My first drag show, that I organized at my school, was basically anyone we could get. There were 3 queens, the host was a drag queen, and then our boi band consisting of 5 kings. Consequently, out of the whole show, only two of us identified as queer... thank god for theater majors. The show that my brother and I collaborated on, it was mostly drag kings. Our vision for our upcoming show is to be evening mixed.
I see a large gap between the kings & queens... what do you think of that theory? Do you enjoy performing with queens, or do you see a necessity for an "all drag kings" space?
With the SCU show, we were trying to show the vast diversity in gender identities, and including both kings and queens is an excellent way to do just that. granted kings and queens express their gender in seemingly opposite ways, but we're all battling the same oppression, fighting using entertainment and art, expressing ourselves through our gender. It seems like a stronger fight if we celebrate our differences and perform together. Plus, it makes for much more visually interesting and diverse show.
Since i'm fairly new to the scene i haven't dealt with that issue as much. But, the inability to get into 21+ shows definitely contributed to the fact that i've never seen a drag show that i wasn't organizing or in. It's difficult enough finding a queer performing space, when you have age limitations on top of that, it becomes downright impossible. And it's a problem with such a seemingly easy
How does max voltage relate to your day-to-day gender? Is he half of you or a deep down part of you or what? How do you connect him to that feminine part that exists in you?
Max has helped me figure out that not only is there a spectrum of genders in the world. There's a spectrum within myself as well. I can be excessively masculine one minute and giggling and femme the next. I don't HAVE to choose just one. The fantastic thing is, I can express femininity differently through Max than I would through Claire. When I'm being femme and Max, I'm a flaming gay boy, and when I'm masculine and Claire, I'm a butch dyke. But there are a million expressions in between and it's fun to play with, regardless if I'm currently Max or Claire. So I'd say Max is absolutely part of me. Because every gender that I express is part of who I am.
What tips or advice or anything do you have for other kings? Any and all kings, not just new kings.
Personally, I love themes. If your persona has a catchy theme, it makes him SO much more memorable. Same thing for drag pieces... don't just go up there and lip sync. Do something new, have costumes that tie into the song. It's all about choreography, too. It's tough to pull off a solo act, especially initially, so if you get a couple back-up dancers, the most simple choreography looks impressive, if it's together. And it's much more visually interesting. And, this seems obvious, but, know the lyrics and accentuate the fact that you know them.
Since last summer, Max Voltage's Drag King career has taken off. The Uber-Heroes Klub-Z show was extremely well received, and this summer Max and Eva are similarly planning a show in Portland (venue tba) Although the Santa Clara University drag show was well recieved and supported its first year, due to pressure from homophobic parents and alumni, Max was extremely censored in his second production. Read the article to find out more. Regardless, Max plans a 3rd show this Fall at SCU.
In the last year, Max performed with Menage A Trois and the Transformers, and competed with Alec DeCock in Guerneville's Club Fab competition, winning the title Mr. Club Fab, 2003. To see details about Drag shows, both past and future, see events. Most recently, Max Voltage joined the San Francisco based drag king band Frankie Tenderloin and the Rent Boy$ playing electric violin. He plans to finish up his degree at Santa Clara University this year (he recently changed from Electrical Engineering to Gender Studies Major) and wants to move up to the bay area and continue pursing drag. In addition, Max hopes to compete in the SF Drag King competition at the end of this month.