LAVENDER — Virginia and Minnesota might seem like they’re worlds apart, but for Renata and Emi Nijiya, they couldn’t be more connected.
Renata grew up in Richmond, Virginia and attended Longwood University where she studied theater performance. After school, she moved to Minneapolis to work as a costume designer where she has worked in a number of theaters as both a designer and actor. She was also a company member of Ballet of the Dolls and eventually discovered her passion for burlesque dancing, which she continues performing today as Queenie von Curves. After a brief stint as a vegan butcher—she really has tried everything—Renata began working as a box office manager for Theater Latté Da at the Ritz Theater.
Emi, on the other hand, is all Minnesotan. After growing up on Ham Lake and attending Blaine High School, Emi went to Concordia College where they studied music for a year before transferring to St. Cloud State University to study business management. They went on to a tattooing apprenticeship after college and is now an owner of Jackalope Tattoo in South Minneapolis. Emi has also been performing as a drag king for nearly 15 years as Damien D’Luxe. Additionally, Emi is a cast member with #dragrevolution at LUSH and performs around the state at other venues.
