Thorgy Thor

Thorgy Thor is a New York City–based drag performance artist, entertainer, musician, and event host. Since appearing on the eighth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race and the third season of RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars, Thorgy has been travelling the world, bringing to audiences her trademark wit, sense of humour, and musical charm.

Thorgy uses unconventional recording materials and music to create unique performances for theatre, film, cabaret, and nightlife entertainment. She is an explosive performer who loves to lip-sync just as much as create collaborative performance art that combines drag, music, and comedy.

In 2018, the show “Thorgy and the Thorchestra” was created in collaboration with Canadian conductor Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, making its debut with Symphony Nova Scotia in Halifax in conjunction with Halifax Pride, with two nights of sold-out performances to rave reviews. The show blends orchestral performances of traditional and modern classical repertoire and contemporary pop songs. The creation and debut of “Thorgy and the Thorchestra” was featured as part of Disruptor Conductor, Sharon Lewis’s 2019 documentary film about conductor Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, which highlighted his creative collaboration with Thorgy.

Since then, Thorgy has taken the “Thorchestra” program to audiences around the globe. She has performed in the U.S. with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, and the Seattle Symphony, and in Canada with the Vancouver, Edmonton, Kitchener-Waterloo, Saskatoon, and Regina symphony orchestras and the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Additionally, she has had the pleasure of playing violin with many recording artists including New York legend Joey Arias, as well as having appeared in performance at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Le Poisson Rouge.

Thorgy Thor is the stage name for Shane Galligan. He began his classical violin studies at a young age. Galligan studied music at the University of Hartford, Hartt School, in Connecticut before graduating from the State University of New York, Purchase, with a Bachelor of Music in both viola and violin performance in 2006. While undertaking studies at the Hartt School and Purchase Conservatory, Thorgy also earned an honorary degree in Drag Ridiculousness, performing her original works of art entitled Maitri and Pocket to Pocket. Thorgy also starred in theatre productions such as Bad Splices and Psycho Beach Party.

Thorgy has appeared on Amazon’s Mozart in the Jungle, where she showcased her violin skills in drag. Thorgy has also been a repeat guest on Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live, appearing alongside Goldie Hawn, Amy Schumer, Lily Tomlin, and Jane Fonda. She was also a special guest performer as part of Eliot Glazer’s Haunting Renditions in 2017. Further television credits include Dragnificent! on TLC and Hulu.

As a part of multiple “Haters Roast” and other comedy tours, Thorgy established herself as a comedic powerhouse in the world of drag. Thorgy’s comedic prowess also secured her role in a new musical, Oh My God Broadway, which debuted in 2018, alongside Sally Struthers and Bonnie Milligan.

Moving to Brooklyn in 2006, Thorgy featured in nightclubs, theatre projects, street performances, and photo series throughout Brooklyn and New York City. She has since been nominated for numerous awards including the Glam Awards, Get Out Awards, Odyssey Magazine Awards, and the Brooklyn Nightlife Awards, winning the “Brooklyn Legend” award and taking home Best Group Show of the Year.