Behind the scenes of UO’s Rocky Horror Picture Show
It’s a queer-friendly cult classic you can’t miss
Most students only know about The Rocky Horror Picture Show through movies like Perks of Being a Wallflower, where actors Emma Watson and Logan Lerman dance around in sexy lingerie, captivating an audience of “weirdos” like themselves. However, that only scratches the surface of what the Rocky Horror is to the thousands of people who have enjoyed the cult classic since its release in 1975.
The Rocky Horror has always been a safe place for people to come as they are. No matter your gender, sex, race, sexual orientation, or religion, the inclusive and exciting community the shadow casts provide for a campus or community excites and entices people from all walks of life.
Originally a play created by Richard O’Brien – an actor as well as an LGBTQ+ activist and spokesperson – the film adaptation has been an important symbol for the queer community as well as counter-cultures of multiple generations.
In addition to being a cult classic quintessential to any culture buff’s repertoire, it’s also a worthwhile experience that – like many things in college – will force you a little out of your comfort zone. It’s also an important symbol for the queer community, and damn entertaining to boot.
Pictured in order: Kendra Siebert, Dagny Daniel, Jillian Maginn
The Tab spoke to Dagny Daniel, one of the performers of UO’s shadow cast, to hear what she had to say about Rocky Horror.
How did you first get introduced to The Rocky Horror?
I got introduced by going to the Forbidden Fruit show on campus at the beginning of the year. I had seen the movie because my dad likes it but hadn’t seen a shadow cast before.
What were your first impressions of your first shadow cast experience?
My first impression of the shadow cast was that it looked like a lot of fun to be a part of, that all the people in it were having a good time making people laugh.
What’s appealing about The Rocky Horror community?
The Rocky Horror community is very inclusive and centered around acceptance of all identities and poking fun at conventionality, I really like that. The Rocky cult following is just a bunch of fun-loving people with dirty senses of humor.
Do you have any thoughts about this cult classic in terms of sexual freedom, queer rights, artistic expression, feminism, or any other social axis of representation or identity?
The movie itself was written and directed by Richard O’Brien, who is transgender and active in trying to reconcile gender roles. The fact that he wrote and directed the film is an important milestone in the LGBTQ+ community. The callbacks aim at reclaiming derogatory terms used to hurt queer people.
What does the Rocky Horror, and being a part of this community mean to you?
To me, it’s a really fun and low-key way to get involved in a weird production. It’s really fun to be able to encourage my friends to come, and [then to] see [them] have a good time!
So if you ever get the chance to go to a Rocky Horror Picture Show live shadow cast performance at your university or in your community, you’ll certainly have a fun and memorable experience.