Today we’d like to introduce you to Jules Elizabeth
Hi Jules, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I joined my local Rocky Horror Picture Show shadow cast in 2018 after attending one of the Halloween shows at Terrace Theater. Little did I know, this cult classic would completely change my life! I saw something beautiful and thought it could reach even more people who need it. A common phrase around these parts is “Rocky Horror saved my life.” This phrase speaks to the sense of community and belonging Rocky, and theater arts in general, provide for many people – especially those in minority groups. Rocky has become a safe haven for the LGBTQIA+ community, neurodivergents, and people as a whole who feel “different” from society. Come as you are, dress how you want, and all we expect in return is love and kindness in our venues, and toward our people. Our cast has grown over the years to the point of becoming a nonprofit, having our first official board meeting in July 2024. We seek to entertain you in an affirming space where you can be exactly who you want to be and dress however you want, free from judgement. “Don’t dream it…be it.” I’ve moved up the ranks over the years and had the honor of the cast being passed down to me by the founder in 2020. Our cast is 22 years old, and has been around in Charleston, SC since 2002. I’ve served as unofficial president since 2020, and now serve as official president of the board in 2024. It’s a true honor to serve my community and will fight in every way I can for people to have safe spaces.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As with anything you love, there’s often a fight involved. Before becoming a nonprofit, it was quite difficult to “steer the ship” toward a common goal, given the lack of official structure and leadership. Now that the structure is present by being an incorporated entity, and that we have a formal board of directors and leadership team, we can guide things much more easily with a clear mission. If you love something enough, every single bump in the road is worth it. I encourage any- and everyone to do what they love, and become a legal entity as needed to protect that passion. The hardest part has been finding a team of leaders who share in the core mission of protecting our cast, crew, audience members, and anyone who is associated with our group. Ensuring our safe space requires very special people with kind and compassionate hearts and outstanding morals. We are here to make a meaningful and positive change in the world, and finding the right people to serve alongside you is so vital. I am so proud of our team here at CAF and look forward to serving the Charleston area for many years to come. Here’s to another 22 years and beyond!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
We do a very special form of entertainment called “shadow casting,” which can be compared to community theater, drag, and improv. We lip sync and act out cult classic movies, such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show and The Princess Bride, complete with screen-accurate costumes, props, and set pieces. What sets us apart is how we take the stress away from arts as much as we possibly can. Many have stage fright, do not have money for expensive costumes, or think they aren’t good enough. We are here to break that all down and give absolutely everyone a chance to be the star they are. The fact that we not only love you for who you are, but celebrate your uniqueness, is something I’m very proud of. As for my favorite event we have ever done, it would have to be our big Barry Bostwick show last fall at Terrace Theater. We were able to host one of the original stars of 1975’s Rocky Horror, who played Brad Majors. We had a whole night of fun, complete with meet and greets, autographs, photo ops, an introduction and Q&A with Barry, our shadow cast performance, and so much more. Getting to see my cast family with one of their heroes was a moment I will treasure for the rest of my life. We make dreams happen here at CAF.
What are your plans for the future?
I am a BIG dreamer, and we are crossing off some major dreams in 2024! We have our first big Rocky Horror convention performance at this year’s inaugural Spooky Empire – Charleston (August 23-25). Getting to perform Rocky at a con with my cast has been a dream for about 5 years now. The fact we are here is mind-blowing. I’ve also recently accomplished a big personal dream of mine, which is to play Dr. Frank-N-Furter (originally played by the one and only Tim Curry) at the national Rocky Horror convention. Sure enough, I auditioned and got the part. I will be performing Frank (scenes Floorshow through the end of the movie) at this year’s national Rocky con in Pittsburgh, PA. The fact the directors from up north took a chance on this gal from SC means the world to me. As for a goal I have yet to accomplish: I’d love to join Barry Bostwick (Brad), Nell Campbell (Columbia), or Patricia Quinn (Magenta) on one of their tour shows. Here’s to not just dreaming it…but BEING it! A wonderful lesson (one of many) Rocky has taught me.
Pricing:
- $16/ticket
- https://www.terracetheater.com/movie/rocky-horror-picture-show
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.terracetheater.com/movie/rocky-horror-picture-show
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/charlestonsabsentfriends/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CharlestonsAbsentFriends
