The Blame Game

So, you have this great idea for a drag show. You have a theme. You find the venue. You get your talent. You get promotional materials made for you.

So, you've done everything right. Right?

Then why is there no turn out? What happened to keep people away from the show? Why are your performers leaving with peanuts, instead of a butt load of cash in tips?

Whose fault is it, if a show is a flop?

The short answer, is it's everyone's fault.  But, it's a lot more complicated than that. Especially, when a large number of people are involved.

A drag performer's job is to promote their show. The more people they can bring in, the better the chance of bringing home the money. So, it makes sense for the queen or king to share a poster or event on any social media outlet available to them. And, the best way of creating a buzz is to tell the potential audience why they want to go to the show, so they don't leave, saying, "Yep, just what I was expecting  the same old queens doing the same old, boring numbers. I can't believe I wasted money for that." (Because, I literally have heard that sentiment before.)

A venue should promote a show that is happening there. When the artwork for promoting is built to the venue's specific needs, it should  be used for promotion. When performers begin to feel that the venue is not doing their job, they will talk about it. And, people will listen. What most people don't realize about Drag performers, is that they have captive audiences who hang on what they say. And, venues would do well to remember that any feeling of being slighted, will eventually come out. And, when you don't feel wanted somewhere, you don't go back. And you tell people, who tell people, who tell people. And, then, you have no patrons.

"Wait, there's a cover?" There is nothing that a potential audience member hates more than being surprised at the door with news that they will have to pay to get in. And, it's scary that (here in Maine) that is enough to cause someone to turn around and go elsewhere. If the promo material does not satisfactorily get this information across, it's the graphic artist's fault. If the posts  is delayed  in getting to the performers and the venue, it's the artist's fault.

But, what happens, when everything is said to be going right  And it turns out that it really isn't? What happens when your host says one thing, blaming the bar, and the bar says the exact opposite? Who is then to blame? And, why lie?

It doesn't matter who is lying. If things aren't going as they should be, then there is a problem. The breakdown of communication between all parties involved is problematic.

So, what is the solution? Because you're never going to be  every person involved to do what they need to do. How do you hold people accountable for what they didn't do?

First, all parties, from the host to the performers to the venue to the graphic artist should be a part of the conversation. If any one member is missing from the conversation, there is an issue. If everyone is a part of it, it makes it easier to hold someone accountable, and harder to lie about what you haven't done yet.

Next, be clear, right from the start of what is to be expected. Nothing makes people crazier than a waffler. I  It's ok one day and not the next, how do you expect anyone to know what's going on?

As a host, (in my opinion) if three fourths of your performers promote regularly, and the last doesn't, are you going to still pay them all the same? Especially, if you're splitting the cover? This is a time to put your foot down, and not be "the friend." You didn't promote, everyone else did. Sorry, but it's your own fault. Nobody is going to come see you  if they don't know you're going to be there...

Blame who you like, but the truth of the matter, is, unless there is a really big mistake that can be specifically tracked to one person, it's everyone's fault if a show fails.

Accept your responsibility, and move on, but learn from those mistakes. Know the worth of the show. Know the worth of the performers. Know the worth of the venue. And work together...Because, if you can't work together, why put something together in the first place?