Hello, my name is Victor Fiorillo, and I was the co-founder, manager, and pianist for The Martha Graham Cracker Cabaret, the beloved Philadelphia band fronted by Pig Iron Theatre Company co-founder Dito van Reigersberg, who performed as the drag queen Martha Graham Cracker. We performed together for more than 20 years, selling out houses all over the country, in Europe, and, of course, here in Philadelphia, where Martha Graham Cracker shows became legendary. Sadly, as noted by The New York Times, Dito passed away in June 2026 due to complications from leukemia treatments. Thusly, Martha Graham Cracker has taken her final bow. Or is it curtsey?

While Philadelphia has been left with a tremendous void in light of Dito's passing, Dito and Martha helped build and support an amazing drag and cabaret community in Philadelphia, and I want to make sure that community has what it needs to grow, thrive, and continue in its excellence. Therefore, I have created The Martha Graham Cracker Scholarship Fund, which will be used to issue micro-grants and other funding to members of the Philadelphia drag and cabaret community through a simple application process, with grants being decided by committee.

Prior to launching the scholarship GoFundMe, I raised $5,000 in seed money, and I will be using some of this money to issue micro-grants to drag and cabaret performers who are taking part in the 2026 Philadelphia Fringe Festival. I'll then be expanding the reach of these grants outside of the festival, to the community at large. Arts funding is incredibly difficult — especially in this current climate — so anything really helps.

Very special thanks to our inaugural set of Martha Graham Cracker Scholarship Fund sponsors: William Reed (Standard Tap/Johnny Brenda's), Chris Fetzfatzes (WineDive/Sonny's Cocktail Joint/Grace & Proper), Casey Parker (the Pistola restaurants and Troubles End Brewing Company), Bob & Barbara's (home of the longest-running drag show in Philadelphia), Robert Cassell (Millstone Spirits Group / Kinsey Whiskey, Faber Vodka, Single Prop Rum, Theobald & Oppenheimer), Sandi Foxx-Jones (The Abstract Company), Banter PR (a public relations agency with grit), Mark Bee (Silk City/Franky Bradley's), Plantie Mame (aka The Diva of Dirt), and The Clam Tavern (the best restaurant in Delco).

The public GoFundMe for the Martha Graham Cracker Scholarship Fund launched on August 6th. Applications are now open for the first round of Martha Graham Cracker Scholarship Fund $500 micro-grants. The deadline is August 24th. Awardees will be decided by committee on September 1st with funds awarded shortly thereafter.