I would like to start this newsletter off with an introduction. I am Christa Collins (Christopher Barksdale-Burns) and, I am the new Miss Gay Missouri America 2013. I come to you very humbled and excited about my victory.
I am a newcomer myself to the the system, so I will tell you a bit about my history. I am a former dancer with the Kansas City Ballet where I danced, for 21 seasons. 17 of those years as a Principal or lead dancer. I have also been a part of two national touring companies. The Will Rogers Follies (as the Indian of the Dawn) and a very short run of Thoroughly Modern Millie. During this long period of performing I also studied voice at the University of Missouri Kansas City. I have gotten to work in opera houses both here and abroad as a singer and done other musical theatre shows and workshops all over the country.
I am a newcomer myself to the the system, so I will tell you a bit about my history. I am a former dancer with the Kansas City Ballet where I danced, for 21 seasons. 17 of those years as a Principal or lead dancer. I have also been a part of two national touring companies. The Will Rogers Follies (as the Indian of the Dawn) and a very short run of Thoroughly Modern Millie. During this long period of performing I also studied voice at the University of Missouri Kansas City. I have gotten to work in opera houses both here and abroad as a singer and done other musical theatre shows and workshops all over the country.
My introduction to the pageant system came in 1994 when I became friends with China Collins. After seeing her perform at a local club called the"Cabaret", we struck up a conversation about working together. I admitted to her that I may be new to the art form known as Female Impersonation, but I am not new to people and/or movement and putting the two of them together. So we began a friendship and a working relationship that is still growing and thriving and it's where I get my surname Collins. Later on, I met and worked with other performers, but one of my absolute favorites was and still is Lexsus Chaney. When she approached me about choreographing a talent for her, I immediately said, "YES". We worked for 5 months, 3 days a week, with many dancers, gymnast, and other performers to bring her winning talent of Smokey Joe's Cafe to life. It wasn't until later that I learned that everyone was always upset with me for yelling at them constantly to get it right. Practice does not make perfect, "Perfect Practice Makes Perfect"! As a result she won talent at the state and national levels.
When I am asked about how or why I entered the business, I have one answer. I want to put my own stamp on it. I have helped in the background for years and now I want to play in the sandbox with all the other pretty girls.
When I am asked about how or why I entered the business, I have one answer. I want to put my own stamp on it. I have helped in the background for years and now I want to play in the sandbox with all the other pretty girls.
Winning Miss Gay Missouri America is a huge thrill, but now I am ready for the work. I would like to be a positive step in the right direction. I want to see the pageant grow and add more preliminaries, so that Missouri will be a force to reckon with throughout the country. In the coming weeks, I will be contacting promoters to set up some summer and early fall prelims. I will also be contacting former promoters to get them back into our family.
I am looking forward to seeing, working, and having a great time with all of the girls from this year's pageant and to making new friends.
I am so proud to be a part of a year and a system that had people in it like, Adria Andrews (who is one of the most gracious and accommodating people I have ever met), Kitty Denise Litter (a ferociously talented lady), Loreal K.C's Queen of Comedy (such an amazing person, an awesome promoter and great friend filled with the wisdom of this business) and Trixie LaRue (such a sweet spirit and one of the kindest hearts around). I am so honored to have gone through this event with all of you. I will continue to learn and grow not only from you ladies, but from the rest of our sisters that went on this journey with us. LaDreama Funn, thank you for you all of your kind words. And to Miss Diva Coppafeel , the best words of advice from the weekend that I will take with me all year, "Just be and stay YOU" . Thank you for that encouragement. I will keep that in my heart all year and beyond as I get ready for Miss Gay America.
I would also like to give a special shout out to Regina LaRae, Moltyn Decadance and Heidi Banks, for all of the love, laughter hard work and fierceness that they provided me with not only on this weekend but on a daily basis. I Love you all!! GO TEAM K.C. Thank you Sally Sparkles for being a true and shining "Symbol of Excellence"
As I close this letter, we are entering into "AIDS WAlK" events all over the country. Let us remember and honor those who have passed on and those still living with this disease. I would also like us to be mindful of the events that happened this past week . The Boston Marathon bombings and the fertilizer plant explosions in West, Texas. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers. We are all celebrants on this earth and living together sometimes makes us angry and caustic - but we are also survivors and if we learn to love one another and try to understand each other's differences, this dance that we call life will be one amazing party.
I am looking forward to seeing, working, and having a great time with all of the girls from this year's pageant and to making new friends.
I am so proud to be a part of a year and a system that had people in it like, Adria Andrews (who is one of the most gracious and accommodating people I have ever met), Kitty Denise Litter (a ferociously talented lady), Loreal K.C's Queen of Comedy (such an amazing person, an awesome promoter and great friend filled with the wisdom of this business) and Trixie LaRue (such a sweet spirit and one of the kindest hearts around). I am so honored to have gone through this event with all of you. I will continue to learn and grow not only from you ladies, but from the rest of our sisters that went on this journey with us. LaDreama Funn, thank you for you all of your kind words. And to Miss Diva Coppafeel , the best words of advice from the weekend that I will take with me all year, "Just be and stay YOU" . Thank you for that encouragement. I will keep that in my heart all year and beyond as I get ready for Miss Gay America.
I would also like to give a special shout out to Regina LaRae, Moltyn Decadance and Heidi Banks, for all of the love, laughter hard work and fierceness that they provided me with not only on this weekend but on a daily basis. I Love you all!! GO TEAM K.C. Thank you Sally Sparkles for being a true and shining "Symbol of Excellence"
As I close this letter, we are entering into "AIDS WAlK" events all over the country. Let us remember and honor those who have passed on and those still living with this disease. I would also like us to be mindful of the events that happened this past week . The Boston Marathon bombings and the fertilizer plant explosions in West, Texas. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers. We are all celebrants on this earth and living together sometimes makes us angry and caustic - but we are also survivors and if we learn to love one another and try to understand each other's differences, this dance that we call life will be one amazing party.
Miss Gay Missouri America 2013,
Christa Collins
APRIL/MAY MGMA BOARD NEWSLETTER
Well the 40th Miss Gay Missouri America pageant has come and gone, and I must say that
despite all of the hard work and stress, it was worth it. We have much to celebrate and so many people to thank:
Thank you to MCCGS: for the providing a very special space to hold MGMA - the venue was filled to capacity on final night with more than 500 pageant watchers in attendance. Kudos to EVERYONE that worked back stage, from organizing music, tabulating , dressing formers, stage managing , props, and back drops.... from working the front door, clean -up crew , DJ - what an amazing group of people. Thanks to all the city preliminary promoters for what they do throughout the year and our many business and community supporters throughout the state! If I have forgotten anyone, forgive me , please know you are appreciated .
Standing before the capacity crowd, I felt "IT" energy, the very thing MGMA should be - the building and everyone in it was a buzz. Indeed, it felt like the glory days of our storied pageant. Three years ago, our goal for MGMA was to give it a new birth , and the past two years were nothing short of amazing and set the stage for a fabulous final night this year to prepare the ground for the next 40 years. It was amazing, It made me tear up to see and feel the energy in that room!
I hope our new MGMA 2013 CHRISTA COLLINS realizes what a great night it was for her to be crowned in such a fabulous venue, before the packed crowd. I also hope each of the stelllar contestants know that there can only be one winner, as we say, but each and every one of them "brought it" this year. Our First Alternate Adria Andrews equally has a lot to be proud of this year. S/he did an amazing job and our two top girls will represent Missouri well at Miss GAy America in St. Louis this October. Believe me when I say that I wish we could send all of our contestants to MGA this year - the calibre of talent was just that good!
Christa - you were a delight all week end long , and you have a very big job to do this year as you mark the start of the next four decades MGMA. Live your reign to its fullest , and as you witnessed over the pageant weekend, winning MGMA really does change your life. But remember, only you control the how your life changes . Be honest , be fair, be gracious. Know that you are always MGMA even when not in gown or crown... people like hearing from you , be it in person, or in print, etc. Be the best MGMA you can be and it will come back to you ten fold and reward you more than you realize. Welcome to the family of MGMA and we look forward to seeing throughout your year and what you do for the job you have landed!
July 21 st is our first 2014 prelim, Miss Metropolitan. It is scheduled to be held in Kansas City at Sidekicks. This is an open prelim, look for application s and information very soon! Contact Vanessa Vincent (Daniel Flier) or Brenda Liegh for info on Facebook or danieljflier@me.com.
Daniel Flier/Vanessa Vincent, MGM 1982
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