DBT Workshops

In addition to performing, we also host a variety of workshops. Especially if you're booking a show for a college venue, including one of our workshops before or after the performance can add a lot to the experience. We're always creating new workshops, and if you have something in particular you'd like us to talk about, we're open to suggestions. Here are two of the workshops we regularly host:

The Politics of Drag

Many people don't know the first thing about drag kings! In this interactive discussion, we start with the basics about drag and gender and move on to discuss some of the politics of performing. What does it mean for a "woman" to perform masculinity? Can a woman be a drag queen? Do drag queens and drag kings simply perpetuate the worst stereotypes about femininity and masculinity? Or is there a potential for revolutionary reconsiderations of gender in drag performances? How do aspects such as venue and audience affect the performances? How are masculinity and femininity complicated by race, class, and power? In this interactive discussion we will discuss these questions and many more. Everyone is welcome to participate whether or not you identify as a king or queen. We believe that performance is inherently political and there is the possibility for progressive or radical reconceptions of power structures in drag!

Sharing the Spotlight: Maintaining a Collective Drag Troupe

The Disposable Boy Toys is quite unique in its commitment to being a collective drag troupe. Since its founding, DBT has grown to 17 members who all come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, and perform a variety of masculinities and femininities! Not only does DBT meet and collaborate as a troupe, but we also perform as a troupe although we perform a number of solos and duets, our specialty is group numbers including five to fifteen performers. As DBT, we are self-reflective and deal with the issues of maintaining a collective on a daily basis; we are definitely a work in progress. In this workshop we discuss many issues and questions about creating and keeping a politically active collective with stellar performances as its priority. Some of the topics we address are:

~How can you maintain a group over time (with changing membership, interests and goals)?
~How do you create a politically vibrant and active group while managing a wide variety of dynamics?
~What part does feminism play in a collective group?
~How do you balance ideas of leadership and collective consensus?
~What are the responsibilities (or goals) of a troupe in terms of diversity?
~How do you incorporate a variety of opinions into the group's vision?
~In what ways does a group allow you to create radical and fluid gender performances?
~Is it possible to make workshops/education part of a performance troupe?

The Drag Science Fair

Ever wanted to be the king or queen of your own empire? Ever wanted to find your inner dude or diva? Now you can! Join us for this interactive session and how to be a drag king or queen--yes, even gals can become queens! You can experiment with packing/tucking, binding/stuffing, walking, synching, dressing, applying facial hair or makeup. Find out the inside scoop on everything you'll need to take off or put on. No experience necessary! Come try it out or just be a voyeur. In addition, we will begin with a very brief intro to Drag 101--What's it all about?--and conclude with a few suggestions on taking your drag to the stage!

Trans, Butch and King Identities: Exploring Gender

Exploring and defying gender norms is an essential part of drag kinging, yet we are not alone; Drag is just one part of the spectrum of gender non-conformity in queer communities. In this workshop we discuss the relationships between drag kinging, trans, and butch and the place each of these identities has in our community and in society. More specifically we address questions about the connections between these identities, their overlap, differences, and similarities. This workshop is an excellent opportunity to discuss the larger issues of gender bending, its history, and legacy.

Do It Yourself!

This is a workshop designed to help you start doing drag. We discuss everything from how to pick a song to how to book a venue. This workshop is a must for aspiring drag kings! Some of the many topics we focus on are:

~ creating a king: all you need to know about picking a name and persona
~ finding a hit: how to choose a song and choreograph it
~ making friends: finding other kings and working together
~ show time: how to organize and book a show

BioQueens

If you don't know what a bioqueen is, this is the workshop for you! DBT is very proud to have three bioqueens in our troupe and in this workshop we share what we've all learned about drag from them. Just as drag kings perform masculinity, bioqueens are women who perform femininity--after all what would one be without the other. Join us as we explore the politics of performing femininity, and discuss why we think bioqueens are an essential part of drag.