Kingston's drag scene is vibrant, welcoming, and constantly evolving. Visit Kingston interviewed two beloved local performers, Rowena Whey and Tyffanie Morgan, to talk about their drag journeys, the power of community, and why experiencing a drag show should be on every Kingston itinerary.
Ice Breakers
Introduce yourself! How would you describe your drag persona in three words?
Rowena Whey:
"I’m Rowena Whey and I’m confident, whimsical, and sassy."
Tyffanie Morgan:
"My name is Miss Tyffanie Morgan, the drag mother of Kingston. Three words? Oh gosh, that's tough."
[Interviewer: "Drag mother of Kingston is basically three words. You're also everything."]
"I'm everything."
What inspired you to start doing drag, and how did your journey begin?
Rowena Whey:
"Actually, I was dared to do drag for Halloween one year, so I spent a month preparing and trying to learn the art form. Once I did it, I realized it was something that combined all the things I love. I can act, sing, dance, and learn new skills like makeup and fashion.
But after I started performing, I did a show in a small rural town in Alberta, and a young trans boy came up to me afterward. He thanked me for doing the show and said it was because of people like me that he was able to be the person he was. That moment stayed with me."
Tyffanie Morgan:
"Well, I started drag 26 years ago, long before YouTube and before Drag Race. At that time, you learned drag by mentoring with another drag artist. I started in March 2000, when my drag mother, Jazz Morgan, got me done up in drag in an apartment behind the gay bar at the time. She was getting a few other people ready as well, and then we all went out to the bar.
What inspired me was seeing my first drag show at Club 477 on Princess Street. I saw Jas Morgan and a few other drag artists perform, and it was really magical. I had seen drag on the silver screen in Too Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, but those weren't really the reality of drag. Being able to see, meet, and talk to actual drag artists, I was completely smitten. That's when Jas said, 'Let's get you done up one day.'"
What is your favourite part of being a drag artist?
Rowena Whey:
"I absolutely adore the moment when you walk on stage and people look at you with wide-eyed awe. You know you've got them in your grip and that they're going to be watching and enjoying what you're doing. My favourite moment is when you know you've captured their attention."
Tyffanie Morgan:
"My favourite part is the feedback. It's the love I get back from the audience. I think that's what keeps every drag artist going, and it's certainly what's kept me going for 26 years.
You see people's eyes light up and their faces glow. They come up afterward and tell you how much fun they had. It's the audiences that keep me doing it.
There's also a sense of legacy. Drag has always been a support system and a way of giving back. In the late '80s and early '90s, drag performances helped fundraise for HIV/AIDS initiatives. That's part of why I love doing Drag in the Park. It's an opportunity to give back with a free performance where everyone can come together and have a great time."
Kingston's Drag Scene
What makes Kingston such a special place to perform and build community?
Rowena Whey:
"Kingston is shockingly supportive of the queer community and the drag scene. There are always outliers, but overall it's incredibly welcoming.
You can walk down the street in drag and people won't stop and stare at you. They'll stop because they're fascinated. They'll want to talk to you, learn more about what you're doing, and find out where you're performing next.
It's an acceptance that doesn't need to be stated. As the drag scene has grown, more and more people have wanted to interact with it, be part of it, and attend our shows. It keeps getting bigger, and more people keep learning about it. I think that acceptance is what makes Kingston such a great place."
Tyffanie Morgan:
"I think Kingston is unique because we're very accepting of different aspects of drag. It's not just drag queens. We have drag kings, drag clowns, drag things, and performers of all identities and backgrounds.
We're welcoming, and we're going to give people an opportunity to share their platform and the stage. That's something you don't necessarily see everywhere.
When you attend a drag show in Kingston, whether it's at a venue or Drag in the Park, you're going to see many different expressions of drag. One of the blessings I've experienced over the years is seeing drag grow from small performances in a gay bar into collaborative projects with Skeleton Park Arts Festival, Kingston Pride, Visit Kingston, and the Agnes through the Patterns for All Bodies project."
For someone visiting Kingston, why should attending a drag show be on their itinerary?
Rowena Whey:
"Because you're going to get a night of entertainment that's unexpected, surprising, and completely unique.
At a drag show, you never really know what's going to happen. It's like improv mixed with singing, dancing, acting, theatre, and everything else thrown together. Depending on the performers, you might get diva classics, alternative rock, theatrical storytelling, or something entirely different.
Every show is unique. No matter how many drag shows you've attended, it's always going to be fun and entertaining."
Tyffanie Morgan:
"Well, A: you're going to have a good time. B: you're going to have a good time. And C: you're going to have a good time.
Come out to be entertained, but also to experience different types of drag. If you're used to seeing shows in downtown Toronto, you'll notice that Kingston's scene is different. There's a little more experimentation, a little more artistry, and a lot of community spirit. And if drinks are available, grab one and enjoy the show."
What do you hope audiences take away from a drag performance?
Rowena Whey:
"I want them to take away a sense of love. I want them to leave understanding that people can be fully themselves and perform proudly because they're supported by a strong community.
I want people to walk away feeling like they experienced what community truly means."
Tyffanie Morgan:
"I hope they take away my love for performing. I hope they can see that I'm enjoying it just as much as they are.
I also hope they take away my socials. But beyond that, I hope they leave wanting to visit Kingston again. We do Drag in the Park twice each summer, but Kingston is always worth a visit. We're just a short train ride from Ottawa, Montreal, and Toronto."
What excites you most about the future of Kingston's drag scene?
Rowena Whey:
"The future of Kingston's drag scene is kind of happening right now. We have so many up-and-coming performers, and the scene is incredibly diverse.
Many larger drag communities are made up mostly of drag queens. Here, we have drag kings, drag things, drag clowns, and performers who don't identify with a drag gender at all.
It really is the queer community viewed through a drag lens. As the scene continues to grow, more performers keep joining, and I think that growth is only going to continue."
Tyffanie Morgan:
"What excites me is the unexpectedness of it all. If you'd asked me 20 years ago what the scene would look like today, I never would have guessed.
The future is constantly changing, and while some people feel pessimistic about that, I'm very optimistic. We have so much diversity in the drag community, and I don't see that disappearing anytime soon.
What I hope to see is more Kingston drag artists appearing on major digital platforms, on theatre stages in bigger cities, and maybe even on the silver screen."
Rapid Fire: Kingston Edition
Favourite Kingston cocktail?
Rowena Whey:
"A Negroni at Musiikki."
Tyffanie Morgan:
"I'm usually a vodka soda person, but I love an Aperol Spritz during the summer at Olivea."
Favourite Kingston coffee?
Rowena Whey:
"Crave Coffee House."
Tyffanie Morgan:
"An Americano at Elm Cafe."
Favourite Kingston community event?
Rowena Whey:
"Drag in the Park."
Tyffanie Morgan:
"It has to be Drag in the Park."
Ready to experience Kingston's drag scene for yourself? Join us for Drag in the Park on Tuesday, June 9, from 7–9 pm at Confederation Park. This free outdoor show is a celebration of creativity, community, and self-expression in the heart of downtown Kingston.
