EPISODE · Jul 1, 2026 · 41 MIN
Carmelita Tropicana: The Accidental Queen of Downtown Performance Art
from LGBTQ&A · host Jeffrey Masters
Carmelita Tropicana was created almost by accident: a made-up name, blurted out at a radio broadcast in the 1980s. But Carmelita, and the woman behind the character, Alina Troyano, went on to become one of the pillars of downtown New York theatre. Alina talks about the ongoing evolution of her iconic camp character, spoofing both masculinity and femininity in her work, and her relationship with the queer theorist José Esteban Muñoz. LGBTQ&A is an independent, listener-supported podcast. Click here to check out our Substack and learn more about how to support our work. LGBTQ&A features interviews with the most interesting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people in the world. Hosted and produced by Jeffrey Masters. @jeffmasters1
What this episode covers
Carmelita Tropicana was created almost by accident: a made-up name, blurted out at a radio broadcast in the 1980s. But Carmelita, and the woman behind the character, Alina Troyano, went on to become one of the pillars of downtown New York theatre. Alina talks about the ongoing evolution of her iconic camp character, spoofing both masculinity and femininity in her work, and her relationship with the queer theorist José Esteban Muñoz. LGBTQ&A is an independent, listener-supported podcast. Click here to check out our Substack and learn more about how to support our work. LGBTQ&A features interviews with the most interesting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people in the world. Hosted and produced by Jeffrey Masters. @jeffmasters1
NOW PLAYING
Carmelita Tropicana: The Accidental Queen of Downtown Performance Art
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Oct 3, 2025 ·28m
Sep 16, 2025 ·29m
Sep 16, 2025 ·47m
Sep 12, 2025 ·37m
Sep 11, 2025 ·40m
Sep 10, 2025 ·40m