design.
And how did you come to find yourself amongst the drag creatures of Brooklyn nightlife?
I saw Paris is Burning and Rocky Horror as a young kid, and like immediately became obsessed with the whole artistry and pushing gender boundaries. I went to drag shows in college in DC, and experimented a lot with drag queen makeup. This is def gonna age me, but when RuPaul’s Drag Race was announced on Logo TV back in 2009, I basically lost my mind. But I didn’t think I could ever do drag because I was born with a vagina.
Side note: back then there wasn’t really much out there as far as makeup tutorials, especially for hooded eyes… so I basically invented how to do a cut crease on hooded eyes 15 years ago!
Last thing I’ll say is, I wasnt aware of drag kings and things as a Thing until a couple years ago when I met Tuna Melt at “Transcendance” in Astoria. Blew my fucking mind.
Presenting gender expression in drag has really come a long way. Do you think that the definition of what drag is has changed along with it? Is it no longer about exaggerated gender looks and more about creating generally hyper-expressive characters?
Haha, that is definitely a subject of much debate. I think drag is generally about doing whatever the fuck you want, and it’s one of the least pretentious ways to do art. I think it’s expression meant to liberate yourself. The lines between drag, clown and burlesque are blurring, and I think that’s so amazing. The follow up questions about what audiences expect / pay for is another thing, though.
And honestly, I love the directness about money in drag. More than many other art forms, drag is so directly like “I am going to perform for you and you are going to put money in my hand for it,” which has to do with the legacy of drag itself. But I’m gonna trail off here…
If someone’s putting butts in seats, they require compensation! Can you describe some of your stage characters for us, or maybe some of the numbers where you’re in these handmade costumes?
Yeah! So my Teenage Dirtbag character is inspired by me starting on testosterone at that time, and by my autistic urge to interpret things literally! I felt and still do feel like a teen boi inside, and all of that energy and awkwardness within my body. So I decided to do a reveal of literally being a bag of dirt, which I made with spray foam and moss and gummy worms and it was SO dirty.
The Manchild character is also a literal interpretation – this bratty femme character being frustrated by a manchild but then discovering they are a literal man child wearing a diaper. And then actually celebrating that feeling of no thoughts, just having one single himbo brain cell.
And then Bonnie is based off Five Nights at Freddies. I chose him because I already did a bunny-ish character in my Labubu number, and then learning the lore where it’s a little boy trapped in an animatronic and forced to perform to please others feels like a pretty trans allegory to me. That really made me stretch my prop making skills because I made the mask, ears and guitar all from foam and air dry clay. That was fun, but I literally couldn’t see and barely breathe in it, lol.
You mentioned Tuna Melt earlier, who competed in the first season of King of Drag. It seems that’s coming back for a second season… any interest in trying out for that at some point? How about Dragula??
Ah yeah, I did think about apply to Season 2 of King of Drag! But I wanna hone my skills and experience more. Plus, 3 has been my lucky number lately… so maybe then. And honestly Dragula hasn’t even crossed my mind… so I have as many question marks as your question.
You never know! Let’s discuss some definite places where folks can find you in the coming days and weeks, starting with Monday’s open stage at Icon Astoria hosted by Eden DarkStar and Matzah Belle Soup.
OMG yes, that is going to be so wild. 16+ performers! Where are they even gonna put us!? Also exciting personally cuz I live in Astoria and would hang out at Icon all the time, years before I started drag.
Next up, you’re at C’mon Everybody on Saturday for the popular monthly STR8 to DVD! That’s kind of a rite of passage for Brooklyn drag performers, right?
Yeah I was shocked about that. Like, wait… you guys know I exist? Wild. I’m doing a new number for it! Shoutout to Emma Biche for giving me the idea — should fun and dumb and gender bendy.
Then you’ll be back at C’mon on the 19th for a special showcase presented by alt-drag squad extraordinaire Switch n’ Play: “Noobies,” which showcases new performers on the come-up. That’s a big deal!
Ugh, yeah I’m just. If I think about it too hard, I start to get nervous. I’m like, “I am definitely a noob, and many of those names on that poster…” I’ll just say its an honor. The Switch n’ Play people are so nice; their energy is definitely so welcoming and kind. Plus, super fucking stoked to be performing with my BAX alums Mx. Mommy Issues and Saturdae Sundae!
Looking ahead to 4/24… you’ll be at Red Eye for an event called “A Court of Kings,” produced by hosts Leopard Killa and Jo Goforth. What’s going down there?
Okay, that one is also like, “how TF does Leopard Killa even know me?” That one is going to be a live Dungeons and Dragons playthrough! So, improv roleplay with Xaddy Addy and Stevie Dicks. And since they’re a married couple, I’m like, “am I gonna be their third?” I’m kind of a retired DnD nerd, and even 3D printed my character back in the day… so I’m pretty excited to use some old bits for the stage! I was a bard who played the electric guitar and shredded my enemies through my vicious mockery.
What else is coming up for you?
So l produce events as well with my drag brother Dill Dough King with the intent to platform up and coming AAPI artists. After an incredible Lunar New Year show back in March, I’m super eager to create a space during AAPI Month in May. It will be a different take on an open stage, so stay tuned for that!
Werrrk! Okay, finally: what’s your favorite or most essential item in your drag bag?
Great question. It’s the bag itself, which I bring to every show; it lets me neatly organize everything. I’ve lent out makeup and tools countless times to other performers, simply because I just have it on me. I’ll say the most commonly asked for items are lash glue and scissors. Scissors are handy for every occasion!
Thanks, Chad!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Chad Rangoon’s upcoming appearances, and follow him on Instagram.
Thotyssey 