By Madison Chesarek | October 19. 2026 | Arts & Entertainment
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Costumes, drag entertainment and a celebration of queer expression brought 10 Haskell Indian Nations University students to the Granada on Oct. 9 for a late-night screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” where they experienced an interactive performance and connected with members of Lawrence’s LGBTQ+ community.
The students attended the 10 p.m. screening after receiving an invitation from Valerie Metzler, Lawrence Pride’s director of community engagement, during a Friday meeting associated with Haskell’s Allies of Equality club.
Although the invitation was shared during the gathering, the outing was not an official university-sponsored club event. Students attended independently, purchasing their own tickets to take part in the celebration.
The evening offered an opportunity for students interested in the LGBTQ+ community and Allies of Equality to experience a local event that encouraged self-expression and participation.
Unlike a traditional movie screening, the event featured a shadow cast production by Dorothy & the Dolls, a performance group whose members acted out scenes from the 1975 cult classic as the film played on the screen behind them.
The production incorporated drag entertainment, audience participation and the unconventional humor that has helped “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” develop a devoted following over the decades.
Audience members were encouraged to dress as their favorite characters, participate in familiar callbacks and embrace the theatrical atmosphere.
A costume contest before the screening gave attendees another opportunity to showcase their creativity, with outfits reflecting the film’s eccentric fashion and characters.
For several Haskell students, the evening marked their first experience attending a shadow cast performance of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”
As part of the show’s traditional initiation for newcomers, first-time audience members received a lipstick “V” on their faces. The marking identified them as “virgins,” a term used within the Rocky Horror community for those experiencing the interactive production for the first time.
Several students also dressed up for the occasion and took photographs with cast members following the performance.
Metzler shared a personal connection to the production, explaining that their son portrayed Eddie, the motorcycle-riding rock ‘n’ roll character whose appearance is one of the film’s memorable moments.
While the screening provided an evening of entertainment, interactions with local audience members offered another opportunity for students to experience Lawrence’s LGBTQ+ community.
During the evening, Haskell students discussed upcoming drag performances and other events being advertised within the community.
Audience members seated in front of the students overheard their conversation and joined in, enthusiastically sharing their experiences with local drag entertainment and encouraging the students to attend future performances.
The interaction introduced students to additional opportunities to engage with LGBTQ+ activities throughout Lawrence.
The screening also reflected a continuing tradition of Rocky Horror celebrations in the city. Lawrence Pride previously hosted a screening at Liberty Hall in October 2024, while this year’s production took place at the Granada on Massachusetts Street.
For Haskell students interested in Allies of Equality, the evening offered an opportunity to explore LGBTQ+ spaces beyond campus, participate in a community celebration and connect with Lawrence residents through a shared appreciation of film and performance.
What begins as a invitation to a late night screening became an opportunity for students to experience the creativity, entertainment and community connections surrounding Lawrence‘s LGBTQ+ scene.
