You Want Advice? Really?

So, you’re a “New Gurl” in the DragWorld and there are quite a couple of performers that you look up to.  You look to them for style and guidance and you ask a lot of questions….but then comes the dreaded one that is so open ended and fraught with disaster:  “what advice would you give me?”

Do you REALLY want the answer to that question?  I mean, it’s a loaded question and way too subjective.  It is, however, the most common question (if you don’t count “will you paint my face?”)

I have to ask the first question - Why are you doing Drag?

A.  Do you want to just play around and have fun now and then?

If this is the case IGNORE EVERYTHING and just go have fun.  If your whole purpose is to play in the makeup and throw on some tits to go run around the club – go play and have a great time.  Ignore all the advice you’ve ever been given, go dancing and have a gay-good-time!!

B.  Do you want Drag to be your career?

This is certainly not going to be a comprehensive answer, but here’s a cliff notes version as I see it.

Like any other job, AND THIS IS A JOB, you have to work at it.  No one starts out as a Taco Bell Manager – you have to work your way up to it after slinging bean-burritos for a few years.  In short, you have to pay your dues and do a lot of crap-work.  Start at the bottom and get ready to pull some long hours doing things you might never do otherwise. 

Find someone you admire and offer to become their permanent dresser in exchange for a chance to work with them.  You might even get a chance to do a number in a show they’re booked in now and then – you’ll learn how to do hair, sew a zipper, get changed FAST and what kind of music the kids like.  You’ll also probably get into most clubs for free and not have to pay for a lot of your drinks – BUT REMEMBER TO TIP EVERYONE AND DON’T GET DRUNK!  This is still a job and you’re still learning how to do it.  Also, bring $10 in ones.  Give every Performer and every bartender at least one!! 

Keep in mind that most of the things you learn will be specific to your region of the country.  One true test of a great performer is how well they do at an Out-Of-Town-Booking.  Those familiar faces will always love and support you, but how well do you do in a room full of strangers?

The Moral To This Story :

If it’s just for fun – go have fun and fuck whatcha heard!  If you want this job - Get ready to work and be prepared to breath in A LOT of glitter and hairspray.  Everyone’s got their own way of doing this and you’ll have yours, but go to work ready to learn and you’ll be on your way.

There’s my One Penny’s Worth!