The popularity of drag is reaching new heights in the UK, especially with the success of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK launching in 2019. Local scenes are growing with more new shows appearing, more competitions and more fresh drag talent taking to the stages. Many of the upcoming performers are young and exploring their fierce creativity while managing studies in higher education. The pressures of working towards a degree or a diploma, while working on head-turning looks and performances can be tough. Gazing beyond the glitter, two of Scotland’s student drag artists spill the tea on earning their grades in education and in their scene.
Lady Satin has been doing drag for four years. In addition to running and organising popular Dundee show Cirque Du Corset, they are also studying for their master's degree in Ethical Hacking and Cyber Security at the city’s Abertay University. “The course is focused on multiple aspects of cyber security with the goal of training students to deal with malicious cyber-attacks,” they said.
In Glasgow, Shame Lizz has made her mark on the scene through competitions at local shows and with her standout performances. Since starting drag about 18 months ago, she has gone on to study Level 6 Makeup Artistry at Coatbridge College.
“My course involves covering a wide range of makeup styles, You do a folio on a look you have decided to do and break it down, step by step, how you plan to recreate it on a live model. It’s a fun course but it’s stressful,” she said, “I got into my studies because of drag. I started in front of the mirror painting my own face, and now I want to get paid to paint other people’s faces.”
Both studying in higher education and performing in drag can take a lot of time and commitment. From hitting the books in class during the day, to hitting the stage later that night, the two are sure to have an effect on each other. With makeup skills being an obvious requirement to turn a stunning look, Shame Lizz can see her drag influencing her work in college.
“There is not a lot of opportunity to get into drag for college, but Shame does tend to peek through in my work and it shows. I would like to think I recycle stuff from performances and use it for college but I’m not that smart.”
She explained further, “Shame seems to be present for a lot of my work in college. Sometimes I’ll take a step back to see what I’ve done then I’ll realise it’s Shame, just not as big and dragged up. Elements of her makeup show up like the eye shape.”
For Lady Satin, their course might not have an obvious connection to their drag in terms of the skills required to be a performer. However, their time in drag and at university have managed to influence each other in less obvious ways.
“Doing drag gave me the confidence to continue my studies despite difficulties being faced in my personal life,” they said. Looking at the use of social media as an essential part of being a modern drag performer, Lady Satin can see how their course can help with doing drag. “ I’ve also found that a majority of drag queens use social media frequently but may not be as secure online as they should be.”
Life while studying in further education is already stressful. From meeting deadlines to managing money, it’s no surprise that 1 in 4 students (according to Save the Student) report experiencing mental health issues at some point during their time studying. Adding the pressures of creating new looks, preparing new performances and getting gigs, it can be difficult to fit everything in.
“The biggest issues I’ve found have generally been ensuring time management is up to par and trying not to die from the general stress of both happening concurrently,” explained Lady Satin, “There is also a lot of pressure to up the level of work the further into education you go, which can lead to a lot less time to do drag or pretty much anything other than uni work!”
Students are often synonymous with financial issues. According to Save the Student’s Student Money Survey 2019, 79% of students worry about the cost of living. With the average student loan approximately £540 per month, and the average cost of living approximately £807 per month, many students think that the loan isn’t enough. For most local drag performers gigs aren’t always easy to get and earnings are often based on audience tips.
With the exception of the monthly Cirque Du Corset shows, Lady Satin’s main source of income is the student loan. “Over half of each payment goes towards the essentials, so I can usually get a few small things or maybe a bigger drag investment, like a wig or new heels,” they said. Though some performers can get to the stage where they can make a living from multiple revenue streams in drag, it can take a lot of hard work. “Drag is not a full-time career but it could be. It would be doable, just not easy,” according to Shame Lizz.
Life sure can be a drag balancing the stresses of full-time further education with maintaining a sickening persona onstage and online. Beneath the glitter-sparkling paint lies fierce creativity and the ambition to achieve the grades being chased in both drag and education.
“I’d absolutely love to finish up my run of education with a PhD, but I probably won’t do it right after finishing my master's,” said Lady Satin, “As for drag, I hope to start performing again this year. I haven’t been on stage much as my mental health hasn’t been great, but I have some interesting ideas I’d love to bring to life.”
Shame Lizz is less optimistic: “Who’s the future? I don’t know her.”
A big thanks to Lady Satin and Shame Lizz for taking part in the interviews for Glitter and Grades. Photo of Lady Satin by Lindee Wickers. Photo of Shame Lizz by Simon Crawford. Royalty-free stock image from pexels.com You can check out more of Lady Satin on Instagram, Shame Lizz on Instagram, and Simon Crawford on Facebook and Instagram.
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