STAFF AND STORYTELLERS
Yun-Hee Proffit, Executive Director
Yun-Hee Proffit has worked within the non-profit sector in New York City for over fifteen years. From acting as Co-Director of Nodutdol for Korean Community Development, to overseeing programming at Creative Art Works and Arts & Democracy Project, they continuously strive to unify the arts, education, and equity building. They are an active member of Artists Co-Creating Real Equity (New York, NY) and a trainer with People's Institute for Survival and Beyond (New Orleans, LA), both of which work to undo systemic racism and intersectional inequities. Yun-Hee is currently a board member of Artbuilt, NY and Skylar Storage Project.
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Sanina Clark, Program Director
Sanina L. Clark is a nonbinary, speculative fiction editor and drag artist with a background in journalism, theatre and childhood literacy. They are the editor of Out of Salem by Hal Schrieve (longlisted for the 2019 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature) and the creator of the Black Dawn Series under AK Press, a speculative novella series. Under their drag name, Noctua, they model, cosplay and voice act. They were the winner of the 2018 Miss Piggy Pageant and are the producer of Grippy Sock—a mental health awareness show. Their choreography has been featured in music videos, Bushwig, and the Mr. Coney Island pageant. Their bookcase is filled with YA, fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, horror, plays and queer literature. They REALLY love cats.
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Harmonica Sunbeam
Harmonica Sunbeam, the Comedy Queen, has been delighting audiences at nightclubs, cabarets, fundraising events, and supermarket openings throughout the United States and abroad for over 29 years. Since the inception of DSH NYC, Miss Sunbeam has been featured in the New York Times and interviewed for a now-viral video on Buzzfeed. She is also the North Jersey coordinator of Drag Queen Story Hour.
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​​​​Ash Blight, Storyteller
Ash Blight (they/them) is an artist, educator, and non-binary drag performer. They are passionate about the revolutionary power of drag as an art form, storytelling medium, and teaching tool for learners of all ages. When they're not teaching art classes in Brooklyn's public schools and parks, you might be able to find them sharing words and rituals on stages across the city as Ash Blight.
Yuhua Hamasaki, Storyteller Coordinator
Always 25-years-old, Yuhua Hamasaki is a fun and campy queen from New York City! Yuhua’s drag character is her own invention of her superhero that has given her courage, confidence, and happiness. She especially loves to explore the city and be creative during her spare time!
Miz Jade, Storyteller
Miz Jade (She/They) is a trans Black queer drag performer, event host, and professional dancer. A queen known for her teaching, activism, and quick wit, she’s bound to gag you and turn the party. Known throughout NYC, Miz Jade has been described as fierce, sophisticated, and full of surprises.
Oliver The Place, Storyteller
Oliver The Place (he/they) is a non-binary, trans masc Puerto Rican drag king from NY! He is a high energy punk performer who travels all throughout the sewers of New York City. He was formerly a day care teacher and has a passion for working with children and education about what it means to be queer and trans. He is a cartoon villain and a storyteller at heart! He loves using color and strong shapes to push the boundaries of masculine and feminine.
Bella Noche, Storyteller
Bella Noche, New York's premiere mermaid drag queen, lures onlookers in with her fantastical spark of color, creativity and charisma. A staple of the New York City and Long Island drag scenes, as well as a leader in LGBTQ+ community programs, Bella is a queen for all audiences who aims to bring love and laughter wherever she goes. Regularly performing outside of the Northeast multiple times a year, her work now includes fundraising for VFW posts and a number of local community centers. With a heart as full as the ocean and the combination of both beauty and brains, you'll become part of her world before you know it, hook line and sinker.
Flame, Storyteller
Flame is an indigenous 2 spirit person of Ecuadorian descent, who is well known in NYC and Queens for their activism and mutual aid support. They are a community leader at the forefront of fighting for equity and queer, trans, nonbinary immigrants. They are also a drag queen, peer educator, motivational speaker, hairstylist, and world traveler. Flame does DSH NYC readings in Spanish and Engilish and is currently learning several other languages. Flame's life goal is to spread the message of love, equality, and unity for all.
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Double, Storyteller
Created on a fibrous planet where everything is made of fabric, yarn and googly eyes, Double (any pronouns) came to Earth through a portal in a pillow fort. Ever since, they have been committed to making the art of drag more accessible, and are most passionate about sharing trans joy through art. A genderqueer, Jewish, fibers artist, art teacher, and Drag Muppet, Double is best known for their work producing Lil Park Drag Show, which centers trans and non-binary drag kings and things. The outdoor summertime community drag show series was founded by Double as a teenager in their hometown of New York City. Double is thrilled to be working as a storyteller and facilitator with DSH NYC, so they can continue to share the liberatory power of drag and encourage art making and gender exploration in all its forms.
Lori Lu, Storyteller
Lori Lu is a Mexican Drag Queen and singer based in NYC who is committed to educating families and children about gender and family diversity. She started the first Drag Queen Story Hour in Mexico and organized more chapters throughout the rest of Mexico. Now Lori Lu works as a storyteller in NYC. She also leads DSH bilingual readings and works performing throughout New York City in and out of drag.
Bad News Bear, Storyteller
Bad News Bear (he/they/dude) has been a drag performer, both Queen & King, for over 6 years bringing his punky-clown persona all over New York and beyond. They are passionate about trans & queer storytelling being represented and made available to kids and adults of all ages. In addition to dude's work with DSH NYC, Bad News Bear is involved in promoting all-ages drag and has worked at a summer camp for queer kids teaching them all about drag and helping them create their own drag characters.
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