I’m not a drag queen, but I’m married to one and I thought I could offer some advice to new or budding queens after seeing what Vivian learned and experienced when she first started performing in drag. However, before I get into the actual tips, I thought I should make an umbrella statement which all the tips that follow fall under. Drag is NOT cheap, I repeat NOT cheap. If you want to excel at this art form, you will need to invest money and in some cases, a lot of money. Yes, you read that correct in the last sentence. Drag is an art form and not just as easy as putting on a dress and performing, even though that can be a from of drag in itself. Here are 10 helpful tips for new queens:
1. Drag Is Time Consuming – Performing drag isn’t just about the time you spend performing. There is the time you spend preparing for that performance along with all the time you will spend learning how to paint. And don’t forget the time you spend out and about supporting other queens.
2. Support Other Queens – Drag is more than just building one’s fan base. It’s about supporting not only the LGBTQ community, but more specifically the drag community and your fellow drag queens. If you aren’t performing in a show, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be out supporting those who are. When drag queens support one another, it helps the art of drag grow in acceptance and respect.
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3. Perform In Benefits – Just as you should be out supporting other drag queens, you should be out supporting the community as a whole. Never pass on performing in a benefit, schedules permitting. Yes, most benefits won’t pay a booking fee, but money shouldn’t be your only motivation. Performing in benefits gives you stage time and lets you improve your art form.
4. Invest In Your Drag – When you first start out, you may not be able to invest a lot in your drag, but as you begin to perform more and possibly make some money, take the time to invest back in some good quality makeup and brushes. In the long run, it will end up saving you money.
5. Be Respectful – No matter how good you think you are, always show respect to those queens that have come before you. If it wasn’t for them, you might not be able to do what you hopefully love to do. Also, remember to be respectful to those that have come to see you perform.
6. Continue To Learn – never think you have nothing to left to learn. In any art form there is always some new style or technique one can learn to challenge themselves and improve their art. Drag is always changing and you shouldn’t be afraid of that change.
7. Know Your Lyrics – When you perform, you should know your lyrics. In my opinion, there is nothing worse than seeing a drag queen who does not know their lyrics. Knowing your lyrics is a requirement of that job. If you didn’t do your day job, you would be fired. Why should drag be any different?
8. Be On Time – This is a big one. If you are asked to be someplace at a certain time, be there at that time. If you advertise that your show is going to start at a specific time, start at the advertised time. Waiting for a drag show is not fun. This ties back into being respectful.
5. Be Respectful – No matter how good you think you are, always show respect to those queens that have come before you. If it wasn’t for them, you might not be able to do what you hopefully love to do. Also, remember to be respectful to those that have come to see you perform.
6. Continue To Learn – never think you have nothing to left to learn. In any art form there is always some new style or technique one can learn to challenge themselves and improve their art. Drag is always changing and you shouldn’t be afraid of that change.
7. Know Your Lyrics – When you perform, you should know your lyrics. In my opinion, there is nothing worse than seeing a drag queen who does not know their lyrics. Knowing your lyrics is a requirement of that job. If you didn’t do your day job, you would be fired. Why should drag be any different?
8. Be On Time – This is a big one. If you are asked to be someplace at a certain time, be there at that time. If you advertise that your show is going to start at a specific time, start at the advertised time. Waiting for a drag show is not fun. This ties back into being respectful.
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9. Paint Your Own Face – In the beginning, take time to learn how to paint your own face. Yes, it may take you longer to have a face you are happy with. I think it took Vivian almost a full year before she was happy with how she painted. I have seen too many queens rely on others to paint their face, and scramble to learn or find someone else when said queen is not available or there is some sort of a falling out.
10. Drag Is Addictive – No I don’t perform, but I am involved in planning costumes and routines. Drag is addictive! As much as you think it won’t be, it will get into your blood. You will begin to think about it more times than not, and want to know what queens are performing and where. It can slowly take over your life if you allow it.
10. Drag Is Addictive – No I don’t perform, but I am involved in planning costumes and routines. Drag is addictive! As much as you think it won’t be, it will get into your blood. You will begin to think about it more times than not, and want to know what queens are performing and where. It can slowly take over your life if you allow it.
As I stated in the beginning, these are just some tips I noticed when Vivian first started performing. Some may or may not apply to you, but if I can leave you with one final tip it would be this: always remember to have fun. It will show in your art form if you’re not having fun. Good luck!
