Ricky Paul (photo by Al Wachlin, Jr.)Ricky Paul has always embraced the counter culture through performance, expressing outrage and misery through comic conventions like parody and satire. In 1996, he combined his background as an AIDS & queer rights activist with years of improvisational and environmental performing in Children’s Theatre and Murder Mystery Companies as well as a fondness for camp and drag shows to create a truly unique vehicle: The Dumpsta Players-now appearing in their own weekly TV show on Drexel University’s DUTV, channel 54, every Thursday at 11pm.
The Dumpsta Players, currently in their 12th year, 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!
Check out the Dumpsta Players Video Machine below! Here’s an example of our use of parody and comic wit: A Very Mommie Dearest Christmas!