Press Bio

For high resolution photos please contact Ricky Paul or Cathy Heard

The Dumpsta Players are a monthly-themed interactive improvisational theatre experience that parodies society's joys and ills in an irreverent and over-the-top style. Dumpsta was chosen as a name because the company recycles costumes, actors, characters, and comic bits month after month. Dumpsta also brings to mind the trashy nature of our performing -- drag queens, genderfuck, and all walks of life come together and express joy, rage and general chaos through live mic and lipsynched sketches once a month!

The man behind The Dumpsta Players is Ricky Paul, a 40-year-old actor, DJ, and activist and the group is a product of these passions. He has a lengthy background in musical theater (Michael Ogborn's Box Office of The Damned and C'est La Guerre) as well as the underground scene. His DJ life began in 1990 as a guest DJ and performer at the traveling Vagabond parties featuring the likes of King Britt and Josh Wink. Billing himself as DJ K-Tell, he was among the first in the city to adopt cheesy, nostalgic classics from the 70s and 80s.

In 1996, he brought his Carpenters and disco records, club friends, and fellow actors to Bob and Barbara's. People would hear a song that they liked and feel inspired to throw on a costume and lipsync. In April of 1997, The Dumpsta Players were born, debuting with "Prom Trash," an annual event that invites audience members to compete to win the title of Miss Prom Trash. For several years,the reigning champion was 60s-era drag queen and Bob and Barbara's regular Miss Billa, who passed away last year.

The group attracts a wide range of actors, some professional, most of them not. Past and current performers include a doctor, lawyer, bank vice president, a fashion designer, as well as the late Axi Nue (Broken Hipsters, Ladyfest Philly, Red Skate Red) Sherman Arts' promoter Rich Wexler, Direct From New York City's Earl Dax, DJ Chatty Cathy Heard, Philly Rollergirl Trishy Gdowik, writer/blogger Freddy Shelley, and Plain Parade booker and music critic Sara Sherr, who presented a paper on the group at the 2005 Pop Conference at the Experience Music Project in Seattle.

In 1998, The Dumpsta Players performed for the Reject Film Festival with John Waters in the audience. That same year, they shared the main stage of the Trocadero Theater with Joey Arias, Sherry Vine, and Raven O. Staying true to its activist roots, the group participated in benefits for Media Tank, The Sara Weaver Memorial Fund, and even performed for senior citizens at various Assisted Living homes. In 2004, The Dumpsta Players won Best Drag at the Philadelphia June Pride Parade.