10 Things Every Aspiring Drag Queen Must Know
Drag is more than just slapping on a face, slipping into a frock and sashaying on stage. So if you want to succeed in it, you need to know what it really takes to be one.
But don’t fret, drag is not to be taken too seriously. It’s an art form, after all.
As a fellow drag queen myself with a decade of experience and plenty of friends in the industry, allow me to enlighten you on what drag is all about.
“You can make a fine living in a pair of heels…”
— Mitzi Del Bra, Priscilla: Queen of the Desert
It’s not just about being on stage
Drag is a multi-faceted art form; it’s not just blending makeup art and costuming, but also understanding sound production, hairstyling, choreography and gasbagging on a microphone. At times, that involves dealing with unruly audience members.
You must also understand branding, especially if you want to make your drag a business. Your personality essentially becomes your brand, which you project in everything you do. Not just on stage, but also through mingling with the audience and interacting with potential contractees.
But noone is expecting you to know all this straight away. It’s gonna take time to build up your knowledge on all the facets of drag. You can’t eat an elephant in one bite, but you can eat it all if you take your time.
It’s a social industry
If you’re getting into drag with the hopes of flying solo, think again. While there are a few drag queens who have created a great name for themselves and have the capacity to actually fly solo, nearly all of them don’t. They build their own bespoke clan, their own special clique.
When you get into drag and start getting your name out there (going to amateur nights and the like) be sure to build your network. Make friends with other drag queens. This is not just to help you learn from the best, but to even work with the best. Networking brings you closer to that elusive big break. It only takes that one queen to notice your talent and offer you a spot on an upcoming show.
After all, it’s not just about what you know, but who you know.
Don't do it for the attention
If you’re getting into drag because you want to be as famous as those queens on Ru Paul’s Drag Race, then I implore you to reconsider. Attention is great, but it doesn't teach you anything. It doesn’t offer you anything sustainable.
Drag is a specialised art form, affording you the platform to share your wild ideas. It’s a place to have fun and be a little daring. You have the opportunity to revel in your creativity. Enjoy the attention, of course, but don’t yearn for it. All it offers is good feels and nothing else.
You are the face of the gay community
Over the past half century, drag has become a big part of the rainbow community. It began simply to challenge the idea of normal, while championing the different colours that exist in this wide and wavering world.
As a drag queen, it’s important to consider yourself a face of the gay community. While you may be your own boss, you are still part of this franchise. That means you may need to be more than just a crowd pleaser.
Straight people love it, too
Drag has blossomed into a curious artefact over the past decade. So, thanks to the growing acceptance among the straight community, you may find yourself performing for those who don’t sit in with the gay community. And this can work to your advantage.
At this moment in time, straight people are already wowed enough by the elaborate costumes. You’ve got their attention already. But because the gay community has seen drag already, you will have a tougher time bringing them to attention.
You may need to educate
The downside with performing for straight people is you may need to educate them. Whether it’s the protocols one must adhere to in the presence of a queen or breaking down labels and misconceptions.
You may, at times, have to deal with those who are slightly averse to drag queening, and this comes about because the husband or wife brings them to your show.
My advice is to be as candid and respectful as you can be. Don’t beat around the bush; they can tell when your being reserved.
You can't please everyone
Drag is an art form and, like any form, everyone has their own preferences on it. Whether it’s how girly your face looks, if you’re wearing too much makeup, not enough makeup, if your wig ain’t high enough and then some. Heck, some people prefer pop songs than ballads.
But just remember that there will be someone out there who likes it, provided you’ve done it well and provided you’ve put a bit of effort into it.
In saying that, I highly recommend getting creative and changing it up every once and a while. Do a ballad, add some dialogue, accentuate your face more or tone it down. A good drag queen doesn’t stick to the same thing forever. A good drag queen is talented in more ways than one.
It takes time to find that break
When you get into drag, it may take at least a year or two to get a decent break in the industry. And it will take a few more years to build yourself up into a reputable queen. And you’ve gotta be okay with that.
If you really love drag, you will put in the hard yards.
As I’ve noted, you’ve gotta open yourself up to the queens around you. Once they see how genuine you are, then your closer to finding that break. Whether it’s filling in for someone when they’re sick or being asked to perform at an upcoming gig. Perhaps there’s one queen who needs another backup dancer in a number.
The opportunities will come in time.
Don't follow others, be yourself
Getting into drag is essentially the same as finding a new personality. What kind of brand do you want to convey?
The way you present yourself is important, and it cannot be replicated. The only time you should replicate is if you want to cosplay or pay tribute to your favourite celebrity. But for the love of God, please do not copy another queen’s face. The main reason for this is because your face is completely different to theirs.
Indeed, you should learn all the aspects of makeup, from blending to drawing on eyebrows, but you need to learn what angles work with your face.
And most of all, you need to be yourself. It’s your drag personality, make it what you will.
Enjoy the ride
And finally, do not forget to enjoy the ride. Drag is a fabulous business to get into. The journey you take will be long, but it doesn’t have to be completely serious all the time. Laugh at your silly mistakes, be wild with your creative ideas and mingle with the best people you’ll ever meet.
There will be times when you need to be serious, and you’ll know when they arise. But live a little, darling!
It’s an art form after all…
