We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Vegas Mace. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Vegas below.

Hi Vegas, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I first watched The Rocky Horror Picture Show about three and a half years ago during a sleepover with a college friend. At the time, I identified as cisgender and was in a heterosexual relationship with my high school sweetheart. Yet, deep down, I’d always felt that something about me was different—I just didn’t have the language or experiences to fully understand it. When I watched the movie, it was like a lightbulb went off. For the first time, I realized that gender and sexuality weren’t black-and-white concepts.

A few months later, I attended my first live shadow cast performance with The Michigan Rocky Horror Preservation Society, and it reignited something in me. I fell in love with the movie all over again, but this time, I also saw how incredible the community surrounding it could be. I submitted an application to join the cast almost immediately, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. At the time, I didn’t have the best home life, but being part of the cast gave me a family—a safe, welcoming space where I could fully express myself, embrace my queerness, and feel unashamed.

Every show I’ve been part of holds deep meaning for me, whether I’m meeting fans, watching my castmates perform, or stepping onto the stage myself. But one of the most meaningful projects has been our regular appearances at Pride events.

Connecting with others at Pride—especially those who share similar stories of finding themselves through Rocky Horror—is an indescribable feeling. Meeting elder queers who found safe spaces through fan clubs and shadow casts fills me with hope for my own future. And now, being in a position to create that same sense of safety and belonging for younger members of the LGBTQ+ community is an incredible honor.

Rocky Horror didn’t just help me figure out who I am—it gave me the courage to live my most authentic life. Being part of this community has been a gift, and I’m endlessly grateful to play a role in continuing its legacy of inclusivity, creativity, and queer joy!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Vegas Mace, and I’m a 22-year-old shadowcaster based in Wayne, Michigan. I’ve performed The Rocky Horror Picture Show with multiple casts across various theaters, including the Capitol Theatre in Flint, the Wharton Center in Lansing, and even the Fisher Theatre in Detroit. I’ve even had the opportunity to perform with two of the original performers from the film—Barry Bostwick (Brad Majors) and Patricia Quinn (Magenta). My home theater, however, is the State Wayne Theatre in Wayne, Michigan, where I perform on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month with my main cast, the Michigan Rocky Horror Preservation Society.

For those unfamiliar with what shadowcasters do, we mimic films playing on a screen behind us while lip-syncing and dancing live in screen-accurate costumes, accompanied with sets and props. The most popular choice for shadowcasting is The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which started this unique tradition nearly 50 years ago. My cast formed in May 2013 and has since performed hundreds of shows. We’re also proud to be an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

I joined the cast in February 2022 after watching just one performance and instantly knowing I had to be a part of it. After submitting a single application, I was in! I started behind the scenes working lights and crew, then gradually moved on to performing as a Transylvanian (a background ensemble character). For our Pride Show that year, I was cast as Brad Majors. That character quickly became my main role, and I ended up performing as Brad in nearly every show for the rest of that year. Now, just a few years later, I’ve had the privilege of playing over half the characters in the cast with my most recognizable role being Dr. Frank N Furter.

What truly sets our cast apart are our themed shows. We reimagine the costuming to fit the theme—while keeping it true to the characters and movie—and create themed props and preshow performances to match. Some of my favorite themes include our Mardi Gras show, the Wild and Untamed West show, and an upcoming show I’m especially excited about: Emo Nite, which I am planning and running myself!

As a cast that is both queer-founded and queer-run, we offer more than just a high-energy, immersive show—we provide a safe and welcoming space for members of the LGBTQ+ community. I’ve truly found myself through this cast, and I know others have had similar experiences, whether as performers or audience members. This is what I’m most proud of. The Rocky Horror Picture Show resonated deeply with the gay community in the 1970s, offering a groundbreaking sense of representation through Tim Curry’s performance as Dr. Frank-N-Furter. While the film is dated in some ways, its impact endures, and I’m honored to carry on its legacy of self-expression and inclusivity.

In August 2022, I began posting Rocky Horror-themed TikToks and Instagram reels. What started as a fun side hobby quickly grew into something much bigger. Since then, countless people have reached out to share their own experiences with the film and what it means to them. Knowing that my content brings comfort and joy to others is an indescribable feeling, and it’s made me realize the power of connecting through shared passions.

Through shadowcasting and social media, I’ve found a platform to celebrate individuality, creativity, and community. Whether it’s on stage or online, I strive to connect with others and share the magic of Rocky Horror. What sets my work apart isn’t just the performances themselves, but the opportunity to create a space where everyone—especially members of the LGBTQ+ community—feels seen, accepted, and celebrated. I’m proud to be part of this incredible tradition, and I hope to inspire others to embrace who they are, whether that’s through shadowcasting, enjoying a show, or simply finding joy in the connections we make along the way.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One of the largest challenges I’ve faced during my time as a Rocky Horror shadowcaster has been dealing with significant medical struggles over the past two years. In April 2023, I experienced a total collapse of my left lung, requiring a major surgery. I was told the chances of it collapsing again were very low—only for it to happen again eight months later. After a second surgery, I was diagnosed with emphysema. I spent that Christmas in the hospital and the New Year recovering.

Getting back to performing after such intense health setbacks was incredibly difficult. I had always been known for my high-energy performances, and I feared I wouldn’t be able to live up to my former self. But throughout this journey, my cast has been with me every step of the way. I never spent a single day alone in the hospital, and I had constant support during my recovery. Even today, as I continue to manage my health, my Rocky Horror family remains my biggest support system.

When my cast says they’re inclusive, they truly mean it. I’ve never once felt less than or like a weaker performer due to my diagnosis. Even on my hardest days, when I can’t give 100%, my cast always lifts me up, giving me the strength to keep pushing and doing what I love. No matter what you’re going through, you can find a place here.

How did you build your audience on social media?

My journey on social media has been relatively straightforward. I’ve always had an online presence, but I started posting Rocky Horror content specifically about two years ago. From there, my audience found me almost immediately, and I quickly gained a following.

Many influencers give the same advice about making high-quality, engaging content—and that’s important—but my advice is to find a niche and stick with it. It’s easy to get caught up in following the latest trends, but if you’re just doing what everyone else is, it’s hard to stand out. Trend-based content can be easy to make, but it’s often oversaturated. Find what makes you unique and build on that. People will connect with what makes you different, and form a personal connection to you.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vegas.mace/profilecard/?igsh=NXprNWIzMXlkZTV5
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@vegasmace?si=U6LfdxpOkp0IFaTG
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@vegasmace?_t=ZP-8sF2Ku9IucA&_r=1

Image Credits

All photographs were taken by The Michigan Rocky Horror Preservation Society.