1. Drag Queen or Drag King?

Plenty of people think drag is just men dressing as women and women dressing as men, but the whole point of drag is to exaggerate and to bend the norms of gender. Why put the art in the box it was made to defy? I am drawn to more feminine fashion and energy, and I knew that I wanted to invest in more feminine clothing, so that’s how I decided that I would be a drag queen.

2. Choosing the Name

Your stage name is what will first catch the audience’s attention. Pull out your Notes app and brainstorm names that match the vibe you want, both in appearance and overall energy. Try out a fierce pun! I knew I wanted to use a pun that was fun, bubbly and feminine. That’s how Aurora Coaster was born.

Step Three: Selecting the Song

Often, you are given guidelines for your songs, whether that be the theme, length, or style. With that in mind, start a playlist and add songs that you love that make you feel confident and comfortable. Songs that radiate the energy that you want to bring to the stage. Songs that you are familiar with, that you can properly learn in the time you have. Then try dancing around to them! Pick the song that feels the most natural to your instincts.

Step Four: Curating the Look

The three essential components of a drag look are the wig, the gown, and the shoes. You need shoes that are glamorous that you can comfortably dance in. It is worth investing in a good quality wig so that you’ll look as good as you’ll feel. Always make sure to practice dancing and lip-syncing in your wig, because you don’t want the hair to distract the audience from seeing your gorgeous face. Just as much care and consideration should be given to the main component of the outfit as well. Whether it’s a sickening dress, a sparkling jumpsuit or something completely different, make sure it expresses your drag style and allows you to move around freely. Finally, add some jewelry and a fierce makeup look, and the ensemble is complete.

If you’re unsure of how to do a drag queen makeup look, Google it! Start a Pinterest board with your favorite drag queens and random bold looks you want to try out. Then do some practice runs. See what works on your face and what doesn’t. After selecting your outfit, see what colors complement the outfit and the wig. And, no matter what, your makeup should elevate the beautiful face you already have.

Step Five: Dance the Night Away

Now it’s time to get choreographing! Think about what you are trying to convey to the audience. Do you want to stand in one spot and sing your heart out? Do you want to show off your epic flips and tricks? Or do you want to show off your sass through a carefully choreographed routine? All of these are amazing options, as long as you feel confident in what you’re going to do. Some queens know exactly what they’re going to do– move by move– and other queens have a rough idea of what they want and improvise with what their gut feels in the moment. The worst thing you can do for yourself is to go out there thinking you’ll just wing it and end up freezing beneath those spotlights.

Step Six: Practice, Practice, Practice

In your outfit, practice dancing and lip-syncing to your song. Gain confidence in the words, the routine and in the outfit you’ll be wearing. But there’s more to a competition than just the song. Practice doing your makeup. Practice getting ready. Figure out how much time you’ll need in order to get ready the day of. Then give yourself more time in case of mistakes and so that you don’t need to rush. A confident queen is prepared and calm.

Step Seven: Perform Your Heart Out

Enjoy it! Whether it’s 60 seconds or five minutes, eat up every moment you get on that stage. Work that runway. You’ve put in so much work and you’ve earned your spot. Why not live it up? Make sure to interact with your adoring fans, too. You’ll feed off of each other’s energy and make the room even more lively. Trust your instincts and your hard work, and remember that you are up there on that stage for a reason. Perform your heart out, queen!