How to Become a Drag King / Performer: A Step-by-Step Guide
So, you’ve been to a few drag shows, binged RuPaul’s Drag Race, and found yourself mesmerized by the fabulousness, artistry, and raw talent on display. Now, you're wondering how you can step into those high heels (or boots in my case) and join the sensational world of drag. Welcome to the beginning of an fantastic journey! Everyone’s path is different, but here’s a general step-by-step guide to help you become a drag performer, with a peek into my own journey…
1. Understand What Drag Is
First things first, drag is an art form. It’s about expressing yourself, challenging norms, and entertaining. Drag performers often adopt a persona that is an exaggerated version of a gender or a completely unique character. Remember, drag isn't limited to a specific gender or sexual orientation—anyone can do drag! To read about the intersection of drag and cosplay check out this article: Drag? Cosplay? Both? — Max E. Pad - Drag King (maxepad.com)
2. Find Your Drag Persona
Your drag persona is your alter ego... Think about what kind of character you want to portray. Are you a glamorous queen, a campy king, a spooky performer, or something entirely unique? Your persona will guide your style, performance, and aesthetic. Spend time brainstorming and experimenting to find what feels right. The diverse expressions of drag are endless, check this article out: Role of Drag Performers in Our Community — Max E. Pad - Drag King (maxepad.com)
My persona is a flamboyant and confident king that doesn’t take himself too seriously. I am channeling the parts of me that have been suppressed, and using drag as an outlet, an activist platform, and a way to learn more about myself. I push myself past my comfort zone and practice socializing in a way that I am not used to. Being sober, my drag persona has helped me to learn to engage with people without needing a drink.
3. Develop Your Look
Your look is a crucial part of your drag persona. This includes makeup, costumes, wigs, and accessories. Here are some tips to get you started:
Makeup: Drag makeup is dramatic and transformative. Invest in a good set of makeup and brushes. Watch tutorials online and practice, practice, practice. Look for tips on contouring, eyeshadow blending, and creating bold lips. As around, usually drag performers are eager to help with tips like that, just make sure to create your own look – inspiration and copying are two very different things. I had gotten a lot of inspiration from Hugo Grrrl, which is pretty obvious when I point it out, but Hugo’s drag is very Vegas Showboy, and mine… isn’t. His makeup tutorials helped me to learn about making a block beard look good, and what colors will wash my face out if I try to contour with them.
Costumes: Start with thrift stores and online marketplaces to find pieces you can alter and embellish. Learn basic sewing skills to customize your outfits. I just started to learn how to sew, and it is a game-changer. Early on, I bought some clothes that I thought would be perfect for the persona that I thought that I was going for, but my idea completely changed after a few shows, and I probably won’t wear them very often, so don’t go all in with spending upfront. Drag can be very expensive, but by learning to sew and customizing your outfits with sequins, rhinestones, or different materials, you can make it more unique and affordable… try to make it shiny.
Wigs: Wigs can completely change your look. Learn how to style and care for them. I’ve only invested in one topper that I use regularly. They can be very expensive, so make sure that you are storing them properly and using the right products with them. For example, if it is a synthetic wig, it will melt if you use a curling iron on it, but a steamer will really smooth it out. The person that I bought my topper from (Kyle Pingel K Pingel Creations | Couture Wigs & Upcycled Creations) spent some extra time teaching me how to put it on and how to care for it. He also let me know that he is available if I have any more questions. The person that you buy from should help you out, and ought to have advice on how to wear and care for it.
Accessories: Accessories like jewelry, gloves, and props can add the finishing touch to your ensemble. I spent hours rhinestoning some shoes that I had gotten from the thrift store, and creating props for my numbers. Since I am a drag king, I haven’t gotten into the big costume jewelry (yet), but I try to make fun accessory pieces for my costumes. I have a snake cod piece that I made for one number, and have a chaps reveal for another. I like to get inspiration from the song or from someone famous, without making it into a costume (cosplay). I use different hats and megaphones and banana’s, be creative and have fun.
4. Hone Your Performance Skills
Drag is more than just looking fabulous—it’s about putting on a show. Whether you’re lip-syncing, dancing, or doing comedy, you need to captivate your audience. This is an area that I am not entirely confident in. I would like to take acting, dance, or improv classes to build my stage presence and confidence. I have really enjoyed engaging with the crowd, but when its too small or too large, dancing and dramatic movements would be much more helpful. I learned this recently when I performed at a Pride event and the crowd was much bigger than I am used to, so my performance was good up close, but I didn’t give much to the crowd in the back or sides. Smaller audiences are tough too, I had done a show in a small town that only had six people, and three of them didn’t want to be there, so that was a great opportunity for me to practice performing without leaning on crowd engagement. Practice your routines at home to gain some confidence. The King George number that I did for my pageant was choreographed by my drag mother who has a background in theater. It is very dramatic and fun, and I don’t worry so much about what I should do now. Having certain moves for specific parts of the performance is very beneficial.
5. Network with the Drag Community
The drag community is incredibly supportive and a great resource for newcomers. Attend local drag shows, introduce yourself to performers, and ask for advice. Joining a drag family is helpful to me because I have a drag mother (Miss Flo NoMo’) that gives me advice and I can bounce ideas off of. She lets me know if something I am doing doesn’t make sense and helps me decide where I want to go with my drag. She pointed me to some kings that have helped me with things like choosing a packer and using binding tape. I also lean heavily on a couple of friends that are pageant promoters. Pageantry is a different type of drag, and they have helped me to know what questions to ask about it and what to expect as I prepare for my first National Pageant – America’s King, in October (wish me luck).
Join online forums and social media groups dedicated to drag – I am a part of the Facebook page Drag Kings Unite, and the posts have been very helpful. Networking can open doors to performance opportunities and provide invaluable support. Drag Families: Finding Your Monarchy — Max E. Pad - Drag King (maxepad.com)
6. Start Small
When you’re ready, start performing at open mics, talent shows, and amateur drag nights. These smaller venues are perfect for gaining experience and building your confidence. Don’t be discouraged by mistakes—every performance is a learning opportunity. I started with a lot of competitions. I would drive anywhere up to a couple of hours away to be able to get some stage time. I also offered to fill in for performers that had to cancel and took tip spots. Some performers will tell you that they have been doing drag for years, but more important than the amount of time since you started is the amount of stage time that you’ve got, which can’t be quantified quite as easily, but is obvious by your stage presentation. Drag Competitions: Battling for Clout — Max E. Pad - Drag King (maxepad.com)
7. Ask For Feedback
If a competition or show is judged, then this is the perfect opportunity to get some feedback on how to get better. I like to reach out to the judges on Facebook or Instagram and ask what they think would make my performance better. If it’s not judged, maybe there is someone in the crowd that you trust to give you honest feedback without being hurtful. My drag family was really great at giving me feedback, and a friend had recorded some of my shows so that I could watch and see what could use improvement. Most of the time, I was relating to the memes of “what I think I look like” vs “what I actually look like”. It’s always going to look different than it does in our minds.
8. Be Humble
Make sure that you don’t let your ego run away. I like to encourage people by pointing out what they have done well and applauding their strengths. If they want my feedback on what can be improved, then they will ask. Because of this, I have seen some newer performers’ egos get out of control. To be honest and vulnerable, my ego had also been inflated after a few months. Seasoned performers were not shy about telling me that I am not that good, which hurt my feelings. By reaching out for feedback and doing an honest inventory of my entertainment value, I was able to deflate the ego and work on improving. I am also trying not to take myself too seriously and ignore some of the nay-sayers. Some people will try to bring you down because of their own insecurities, which is difficult to discern from productive guidance. I have spent too long being told that I am not good enough, so I will believe that I’m not perfect, and my drag is good enough. Good Enough: Finding My Place in a World of Expectations — Max E. Pad - Drag King (maxepad.com)
9. Promote Yourself
Create social media profiles for your drag persona and post regularly. Share photos, videos, and updates about your performances. Building an online presence can help you connect with fans and get noticed by event organizers. Prior to performing in drag, I had never been on TikTok. I had to learn how to use it from scratch, but with the help of friends and google, I have created a TikTok page that is engaging and inclusive of the drag performers that I have gotten to spend time with. I want to promote positivity in our community so I try very hard to avoid negative engagement and “click bait” from trolls. I also decided to start this blog to document and share my experiences. My Instagram is a place that I have used to teach myself more about drag, ask questions, and post advice that I am learning or seeing. Building a social media platform will really help you to document your journey, network with other performers, and promote yourself. Be aware, however, that it will also attract bullies, so make sure to filter the comments through a skeptic lens. Social Media Negativity — Max E. Pad - Drag King (maxepad.com)
10. Be Positive
Starting out in drag can be intimidating. It is easy to get sucked in to gossip when joining a new community and trying to fit in. Don’t put other performers down, whether they are in the room or not. Picking fights or throwing offensive shade to another performer causes drama that many performers and hosts will want to avoid. Don’t pick fights, and if someone starts one with you, then try to find a way to diffuse the situation without getting worked up. You’re going to want to critique yourself, which is good, but don’t be too hard on yourself. Give yourself grace and remember that it’s okay to make mistakes, no one expects perfection from you. Being nervous is totally normal, and it is usually okay to have a drink or two to loosen up, but try not to get so drunk that you cause a scene or damage fresh relationships. Also, avoid posting negatively online, it can really hurt your opportunity to get booked. If you feel that you were slighted in some way, address the person directly, not in a passive aggressive post.
11. Stay True to Yourself
Drag is about expressing who you are. Don’t feel pressured to fit into a particular mold or style. Stay true to your vision and let your unique personality shine through. The most memorable drag performers are those who are authentic and unapologetically themselves. Your vision will make you stand out. Taking advice and getting inspiration will really help to grow, but if you try to hard to conform or to be like someone else then you will lose what make you stand out. Be careful not to copy or steal someone’s look or idea. I really like the persona that I have created. I workshop a lot of my ideas with my drag mother and a few others in the community. She is a comedy queen, and I want to lean into comedy as well. I also get a lot of help from her and others’ theater backgrounds that I don’t have. Inspiration from them is used to incorporate into my performances with my own flair. I use their guidance to help me grow into my distinct identity.
12. Keep Learning and Growing
The world of drag is constantly evolving. Stay inspired by watching other performers, learning new skills, and pushing your creative boundaries. Keep an open mind and be willing to adapt and grow. I cringe a little when I look back at my first few performances, and I am hoping that in a year I will be able to look back at me now and cringe. I don’t ever want to stop evolving my drag identity. Stagnancy bores me, and complacency will diffuse the passion. I attend a lot of shows that I am not performing in, because I enjoy the art of drag. Their performances inspire and motivate me. I might see something in their performance that I had never considered trying in my own. For example, I recently watched a king do a number that incorporated a gasoline can filled with water. He had gotten consent to dump some of it on me, and it was a fun, campy number that was very engaging for the audience. I won’t use the number or a gasoline can, but I might incorporate water someday.
10. Read my Blog 😉
11. Have Fun!
Above all, drag should be fun. Enjoy the process of creating, performing, and connecting with others. Celebrate your progress and achievements, no matter how small they may seem.
My Beginnings
I was going through a rough time mentally, preparing to leave my career, and in the midst of an identity crisis. Leaning on my close personal friend, a local drag queen who is pretty popular in the area and owns a drag-focused business, I found myself constantly talking about doing drag and being a drag king. We found an all-king show about an hour and a half away and decided to go. I was invigorated in a way that I hadn’t felt since deciding to leave my career.
My excitement must have been palpable because after that show, my friend told me he would be my drag mother. He encouraged me to do my makeup and go out in drag a few weekends to see how I felt about it. Since it was around Halloween, it wouldn't be too unusual to be out and about with costume makeup on my face.
When I showed up to Sunday Funday in drag, my friend asked, "There's an open stage in Iowa tonight, are you gonna do it?" With his help, I loaded a couple of songs onto a flash drive, got my clothes together, and we went to Iowa for my first show ever. My drag sister, Ashlynn Rose, was also in that open stage. With the three of us on a random road trip and the excitement of doing drag for my first time, I felt like I belonged. I felt support and excitement.
Getting started is different for everyone, but that’s my story. I also started much later in life than I thought was appropriate. I was 37 when I first stepped on stage in drag. I’ve since learned that there's no age requirement for drag—we are all welcome.
Joining the drag community is an exciting journey that can be incredibly rewarding. Whether you’re just starting or looking to refine your skills, remember that the most important thing is to be true to yourself and have fun along the way. Happy dragging!
Check out this article for some common drag lingo: Diving into Drag: From Newbie to Slaying the Lingo! — Max E. Pad - Drag King (maxepad.com)
Leave a comment on where you are in your journey!
-Max E. Pad
Please follow me on social media for more on drag kings and drag culture.
FB: Max E. Pad – Drag King
IG: @max_3_pad
TikTok: @max.e.pad0
