Drag Performance: Between & Beyond Gender (In Person)
Applications for the Fall 2026 in-person cycle of Drag Performance are now closed. Check back in December 2026 to learn more about the spring Drag MC cycle.
*Criteria: You must be 21+ years of age and not currently enrolled full time in school in order to participate in this program.
When: Wednesday nights from September 23, 2026 through December 14, 2026 at the BAX Annex from 6:30-9:00pm. The first class begins Wednesday, September 23 from 6:30-9:00pm and will be held at the BAX Annex at 80 Hanson Place, Brooklyn, NY 11217 (ground floor).
Class dates: September 23 (first class), 30; October 7, 14, 21, 28; November 4, 11, 18 (no class the 25th in observance of Thanksgiving); December 2, 7*, 9 (*extra mandatory class)
Tech Rehearsal dates: December 13 (exact schedule TBC)
Culminating Showcase: December 14, 2026 at House of Yes (2 Wyckoff Ave, Brooklyn)
Facilitated by: Theydy Bedbug and guest artists Zenobia & BAX Drag Alum Luckiii
This class focuses on developing drag characters that expand what it means to be a drag queen, king, thing, in between or beyond what we’ve seen. Through group games, writing prompts and discussion, solo and collaborative movement exercises, we give ourselves permission to express the full range of who we are and can be while releasing narratives about how we “should” move, express, or dress based on gender norms we’ve inherited. We experiment with the tools of pantomime, clowning, lip sync, caricature, structured improv and intuitive movement to build towards in-process drag performance acts. While this class is focused primarily on performance skills, we touch upon what goes into making a drag act including: makeup, costumes, creating a musical track, movement choreography and technical production choices.
*All in person events will follow up-to-date City and CDC COVID-safety recommendations.
Theydy Bedbug (they/them) is a nonbinary educator and drag performance artist who grew up in Singapore and Indonesia. They studied Drama and Gender studies at Vassar College and have been teaching, technical directing, and creating art at BAX since 2015. As their performance persona, they have performed and produced in venues such as Pioneer Works, Gibney Dance, Dixon Place, Triskelion Arts, Coney Island USA, The Stonewall Inn, UCB, Chelsea Music Hall, The Tank, BAM, VICE Headquarters, Columbia University, National Sawdust, and The Knockdown Center. Their teaching makes space for problem-solving societal dilemmas, imagining new possibilities, and expressing differences with joyful authenticity. They believe that access to spaces of genderful play in performance and creation is a step toward collective liberation.
GUEST TEACHERS: Zenobia & BAX Drag Alum, Luckiii
Luckiii (they/them) is an emotional clown, a walking work of art, and your drag imaginary friend! The physical embodiment of a sweet child’s unexpressed queerness, Luckiii manifests in vibrant colors, primitive shapes, and cartoonish silhouettes to delude and delight! Learn more about BAX Drag Alum Luckiii through Instagram @veryluckiii.
Common Questions
Q: What is the cost?
The true cost of tuition is $600, with tiered pricing from $300 to $900, in addition to several full scholarships for QTBIPOC participants. See more about the tuition tiers below.
If you are able to pay more than the at cost fee, or a “sustainer” tuition tier, you will enable someone else to take the class who may otherwise not be able to.
If you need a reduced fee, you will have the opportunity to request a financial aid tuition tier in the application.
Q: What are the tuition tiers?
Consider paying this amount if doing so would be an investment, but not create hardship. You might choose this rate if you are able to regularly meet your basic needs and have some expendable income, can travel every couple of years without burden, and have some debt but are able to pay it regularly. This is the true cost of a session.
FINANCIAL AID (Discounted Rate): $300 – $500
Consider paying this amount if you have limited expendable income, have little or no access to financial support from family, have significant debt, and little or no access to savings. This is a discounted rate.
SUSTAINER (Subsidizing Tuition for Other Applicants): $700 – $900
Please consider paying this amount if you are comfortably able to meet your basic needs, have paid or pay for private education, travel recreationally, have access to financial savings and/or investments, have reliable work or do not have to work to meet your needs, have inherited wealth, and/or have increased earning privilege due to your race, gender, or education. This rate allows us to accept applicants who need a lower rate.
Q: What are some of the access considerations?
Extra rehearsals will take place either at the BAX Annex or the 421 5th Avenue location, which is not ADA accessible. You can view this document for access information.
Q: Will we be learning drag makeup skills?
A: This class is focused on drag performance, developing a character, and producing a 3-5 minute act. We will touch on makeup and costume as it relates to character expression but we will not delve in-depth into makeup techniques beyond general recommendations.
Q: I have no experience in drag! Is this class for me?
A: This class is for anyone looking to experiment with drag as a form of creative expression amongst a supportive class community. Some people who take this class have drag experience and use this space to craft a new act or learn more about their character. Others are dipping their toes in for the first time!
Some performance experience of any kind is helpful as a baseline for this class.
Q: Why is there an application?
Q: What are the COVID considerations of the in-person rehearsal period and show?
Show: Masks are optional and welcome during the show. The show will be livestreamed for remote access. All performers will be asked to submit a negative test on the day of the show.
PAST PROGRAMS
Drag Performance: Pilot MC Intensive (In Person)
Applications for the Spring 2026 in-person pilot MC Intensive are CLOSED! Check back in Fall 2026 for information about the next cycle.
*Criteria: You must be 21+ years of age and not currently enrolled full time in school in order to participate in this program.
When: Wednesday nights from February 18, 2026 through March 25, 2026 at the BAX Annex from 6:30-9:00pm. The first class begins Wednesday, February 18 from 6:30-9:00pm and will be held at the BAX Annex at 80 Hanson Place, Brooklyn, NY 11217 (ground floor).
Class dates: February 18 (first class), 25; March 4, 11, 18, 25* (*internal class share)
Facilitated by: Theydy Bedbug with special guest Junior Mintt.
This pilot program will focus on the role and responsibilities of the MC in a drag show. We will practice improv skills including audience interaction, crowd work, navigating hecklers, and trouble-shooting unexpected surprises while on the mic. Participants will hone their MC persona and develop their unique style of MCing. This class is specifically for artists with drag experience looking to expand into MCing or artists who have other types of hosting experience (such as stand-up comedy) looking to bring drag into their performance style.
*All in person events will follow up-to-date City and CDC COVID-safety recommendations.
Theydy Bedbug (they/them) is a nonbinary educator and drag performance artist who grew up in Singapore and Indonesia. They studied Drama and Gender studies at Vassar College and have been teaching, technical directing, and creating art at BAX since 2015. As their performance persona, they have performed and produced in venues such as Pioneer Works, Gibney Dance, Dixon Place, Triskelion Arts, Coney Island USA, The Stonewall Inn, UCB, Chelsea Music Hall, The Tank, BAM, VICE Headquarters, Columbia University, National Sawdust, and The Knockdown Center. Their teaching makes space for problem-solving societal dilemmas, imagining new possibilities, and expressing differences with joyful authenticity. They believe that access to spaces of genderful play in performance and creation is a step toward collective liberation.
GUEST TEACHERS: TBC
Common Questions
Q: What is the cost?
The true cost of tuition is $300, with tiered pricing from $200 to $600, in addition to several full scholarships for QTBIPOC participants. See more about the tuition tiers below.
If you are able to pay more than the at cost fee, or a “sustainer” tuition tier, you will enable someone else to take the class who may otherwise not be able to.
If you need a reduced fee, you will have the opportunity to request a financial aid tuition tier in the application.
Q: What are the tuition tiers?
A: AT COST (Actual Cost of Tuition): $300
Consider paying this amount if doing so would be an investment, but not create hardship. You might choose this rate if you are able to regularly meet your basic needs and have some expendable income, can travel every couple of years without burden, and have some debt but are able to pay it regularly. This is the true cost of a session.
FINANCIAL AID (Discounted Rate): $200
Consider paying this amount if you have limited expendable income, have little or no access to financial support from family, have significant debt, and little or no access to savings. This is a discounted rate.
SUSTAINER (Subsidizing Tuition for Other Applicants): $400 – $600
Please consider paying this amount if you are comfortably able to meet your basic needs, have paid or pay for private education, travel recreationally, have access to financial savings and/or investments, have reliable work or do not have to work to meet your needs, have inherited wealth, and/or have increased earning privilege due to your race, gender, or education. This rate allows us to accept applicants who need a lower rate.
Q: What are some of the access considerations?
A: The classes starting February 18, 2026 will take place at the BAX Annex building (at 80 Hanson Place) which is ADA accessible and on the ground floor of the building.
Q: I have no experience in drag! Is this class for me?
A: This class is specifically for artists with drag experience looking to expand into MCing or artists who have other types of hosting experience (such as stand-up comedy) looking to bring drag into their performance style.
Q: Why is there an application?
A: The purpose of this informal application is to gather information about potential participants in order to select a balanced cohort of no more than 12 participants.
Q: What are the COVID considerations of the in-person sessions?
A: Class: Participants are welcome to mask in class. When individuals are sharing in-progress performances, they will have the opportunity to unmask at their discretion. We will have air filters and fans running to increase air circulation.
Drag Performance: Between & Beyond Gender (VIRTUAL)
Applications for the Virtual cycle of Drag Performance are closed. Stay tuned for future programming!
When: Tuesday nights from January 9, 2024 through February 27, 2024 on Zoom from 6:30-8:30pm EST
Class dates: January 9, 16, 23, 30; February 6, 13, 20, 27
Facilitated by: Theydy Bedbug (aka Kelindah bee Schuster) with special guests Zenobia and LOTUS BOY
Applications for the Winter 2024 Virtual Drag Class are now closed.
Drag Performance: Between & Beyond Gender” is back on Zoom for a special 8-week series with Drag Artist and Educator, Theydy Bedbug and Special Guest Facilitators Zenobia and LOTUS BOY. During this virtual workshop, participants will hone their characters through group games, movement exercises, devising work, and reflection prompts. Through the tools of clowning, lip sync, costume and make-up exploration, participants will build confidence embodying their persona in a supportive creative community. By the end of this series, students will be prepared to share an in-progress virtual drag performance with their classmates.
Learn more about LOTUS BOY through his Instagram @kinglotusboy.
Learn more about Zenobia through her Instagram @whoiszenobia.
Common Questions
Q: What is the cost?
A: At cost: $350 for 8 weeks of class, including special guest facilitators.
If you are able to pay slightly higher than the at cost fee, you will enable someone else to take the class who may otherwise not be able to.
If you need a reduced fee, you will have the opportunity to request financial aid in the application.
Q: Will we be learning drag makeup skills?
A: This class is focused on drag performance, developing a character, and producing a 3-5 minute act. We will touch on makeup and costume as it relates to character expression but we will not delve in-depth into makeup techniques beyond general recommendations.
Q: What are some of the access considerations?
A: The workshops will take place on Zoom. Closed Captioning will be available. Additionally, there is a question in the application asking for any access needs that you might have.
Q: I have no experience in drag! Is this class for me?
A: This class is for anyone looking to experiment with drag as a form of creative expression amongst a supportive class community. Some people who take this class have drag experience and use this space to craft a new act or learn more about their character. Others are dipping their toes in for the first time!
Q: Why is there an application?
A: The purpose of this informal application is to gather information about potential participants in order to select a balanced cohort of no more than 16 participants.
Build a Drag Persona (4 week class)
Applications for the 4-week cycle of Drag Performance are closed. Stay tuned for future programming!
Whether you seek to unveil a drag character or simply step into a more empowered state of being, this 4-week 18+ class is a space to explore the power of personas. Through group games, solo writing exercises, authentic movement, and prompts for creation, we will experiment with different ways to express character and channel your persona, whether you are just dipping your toes into drag for the first time or already have a persona you’d like to develop further in a supportive environment. We will explore your character’s backstory, how they move, speak, their skills and superpowers, how they dress and look as well as how they can support you to live with more confidence in your daily life outside of drag. As part of this class, participants will receive resources and tutorials to develop their personas beyond the class environment. This workshop is for all genders and identities and centers queer and trans wisdom.
There will be NO culminating showcase for this class.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations more than 2 weeks in advance of the class will be accepted and refunds/credits can be issued.
Cancellations with less than 3 days notice may not be eligible for refunds.
Questions? Email info@bax.org