MassLive recently asked readers to identify people who are leaders from the LGBTQ+ community throughout the state, working to make a difference in their own area of interest, be it politics, education, business or the arts.
Profiles of these leaders will be published through the rest of February. These are people our readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change.
Andrew Curran performs as his drag queen alter-ego Magnolia Masquerade at the Marigold Theater in Easthampton. (Grace Kelly photo)Grace Kelly
Andrew Curran as Magnolia Masquerade
Age: 24
Community: Northampton and Easthampton
His story: Andrew Curran writes, produces and hosts a monthly theatrical drag show at the Marigold Theater in Easthampton, called “The Muses of the Marigold Theater.” As the host, Curran takes the audience through a plot that revolves around his poltergeist, Magnolia Masquerade, and “whatever escapade she’s on or situation she’s in,” he told MassLive. The details of the plot, according to Curran, depend on the theme of the month.
“This work is important because it’s a meeting ground,” Curran told MassLive. “From young queer people to any Easthampton local, my work on the stage bridges the divide between many communities so that we all exist together in a harmonious way – we don’t always get to see that.”
“The only way to learn about each other in an authentic way is to be with each other, and with the current attacks on queer people in this country, it’s heartwarming to see so many people in and out of the queer community supporting the queer art we put on at my show,” Curran continued.
Both seasoned drag performers and new performers have found a home with The Muses of the Marigold Theater, Curran told MassLive.
Storytelling is the root of Curran’s work at the Marigold and the theater has built a “perfect pedestal” for queer art, they said.
“I always knew I would be famous, but I didn’t always know how. I’m not a singer, dancer, or actor. However, I still like performing and can perform!” Curran told MassLive.
After high school, Curran found a passion for writing and went to school for creative writing and english literature. But later on, in college and during the COVID lockdown, his passion for writing expanded to storytelling after watching “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
“I was seeing the possibilities that drag could offer me for the first time. I don’t have to be a singer, dancer, or actor but can still do all of these things in a new way! My creative world was opening up beyond writing, I could embrace performing again too,” Curran told MassLive.
Curran started making lipsync videos which combined writing and performing. On April 27, 2020, Curran said he promised himself that if he ever fully did drag, his name would be something like “Masquerade.”
He didn’t start doing full drag until the Marigold Theater opened. He was asked to host a drag show there by someone who admired the lipsync videos he made during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I saw a golden opportunity to combine all of my storytelling skills onto a stage from writing to performing. And exactly two years later, April 27, 2022, Magnolia Masquerade possessed my body for the first time and my vision of fame finally formed,” Curran said.
In his words: “I would advise listening to Mariah Carey’s song, ‘Make It Happen.’ You have to take the initiative yourself to get your creative work done. We tragically live in a world where art is not always appreciated even if it is fundamental to us. So you have to find your voice, and find the motivation to make it happen, and make it appreciated.”
We’re always open to hearing about more inspiring people. If you’d like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form.
