Jordan E. Cooper is the executive producer, showrunner, and creator of the Emmy-nominated BET sitcom “The Ms. Pat Show.” Cooper is also recognized for his work as a playwright. His stage play “Ain’t No Mo” was nominated for a Tony Award six times, and it also won an Obie Award.
Jack Mizrahi is the co-creator of the vogueing dance competition TV show “Legendary.” He was also a writer and consultant on the FX drama series “Pose.” Mizrahi is an LGBTQ+ icon of the ballroom scene, as well as a well-respected emcee.
They are both the visionary minds responsible for bringing the 2nd Annual Remember My Name Ball to the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, located at the Rhimes Performing Arts Center, on Saturday, August 17, 6pm – 11pm.
Created by Black queer and trans people, ballroom is a cultural experience where contestants compete by modeling on runways, dancing, and lip-syncing in different talent categories. The goal of the contestants is to receive a perfect score of 10s across the board from the judges.
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Ballroom was fashioned to characterize and parody archaic thoughts about gender, jobs, and the social class system. It has been an important part of the LBTQ+ community for decades, and the houses within that culture have been refuges for young queer people of color.
“The aspect of building a house is building a home for kids and queer people who would consider themselves misfits,” said Mizrahi. “They surrounded themselves together and they built a social network, and that became a house.”
Mizrahi said within the house structure there are two leaders — a mother and a father — who help guide and protect LGBTQ+ kids. He said the houses were not just designed for ballroom and battling, but also to guide them through life.
“Ballroom is one of those spaces where community thrives,” said Cooper. “Once you’re inside this building [a ballroom] you’re protected from the rest of the world and everything that may harm you outside of this building.”
Mizrahi said ballroom exists because there was a need for ballroom to exist. He called it an “enate need” to feel a sense of belonging, to be heard, to release energy, and to show talent.
“Whether it’s as a commentator or as a ballroom promoter or as an icon or pioneer or in a category as one of our voguers,” said Mizrahi. “Everybody who comes to ballroom gets a supercharged sense of self.”
Mizrahi said ballroom is now seen around the world, and those looking in from the outside might just think it’s about dressing up and having fun, but he contends it is much more than that.
Cooper agrees with Mizrahi that ballroom is not just about dressing up, dancing, and showing talent. He said it is about “thriving and surviving.”
Cooper said ballroom should not be a “spectator sport.” “I hate it when people go to balls, and they sit by, watch as if people are monkeys in a zoo,” said Cooper. “Know that you’re a monkey too, so get in this damn cage… and have a good time.”
Debbie Allen has been a strong public ally of the LGBTQ+ community for a long time, but Cooper was surprised to learn she had never attended a ball.
“All of this came about because I was having a conversation with Debbie, and I was asking her if she had ever been to a ball,” said Cooper. “She was like, ‘No, I’ve never been to a ball,’ and I could not believe it because it’s Debbie Allen!”
Cooper said instead of taking Allen to a ball, they decided to collaborate on throwing one together. “I could not think of anybody else but the iconic Jack Mizrahi to lead the charge and making that happen,” said Cooper.
“Debbie Allen has been somebody that has been for our community since I was a child watching everything – she’s an icon,” said Mizrahi. “And combining her ‘iconicness’ with our ‘iconicness’ — we’re going to create something iconic for the good of art and for the good of culture.”
Mizrahi said anyone who attends the 2nd Annual Remember My Name Ball will get a real ballroom experience.
“This year we’re presenting the Battle of the Ultimate Houses, so you will see the likes of the House of Mugler…the House of Gucci, the iconic House of Ebony, the pioneering House of Ninja, just to name a few,” said Mizrahi. “They’ll be competing in five categories: face, sex siren, best-dressed, runway, vogue, and it’s a battle of supremacy.”
In addition to Cooper, Mizrahi and Allen, the celebrity judges for the Remember My Name Ball include Tina Knowles, Lena Waithe, and Billy Porter. The special honoree of the night’s festivities is Lee Daniels.
Mizrahi said the one house that’s left standing at the end will be the winner.
For more information on the 2nd Annual Remember My Name Ball, please visit www.debbieallendanceacademy.com. Must be 18 or over to attend.
