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| Kevin Ludemann Class of 2018 |
Kevin Ludemann, a Spanish major, will present his Senior Honors Capstone on Friday, April 20th at 1:30pm. His presentation, entitled the “Role of Drag Queens in Modern Day Spain,” is the culmination of a year´s worth of research and writing.
Abstract:
This capstone serves the purpose of better educating the public and debunking some common
stereotype about Drag Queens. Written completely in Spanish, the piece examines how the
modern day Spanish Drag Queen has come to be, and the role that they play in society. The piece starts by looking at the role that cross dresser played in “Comedias”, or plays, that mimicked Spanish society during the 16th century. By examining these performances, the audience can establish a baseline of what the role of Drag Queens was. Flash forward nearly 400 years, and the role of the Drag Queen changed drastically when Francisco Franco, the Dictator from Spain between 1939-1975, came to power. He put into place legislation that limited gender and sexuality expression in society and drastically threatened Drag Art. Serving as a major transition, this piece examines this legislation and the time period after it fell, La Movida Madrileña, as they have both helped construct the modern day Drag Queen. More specifically, the capstone examines two films, “Ocaña” and “La Mala Educación” that both have Queens as protagonists and demonstrate the transition away from Franco’s strict laws that sought to prevent individual expression. Finally, the capstone reveals insights gained after interviewing Drag Queens who live and perform in Spain. These interviews, the analysis of them, and the history that helped form them all work together so society can finally answer the question, “What role do Drag Queens play in modern day Spanish society?”
Kevin is the first Spanish major to complete his capstone for Spanish credit. He is writing his capstone in Spanish, but his presentation on April 20th will be in English.
This capstone serves the purpose of better educating the public and debunking some common
stereotype about Drag Queens. Written completely in Spanish, the piece examines how the
modern day Spanish Drag Queen has come to be, and the role that they play in society. The piece starts by looking at the role that cross dresser played in “Comedias”, or plays, that mimicked Spanish society during the 16th century. By examining these performances, the audience can establish a baseline of what the role of Drag Queens was. Flash forward nearly 400 years, and the role of the Drag Queen changed drastically when Francisco Franco, the Dictator from Spain between 1939-1975, came to power. He put into place legislation that limited gender and sexuality expression in society and drastically threatened Drag Art. Serving as a major transition, this piece examines this legislation and the time period after it fell, La Movida Madrileña, as they have both helped construct the modern day Drag Queen. More specifically, the capstone examines two films, “Ocaña” and “La Mala Educación” that both have Queens as protagonists and demonstrate the transition away from Franco’s strict laws that sought to prevent individual expression. Finally, the capstone reveals insights gained after interviewing Drag Queens who live and perform in Spain. These interviews, the analysis of them, and the history that helped form them all work together so society can finally answer the question, “What role do Drag Queens play in modern day Spanish society?”
Kevin is the first Spanish major to complete his capstone for Spanish credit. He is writing his capstone in Spanish, but his presentation on April 20th will be in English.
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