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'Parents should be arrested': Outrage as 'Young Actors Theatre Group' organizes 3-DAY 'Art of Drag' camp for children as young as 8

Young Actors Theatre Group is hosting its first-ever weekend camp where children as young as eight stayed overnight to learn about the 'Art of Drag'

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA: An organization called 'Young Actors Theatre Group' arranged a drag camp for children as young as eight-years-old. 'Art of Drag', a three-day, two-night workshop was organized to create their own personal drag personas. They have also recently received a solid amount of donations from unrevealed sources. Hence, it allowed them to offer a 'Pay What You Can' price for the camp. 

The camp's first excursion, which was announced last week, began on Friday, March 31. The workshop is being held until Monday, April 3. Students took part in character workshops, learned about the history of drag, and developed performance ideas for a final show in front of friends and family. But, the event has been divisive and is already receiving criticism online, much like a plethora of other drag events happening across the nation. It appears that the event was organized by IPIC Movie Theaters which operates in various places in the northeastern US, Florida, and California.

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Who is the organizer of the camp? 

Young Actors Theatre Group was founded in 2001 by Shawn Ryan and John Ainsworth. According to their website, "Over the years, thousands of students have come through our doors - many of whom have gone on to attend top performing arts schools and work in TV, film, national tours, and even Broadway. It also detailed, "Our classes are all taught by working actors, singers, directors, dancers casting directors, writers, designers, agents, managers, and producers who bring their professional experiences and inspirations directly to the classroom. There is nothing quite like learning ‘how to sell a song’ from Sutton Foster or learning the ‘Safety Dance’ from Glee’s Heather Morris or learning ‘how to write great lyrics’ from Darren Criss while he serenades you."

Ryan claimed on the website, "When we were bit by the performing bug in our first drama class, our parents didn’t know where to turn to or who to call. How does one get a leg up in the professional world when they have no professional experience? YATC is part of the answer. We are your one stop shop for the ins and outs of showbiz where you child can learn from working actors, singers, dancers, directors, choreographers, and professionals from all areas of the arts." 

Recent drag show protest

Recently, another drag dance became controversial. A video of a drag queen straddling a female student during an LGBTQ+ pride event at Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem went viral. Footage obtained by the social media account @libsoftiktok on Tuesday, March 28, showed the drag queen giving a sexualized lap dance where students as young as 14 attended the event at the public college which provides two on-campus high school programs that begin enrolment in ninth grade. The event was open to students of all ages, as previously reported by MEAWW. 

'I don't get why they neeed to be around kids!'

The Internet quickly reacted to the post. Another added, "Perversion of the youth is a sure sign of societal degradation. Gross." Another said, "Absolutely disgusting."

Twitter users were equally outrageous. One noted, "The parents that take their kids to this should be arrested." "I have no problem with drag shows. Hell I grew up in Vegas and there are a few femal impersonator shows that are great. Just keep the kids out of it. You wouldn't take them to a burlesque show or strip club either. While I'm at it kid beauty pagents aren't good either," said a user. "I don't get why they neeed to be around kids!" claimed a user. "I’m confused why people are mad about these drag shows. Kids aren’t driving themselves there. It’s the parents of the kids that are responsible," stated another. A user explained, "This is horrible and needs to be stopped !!!" "I’m sure tax payers money is being used to help fund this," added a user. 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.