Drag & Perspective

Drag can make an artist out of all of us. Just as painting and sculpture can be taught, so too can the performance art of Drag honed into satire, entertainment, and critique.

Having a perspective doesn't mean a manifesto or consistency in branding, or anything else that puts you in a box. Instead, it's about believing in what you have to say and performing with confidence. Do you have serious gripes with patriarchy, or is "men are trash" a convenient shortcut? Drag Kings sometimes monologue as men, injecting comedy but mostly using their paint to make social commentary about misogyny.

We don't always consider this alongside the glamorous world of rhinestones & feathers, but it holds a valued place in the Drag canon. An apt deconstruction of manhood can educate and provide catharsis, but a joke about how men make overt sexual comments to strangers with the punchline being ... taking out a dildo and waving it at audience members, simply recreates the uncomfortable situation being critiqued. If you have a political message make sure it's one that can fuel an entire performance, one you can defend, and one that will withstand judgement and stage fright. Even if this is a "do it scared" situation, it's worth it to believe wholeheartedly in what you have to say.

Not all Drag is so political, but the performance of gender will always carry baggage. It you are performing Queen Drag in ripped tights, a short leopard print dress, and a blacked out tooth, what are you saying about women? About working-class women? Is the joke her accent, her stupidity, the movement of her silicone breasts? How is your performance distinct from stereotypes about women being unintelligent, and only useful for sexual gratification? It cam be easy to get the confidence to perform something like this to a crowd of men, who might find the spectacle of such a thing hilarious. But can you defend this, that when you vacation as a woman it's at their expense? If a woman who genuinely looked like that watched your show and was hurt by it, would you stand by your performance?

This is what is meant by having a "point of view" - you do not disappear when you put on a mug and costume, so producing work that reflects your values is vital. What is it you want to express that can't be communicated by other art forms? How can you be more entertianing than a painting or an essay? Who has come before you, do you want to pay homage or break the mould entirely?

This is a concept that should inform your Drag once you are at a more intermediate point in your Drag career. New talent will always be welcomed with open arms, but after gaining experience it is worthwhile to meaningfully connect to Drag as an artform.

Investing intellectually in Drag can offer clever ways gender can be explored and subverted on stage. Putting a spin on an old classic is a great way to delight your audience, or flexing your creative imagination to introduce new concepts to Drag is a great way to grow both as an artist, and your local scene at large. What characters or people from history are less depicted in the Drag scene? Do you have a passion that can be "dragged" up with rhinestones, glitter, and a backing track?

When finding a niche, confidence will take you far but knowing your audience is crucial. Attention is a two way street in Drag - you will receive applause and admiration, but in return, the audience want to be in on the joke. When prioritising entertainment and audience enjoyment, tailor your act to the theme of the show, the venue, and the audience demographic. For example, a seated lesbin-themed cabaret populated mostly by older women will require a different number than a Recession themed night at a club. Prop work & floorwork is best utilised when the whole crowd cn see you, and loud bss-hevy dance anthems are better suited to an elaborate sound system and a tipsy audience.

Sometimes an act can be innovative, hilarious, and referential - but only a certain generation or demographic will understand it. Don't be afraid to plan acts for gigs you haven't booked, so they are locked and loaded when the right audience, venue, and show can appreciate your talent.

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