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Cross Dressing Traditions in USA Universities
Good afternoon to all on TGR,
SSSSIIIIGGGGHHHH`!!
Sadly I was never smart enough to go to Uni, nor is the “good ol USA” one of my favorite countries on this mortal coil. Especially with THAT new “CEO” in charge!!!
But if the above 2 “terms and conditions” did not apply, I think It would have been great to have gone to places like Harvard, Princeton or The University of Wisconsin.
Why????
Cos they all have, (or had in the case of Wisconsin), centuries old traditions of running all male shows!!
Like these
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SM7o55RFJEg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq5APwfeJqc
https://www.flickr.com/photos/23327394@N05/sets/72157618400893967/
There’s a “stack” more videos and stories on line if you look hard enough and oh I almost forgot, one more “T &C”.
Those “girls” in the “chorus kick lines” would not only be a lot fitter than me, but also I cant dance for nuts.
So it all stays where it started, as “wishful thinking”.
Also, along these lines they have a number of Gay Mens Choruses in the USA, principally from Chicago that run these types of shows, plus in Atlanta, there used to be an annual ball to raise funds for AIDS, where most of the men present dressed in fabulous evening gowns and were made up and coiffed to the hilt.
Oh to be able to be there and dressed like that.!
Sorry about the drastically long link, happy dressing (and chorus kicking)
Caty
PS At least with Hasty Pudding, it seems that at least three or four former “USA CEO”S” have been members. One can only wonder open mouthed, what the current “CEO” would think of this!!!
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7 Replies
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The Hasty Pudding Club Theatricals, of Harvard, is one of the oldest college institutions in the USA. 1795.The theatricals started in 1844 (I had to Google that). Most of my details came from a dear friend living in Tasmania who had piles of research papers on the subject, but I was actually surprised and pleased to find out I could help her in this.
The tradition of female impersonation was as we know well established in the UK on the legitimate stage and the likes of music hall before it crossed the Atlantic and other oceans.. -
Well researched Clare…
And as you and a few others know, Caty is one for trying to be a l”ady of the past”, so all those crinolines in the Princeton Triangle video clip really “hit the right note” with me!
Regards
Caty
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I am envious of Caty’s period costumes and would love to experience dressing in period costume. Maybe one day.
Reflecting back to my time at University I was so into hiding my disphoria that I missed many golden opportunities I would take up if had the opportunity now. I remember the Rocky Horror picture show at the Enmore theatre in the early 70’s when everyone would go dressed and repeat the dialogue word for word. I just went drab but they were still great nights.
These are different and more tolerant times than when I was growing up in the country.
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Ahhh yes I have always loved the Rocky Horror Picture Show nights. I recall going to one many years ago in full Dr Frank n Furter Regalia. The girl I was seeing at the time was quite the one for pushing boundaries. I resisted at first probably because I didn’t want to reveal just how excitable I was at getting dressed up but after a decent amount of persuading finally relented. So Dr Frank and Janet toddled off to a live show in StKilda
Many many years ago and had actually forgotten all about ti until this post
Ahhh but if only I could still fit in to that costume
Sighs
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Hi Glenda
Buy another one
Juliette
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Thank you Caty. That’s very interesting, especially as I had no idea this happened at such prestigious universities. Quite an eye-opener!
I did work at a Thai university once where there were several cross-dressing students, both male and female. But I don’t recall seeing them perform in any shows like the ones you have portrayed here.
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it would be interesting to know if they are officially given an undergrad in Drag or Major in Theatre
