"Fantastic, amazing, wonderful, inclusive, welcoming, life-changing, dream-making" - Previous course participant
Dive into the gorgeous world of drag and queerlesque and get in the spotlight with our 8 week course!
For all comedy clowns, club kids, bodacious babes, gender gremlins, and drag darlings, you will create your very own stage persona!
No experience is required. This course is for everyone aged 18+, for all genders, bodies, and expressions.
You will get the tools you need to put together a look and a drag or queerlesque routine in your own unique style, with an optional showcase at the end.
This is an 8 week course, with two 1:1 sessions and optional extra sessions, with a final showcase in July.
Meet your teachers
Course content and dates
31 March: Session 1 - Intro to Queer Performance: Physicality and Lip Sync
Learn about the history of queer performance and start exploring stage personas.
7 April: Session 2 - Choreography and Reveals
Scared of dancing? This session will give you building blocks on how you can move on stage. Experienced dancer? This session will help you to focus on characterisation and engaging the audience
14 April: Session 3 - Act Creation
Learn how to build an act for stage and work out what you may want to create.
W/c 21 April: Session 4 - 1:1s for each participant
Book in a 1 hour session with one of our teachers, where they can help you to choose and develop an idea for stage
28 April: Session 5 - Act Devising and Development
Start putting your act together in a supportive environment
5 May: Session 6 - Rehearsals
Practice practice practice!
May - June: Session 7 - 1:1s for each participant
Book in a 1 hour session with one of our teachers, where they can help you to polish your act
30 June: Session 8 - Final dress rehearsal
Rehearse your act in costume, and get a feel for what the showcase will be like!
July: Showcase Performance
Exact time and date tbc
There are also additional sessions available for you to boost your skills with!
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27 March: OxPHWOARd Trip
Meet and greet your teachers and see them in action at this fabulous cabaret show! Tickets £1-22 on https://oldfirestation.org.uk/whats-on/oxphwoard-sprung/
12 May: Track Editing
Learn how to edit songs and soundbites together to make the perfect soundtrack to your piece! Tickets £20
19 May: Makeup Workshop
Learn how to create gorgeous draggy looks. Some makeup provided, but we also recommend bringing your own! Tickets £20
26 May: The Business in Showbiz
This is an online session covering the basics of what you need to know as a performer, from how to get bookings to legal requirements. Tickets £10
2 June: Costume Workshop
Learn how to turn clothes into dazzling costumes and / or tearaway pieces. Tickets £20
9 June: Get Wiggy with it
Learn how to turn a regular wig into a gorgeous draggy spectacle! You’ll be expected to bring your own wig (recommendations of where to purchase provided in advance)
Additional 1:1s
Need extra support with your act? Book in with one of our teachers for a session to build your confidence Booked at a time to suit you at £25/session
Other important info
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We will be in the lounge room in East Oxford Community Centre. We will share detailed how to get there instructions with photos and video before the event.
♿ Level access
🚽 Accessible toilet
🚪 Wide corridors
⚡ Power assisted doors
🚼 Baby change facilities
🐕 Assistance dogs welcome
👶 Pram parking
🚶 Handrail on steps / ramps outside venue
🎧 Sensory items available
💺 Lots of seating available
The course is relaxed in nature, and there will be plenty of breaks. You are welcome to move around and stim as you need. We can adjust things like lighting levels and noise to work for you.
Content will also be provided in a written format for you to take away with you.
Please get in touch if you have any questions about accessibility on creativedirector@tartproductions.co.uk
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We have a travel fund, so anyone who cannot get a lift to our events can get a taxi. Keep your receipts and send them to us at directors@tartproductions.co.uk noting what session you attended, or we can book your taxi for you if you give us notice at least a few days in advance. We can offer a maximum of £20 total, per person & per session. Please fill out this travel fund form.
If you would like help planning your journey, please get in touch on info@tartproductions.co.uk.
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This is an inclusive space that welcomes people of all ages (18+), genders, sexualities, races, religions and identities.
We will not tolerate any kind of homophobia, transphobia, sexism, racism, ableism, fatphobia, biphobia, femmephobia, interphobia, or non-consensual touching. Any behavior of this sort will result in expulsion from the course without refund. Treat everyone with respect and we'll send that love right on back to you 🌈 -
What is drag?
Drag is a very broad performance art form which can include dancing, lip sync, comedy, singing, art, and so much more. This queer artform is a place for self expression and playing with gender, with often wildly over the top costumes, hair and make-up. It is for everyone, and it celebrates everybody.
What is queerlesque?
Queerlesque is a form of burlesque that breaks traditions and expectations. Whereas classic burlesque tends to lean towards embracing femininity to feel empowered, queerlesque is far more broad in scope. It’s all about playing with and subverting expectations.
Do I need experience?
This course is suitable for a range of experiences. It's the perfect starting place for newcomers, and can be a great opportunity for more experienced performers to workshop new work.
Can I pay in installments?
Of course! You can pay a £50 deposit, another £50 on starting the course, and £100 by week 5 of the course.
How can I access a free supported space?
We have a limited number of free places for people who need them. To find out more please contact info@tartproductions.co.uk
Do I need to attend all the sessions?
It's okay if you can't make all the sessions, although you may need to work extra hard to catch up. If you're planning on performing, we recommend attending a minimum of 6 sessions.
Do I have to perform at the showcase?
Not at all! You are welcome to attend all of the sessions and can decide if you would like to perform at the final rehearsal.