School to host their annual drag show . One thing led to another . Shaun and I both joined the planning committee for the annual Berkshire Pride Festival .
And you also host The Majesty of the Berkshires Pride Pageant ? I was contacted by Charlie Nadler , a comedian who travels around Berkshire County . He said , “ You know , I ' ve been in contact with Yina Moore at the Adams Theater , and she is looking for queer programming .” I was looking for drag pageants in the area when I moved , and I didn ' t see any . I just thought this was an opportunity , so we did that last year to a sold-out house .
Do you feel like there are misconceptions about drag ? I do think it ' s such a huge misconception . Theater is storytelling , and drag is a part of it . It goes back to Shakespeare . Young males usually played the ingenues , and older males played the nanny or the mother . It ' s become part of the embedded fabric of queer culture , and it ' s something that hopefully brings a little bit of joy and a little bit of laughter to everybody . And that ' s it . I think people might read into it too deeply .
Have you incorporated your teaching background into the experiences you provide here in the Berkshires ? I got my master ' s and built a performing arts program [ at an elementary school in Newark ]. I was there for five years , overseeing the program all the way to fifth grade . I moved back to New York and started working for a middle school that focused on giving students their individual needs . One of my many dreams is to do short summer camps here at Santarella , where we can have kids producing local community children ' s theater .
What are your plans for Santarella ? We rent our two towers on Airbnb , and 100 percent of the profits go back into the property for renovations . The biggest project we are looking at doing is re-doing the roof of the Gingerbread House . Some things we would really love to have are small shows that showcase local and underrepresented artists . I would love to have shops at Santarella during the holidays , bring local vendors into the Gingerbread House and create another experience .
What do you love most about becoming Bella Santarella ? It ’ s a bit twofold . Part of it is selfishness in that I have a love for sewing and crafts . So it gives me that opportunity to create something that is art , that is beauty . Also , I think my involvement with kids . As a child , I did not have any queer role models . I get to share my story with high schoolers , what my path has been . Being able to be yourself and share who you truly are — that can help and inspire youth . I think that this next generation is just amazing . They ' re so open-minded and educated . I ' m excited for what they ' re gonna do . ■
Bella Santarella will be joined by Shawn Hollenbach to host the Majesty of the Berkshires Pride Pageant at Adams Theater on Friday , May 31 , at 7 p . m . You also can find Bella Santerella at Methuselah in Pittsfield for Pride Night with DJ Pup Daddy on Thursday , May 2 , 8 – 11 p . m . The theme is “ Spotlight on Cher .”
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May Holiday / June 2024 2023 BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE // // 51