Jack Rabid USofA:MI Prelim Fund
Donation protected
Help this wee little drag king take his show on the road, and show the world just how talented he is! Well... Maybe just the American South for starters. Jack is headed to Mr. Southern States USofA: MI and he needs your help!
Jensen Lee Gibson, also known by their stage name Jack Rabid, found drag three years ago and has not once looked back. Using their talents for performance, makeup, sewing and costume design, Jensen was able to craft Jack into a complete persona who allows them to express their unique point of view through the art of drag. Inspired by a love of pompadours, all things David Bowie, skinny men in slim fit suits and cult classic films of the 70s and 80s, Jack is a drag king who can not only entertain, but does so in a way completely unique and authentic to who Jensen is as a person.
Jensen currently lives and performs as Jack in Nashville, TN, where they also attend Vanderbilt University on a generous scholarship. Drag is their way of letting loose the frustrations and emotions that come along with any college experience, especially one of being queer at a "Southern Ivy," and it has become very important to them. Pageants were a natural next step for Jack after two and a half years of constant growth as a king, and he entered his first pageant, Mr. Genesis at Play Dance Bar, in March of 2014. He placed first runner up. Since that magical experience, Jensen has been eager to experience pageants at the next level, so they might be able to learn from some of the best drag kings in the country, and allow Jack to grow even more. The USofA system allows a perfect opportunity for them to do just that.
First held in 2008, Mister USofA: MI is a pageant for male impersonators ages 21+, and is a part of USofA Pageants, who host the largest female/male impersonation pageant systems in the country. Mister Southern States USofA:MI, held in Little Rock Arkansas, was enstated this year as a direct preliminary to the National pageant, held in Oklahoma City. The winner of the title as well as the first runner up will both win a ticket to Nationals. In order to be competitive for the title, Jack will have to prepare a presentation outfit, a creative evening wear suit, a talent presentation, and complete a 7 minute interview as Jensen. These categories require everything from costuming to props to makeup, and there will be multiple suits involved. The expense of preparing for this alone, needless to say, is strenuous on a student's budget. However, the cost of a pageant is more than just that. There are also registration fees, gas, hotel expenses, food, and compensation for backup dancers to contend with. This is why Jack needs your help.
If you donate to this cause, you will not only have Jensen's undying appreciation, you will also be recognized and appreciated as one of Jack's sponsors, all of whom he will name during presentation. If you are the sort of person who needs something a bit more material in exchange for their contribution, Jensen is an accomplished costumer and painter, so contact them directly and there is a good chance they can work something out for you to receive.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this particularly long-winded address, I sincerely hope you might consider donating a few bucks to help me out with something I'm truly passionate about. I love and appreciate every single one of you, and I hope to make you all proud!
Yours sincerely,
Jensen Lee Gibson, aka Jack Rabid
Jensen Lee Gibson, also known by their stage name Jack Rabid, found drag three years ago and has not once looked back. Using their talents for performance, makeup, sewing and costume design, Jensen was able to craft Jack into a complete persona who allows them to express their unique point of view through the art of drag. Inspired by a love of pompadours, all things David Bowie, skinny men in slim fit suits and cult classic films of the 70s and 80s, Jack is a drag king who can not only entertain, but does so in a way completely unique and authentic to who Jensen is as a person.
Jensen currently lives and performs as Jack in Nashville, TN, where they also attend Vanderbilt University on a generous scholarship. Drag is their way of letting loose the frustrations and emotions that come along with any college experience, especially one of being queer at a "Southern Ivy," and it has become very important to them. Pageants were a natural next step for Jack after two and a half years of constant growth as a king, and he entered his first pageant, Mr. Genesis at Play Dance Bar, in March of 2014. He placed first runner up. Since that magical experience, Jensen has been eager to experience pageants at the next level, so they might be able to learn from some of the best drag kings in the country, and allow Jack to grow even more. The USofA system allows a perfect opportunity for them to do just that.
First held in 2008, Mister USofA: MI is a pageant for male impersonators ages 21+, and is a part of USofA Pageants, who host the largest female/male impersonation pageant systems in the country. Mister Southern States USofA:MI, held in Little Rock Arkansas, was enstated this year as a direct preliminary to the National pageant, held in Oklahoma City. The winner of the title as well as the first runner up will both win a ticket to Nationals. In order to be competitive for the title, Jack will have to prepare a presentation outfit, a creative evening wear suit, a talent presentation, and complete a 7 minute interview as Jensen. These categories require everything from costuming to props to makeup, and there will be multiple suits involved. The expense of preparing for this alone, needless to say, is strenuous on a student's budget. However, the cost of a pageant is more than just that. There are also registration fees, gas, hotel expenses, food, and compensation for backup dancers to contend with. This is why Jack needs your help.
If you donate to this cause, you will not only have Jensen's undying appreciation, you will also be recognized and appreciated as one of Jack's sponsors, all of whom he will name during presentation. If you are the sort of person who needs something a bit more material in exchange for their contribution, Jensen is an accomplished costumer and painter, so contact them directly and there is a good chance they can work something out for you to receive.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this particularly long-winded address, I sincerely hope you might consider donating a few bucks to help me out with something I'm truly passionate about. I love and appreciate every single one of you, and I hope to make you all proud!
Yours sincerely,
Jensen Lee Gibson, aka Jack Rabid
Organizer
Jack Rabid
Organizer
Nashville, TN
