The History Behind the Wig

Join us in the Walker Community Room to learn about the rich history of drag in the state of Arkansas from Mary Claire Durr!

Arkansas has a storied, although largely undocumented, history of community events featuring cross-dressing, or “dressing in drag”. The importance of pageantry, community building and local fundraising has created a southern hub for rural folk plays that feature drag as an important and inextricable element. Looking forward into the 21st century, Arkansan drag performers have professionalized the practice and positioned Arkansas as a force to be reckoned with on the national drag stage.

Mary Claire Durr will graduate from the University of Arkansas in May of 2022 with majors in English and History. She is currently researching the history of cross-dressing as a feature of rural folk plays in Arkansas as the subject of her senior thesis in the University’s Honors College.