Lola 

Born on a winter solstice, Marcus/Lola’s identity is shrouded in complexity, as they navigate the challenges of neurodivergence, chronic pain,  and maintaining two completely different personas with no family support and few friends or connections. In the prairie town where he grew up, far from the city he now calls home, neither of Marcus’ divorced parents accept his life or care to maintain a relationship with him. His brother actively works on anti-trans political actions. 

Lola projects confidence and glamour, but in daily life Marcus clings to, and struggles with, solitude. All of his relationships stem from Lola – Astrid’s sound, Ned’s astral photography, Ruth’s sewing. Marcus’ friendships with Astrid and Ned have become very important to him, but he is afraid to allow that as himself. He also fears his dependence on Ruth, and tries to learn all her secrets.  Lola’s reliance on lighting technicians Paul and Farmer to execute her designs makes Marcus very uncomfortable, and he has been teaching himself how to program the lighting, even though he actually loves working with both techs, and would feel bereft to have no reason to call. 

Despite Lola’s local renown and charisma, she often grapples with self-doubt and the pressures of maintaining her stylized persona, not the least of which are financial. She does not allow herself to dream of achieving broader recognition in the world of drag after numerous setbacks and competitive behaviour. She doesn’t feel like she fits as a “Queen”. The only thing she acknowledges in common is the compulsion of drag as the means of expression. 

Lola sometimes finds herself sidelined from drag circles and clubs, because her music and artistic choices fall well outside of mainstream pop culture. Luckily, her followers are loyal advocates and make sure to pad the audience of any small and medium sized venues she announces as booked. She has become a strangely known-unknown in the city’s underground and queer scenes.

Marcus is starting to find drag to be a bit of a…drag to keep up, but Lola runs the show. The best days are really amazing; the worst make her wonder if it’s worth it. But in her deepest core she knows that “worth it” is an irrelevant concept. Within her something powerful and demanding stirs, growls, claws, and forces its way out. There is no reason. She has found this medium to express the demand from her soul, like a juice press, and nothing else has satiated. She might combust without it. Marcus is the beast Lola rides to freedom. 

In the past, Lola has struggled with substance abuse and shallow sexuality, all of which has become unsatisfying and jaded her. Lola’s journey is now marked by a desire to balance her state of being. The allure of the limelight has both empowered and confounded her as she grapples with hidden pain that drives her to explore her own physical and emotional boundaries. She longs for acceptance in a community that doesn’t quite understand her drag, but also resists any efforts to pull her in unless it’s 100% on her own terms. 

Lola/Marcus explores the complexities of identity and the power of performance to bridge the gap between the real and the surreal. Lola’s magnetic presence and the enigmatic connection she indulges to bring magic to her movement begin to take on a life of their own.