Parity Pipeline

Genre

Synopsis

Pussy Noir, or Jason Barnes, has been a drag performer in the Nation's Capital for several decades. A classically trained artist, the majority of Mx. Noir’s professional background is in theater and fashion design. This twenty minute vérité documentary looks at the work that Jason is doing at the Kennedy Center’s Culture Caucus, where he has sought to elevate drag onto one of the biggest stages in the region. The film opens with a montage in which Jason discusses some of his thoughts on fashion’s role in culture. We then take a look at some of the work Jason has done to bring drag to the Kennedy center. Soon, however, Jason will undertake his biggest professional effort to date. At Jason’s apartment, the sketches and stitching for the show are underway. While sewing, pinning, and embellishing, Jason discusses some of the historic and cultural influences for his work. He draws from the work of Ann Lowe, who was called “the Black Coco Chanel”, the styles featured at New Orleans Quadroon Balls, and William Dorsey Swann, who is known as the country’s first drag queen. Jason continues to test designs with exclusive audiences, and to prep and fit performers for the final showcase at the Kennedy Center. The final show in the film brings together everything Jason has learned along the way. Drag, couture, and Black history all weave together in Jason’s event. The day of the show and the performances are the end scene of the film, and Jason reflects on his year of work.