Mother Camp: Female Impersonators in America
'Mother Camp' by Esther Newton delves into the world of female impersonators in America, exploring their professional lives, community bonds, and the artistry of drag performance. Based on in-depth fieldwork, it reveals the cultural significance of this unique subculture within the broader landscape of American entertainment.
About This Book
Esther Newton's 'Mother Camp: Female Impersonators in America' provides a detailed examination of the subculture surrounding female impersonation in the United States. Drawing from ethnographic research, the book explores the professional and personal experiences of performers known as 'drag queens.'
The work highlights the skills, challenges, and community aspects of this performance art form. Newton documents the environments where these artists work, from nightclubs to pageants, offering a window into a vibrant yet often marginalized world.
Through interviews and observations, the book addresses themes of identity, gender expression, and societal perceptions. It serves as an important contribution to understanding cultural practices in American entertainment history.
Published in the 1970s, 'Mother Camp' remains a foundational text in studies of gender and performance, reflecting on the intricacies of impersonation as both vocation and expression.
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