Jen Carruthers

Drag King DSM, Jen’s brainchild and the largest exclusively drag king-focused show in the country, brings incredible performers from across the United States to downtown Des Moines every year. In one of the Midwest’s only safe and affirming spaces dedicated to this uniquely Queer cultural experience, Drag King DSM artists celebrate unity, unfettered self-expression, joy, and exploration of gender beyond the binary. Since launching the all-drag king scene in Des Moines over a decade ago, Drag King DSM has garnered enthusiastic regional and national attention, regularly attracting sell-out crowds of 700 people (its wildly popular show during Pride Month is not to be missed!)

About Drag King DSM (DKDSM)

Drag King DSM strips the art of drag performance to its core through a truly one-of-a-kind theatrical experience that transcends boundaries of gender, age, race, ethnicity, and sexual identity to highlight aspects of the human condition that set us apart and bring us together. Drag performers are typically members of the LGBTQ+ community and perform in LGBTQ+ establishments. Breaking with tradition, DKDSM shows are held in a neutral venue and feature both Queer AND straight folks of diverse identities and backgrounds, including bisexual and lesbian artists and transgender men.