Cookie Diorio

Cookie Diorio is a Philadelphia-based drag artist, classically trained vocalist, songwriter, and theatrical storyteller whose work spans opera, cabaret, gospel, musical theater and glam-infused activism. Raised in historic Auburn, NY with gospel in her ears and civil rights in her blood, Cookie trained at Ithaca College (BM, MM), mastered walking in 5 inch stilettos in the nightclubs of Boston, and achieved her hair fantasy through vintage videos of Grace Bumbry.

A Barrymore Award nominee (Lola, Kinky Boots) and Associate Artist with the Bearded Ladies Cabaret, Cookie has performed at Joe’s Pub (Do You Want A Cookie?), the Kraine Theater (Fire In My Bones: A Gospel Jubilee), the Philly Fringe Festival, the Barnes Foundation, is a 15-year company member with Opera Philadelphia, premiered the role of “Oracle” in Andrea Clearfield’s “Beyond the Binary”, has given a TEDx talk at Rosetree, and is the mother of the House of Diorio.