WERK OUT!, 2019. Performed during HOLD FAST Performance Festival, St.John's, NL, Canada.

​First performed in Bannerman Park for HOLD FAST Performance Festival in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, WERK OUT! is a series of 20-minute workout classes taught by The Queer Mummer, alter-ego of Lucas Morneau, as well as The Queer Crew, T’ing Number 1 (performed by Bailey MacPhee) and T’ing Number 2 (performed by Santiago Guzman). The Queer Mummer, as fitness leader, is dress in 1980s-inspired workout gear, dawning a mask with a full set of hair referencing the Mount Pearl Curl, an infamous hairstyle popular in Newfoundland during the 80s.  
 
 The series of workouts are heavily inspired by camp icon and workout guru Richard Simmons. WERK OUT! use songs by Canadian band and queer icons Rough Trade, and feature sensual body moves such as hip trusting, butt slapping, and flexing.
 
“WERK OUT! came about due to the fact that I’ve been hearing people say lately that they, ‘Don’t mind queer people, they just don’t want to see in public’. In response, my first thought was, ‘Too bad, I have to see you enjoying your heterosexual life all around me, so why can’t I be queer in public?’. This led me to think of ways to queer public space while making it approachable to everyone. Dancing your butt off to queer 80s music seemed like the perfect answer”.


Special thanks to Cox & Palmer, Santiago Guzman , and Bailey MacPhee for the support.