Fauxnique: "How Do I Look?"

As a queen at her finest, Fauxnique represents everyone’s desire to be seen for who they wish to be. Performing at On the Boards, Monique Jenkinson’s alter ego in How Do I Look? simply wants to know how the world sees her as she explores different parts of herself. From beginning to end, she wears elaborate outfits that showcase aspects of her identity, including dresses, capes, heels, and more. Her talent is unmistakable as she draws from a very real human experience that everyone will have at least once in their lives. How Do I Look? is a drag show built on acceptance and humanity through Monique’s audience interaction, comedy, set, and talent. 

At the beginning of the show, Fauxnique sat frozen in place, frequently changing positions as more people found their seats. She presented herself to the world, as everyone does every day. It felt like a nod for how people frequently want to know how others see them, putting on different faces or constantly changing positions. For me, it was validating to see it manifest on a stage alongside my fellow community. 

Soon, she began walking around the stage in wonder, looking at all her clothing options scattered across the stage. From capes to shoes to dresses, she tried on each article throughout the show. The dark atmosphere and intimate venue made us feel like we were in her mind, walking alongside her. The scattered clothes resonated greatly with me; as a young woman, I constantly wonder how I present to others and often feel overwhelmed by how messy my mind is. The chaotic element was a manifestation of this experience, making the show feel more relatable. 

Another aspect I enjoyed was her consistent communication with the audience. As she cycled through outfits, Fauxnique frequently asked us, “How do I look?” Instead of allowing us to voice our own thoughts, we repeated what she told us to say. We were her thoughts in those moments, a manifestation of her mind every day. It made the experience more intimate and real, both of which made the show a fantastic event. Additionally, she frequently made references to the queer community, both seriously and playfully. This was my first drag experience. Because of Fauxnique’s vulnerability, I felt more connected to the people around me, and it created a sense of safety and comfort. Her ability to poke fun at herself added another facet to an already colorful show—one that brought joy to everyone sitting in the cotton seats.

I was lucky enough to have a word with the star after the show. After she took photos with fans, I approached her and asked her what part of the performance was most meaningful to her. I wanted to know how she saw her own show, her own experience showing the audience a vast, universal experience. She enthusiastically replied with “[when I] was dancing on the stage […] and having a conversation with my director. [He] held the process for me, so that was really important” in reference to the mechanics of the show.

Fauxnique is a must-see for any drag-loving audience. Monique’s multi-faceted performance is engaging, personal, intimate, and human at its core. Her talent brings the show to a whole new level, along with her sets and costumes. I have never seen a show like this one, but I felt so seen, and my feelings came to life right before my eyes. It’s not very often events give me this experience, so I was very lucky to attend.

Lead photo: Fauxnique in How Do I Look? at On the Boards. Photo by Allina Yang.

The TeenTix Newsroom is a group of teen writers led by the Teen Editorial Staff. The Teen Editorial Staff is made up of 5 teens who curate the review portion of the TeenTix blog. For each review, Newsroom writers work individually with a teen editor to polish their writing for publication. 

The TeenTix Press Corps promotes critical thinking, communication, and information literacy through criticism and journalism practice for teens. For more information about the Press Corps program see HERE.