2016 WAVE Awards Spotlight: Darcel Stevens

Darcel Stevens

Darcel Stevens didn’t even know he was nominated for a WAVE Award.

That might be because our readers’ pick for 2016 Favorite Drag Performer is too busy, between his full-time job as entertainment director for Parliament House and his dedication to donating his time and talents to local fundraising events.

“I work four days a week as Darcel, and as entertainment director, I work seven days a week,” says Stevens, who can go from zero to drag in as little as 45 minutes but says it takes two hours to really get it right.

Darcel is a darling among the local non-profit community, frequently tapped to host events including the lavish Headdress Ball and, more recently, Dancing With the Queens. Both events benefit Hope and Help of Central Florida Inc., where Stevens serves on the board of directors. He’s also the driving force behind Babes and Bonnets for Orlando Youth Alliance and Employee Turnabout at Parliament House which benefits Joy MCC.

“Pretty much if it’s a worthwhile charity, I’ll lend my name to it,” Stevens says.

In addition to charitable work, Stevens, who has performed in drag since a friend dared him to in the mid-‘80s, is dedicated to maintaining the high standards and professionalism of the art of female impersonation.

“This is not a hobby, not a fad,” he says. “This is a professional job. All of the people who work at Parliament House are professional entertainers. We are at the top of our craft and get paid for a professional job. There is a difference from dressing up in drag and doing a talent show. We are professional entertainers.”

He says key tenets of that level of professionalism include keeping up with trends while also keeping “the art form in its true form,” regardless of fads.

“There are certain foundations that run through all professional female impersonators,” Stevens says. “Hair, makeup, clothing style, knowing your words, dance. It’s a visual art and you can’t skimp,” he says. “Even if you evolve, those things are underlying factors of your craft and you have to adhere to those.”

Quality over quantity, the saying goes, but between Stevens’ punishing work schedule and dedication to excellence, his fans get both in spades. His career may have started on a dare, but Central Florida is lucky to have Darcel Stevens, and that’s the truth.

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