AC Writers Unplugged

I discovered some intriguing tidbits about AC writers and decided to delve deeper into the world of the people behind the writing. Many writers here have atypical backgrounds, jobs, hobbies, quirks and passions.

I thought it would be fun and enlightening to share some of their individual lives with readers. You will be pleasantly surprised, often amazed, intrigued and at times humored by; what I unearth about some of our fellow AC Contributors. This is the third article in this series.

Nathaniel Wayne - Internet Retail and Drag Performer

Nathaniel came on board at AC in August this year and currently lives in New York. His passion for film resonates in his outstanding and well-written collection of movie reviews. If you would like to read Nathaniel's opinion of what he feels will be the holiday season's five "potentially terrible" films, check out his article here.

Sharing some of his intriguing life story with me, Nathaniel explained that along with writing and drag performing, he is the assistant manager of sales and customer service for an Internet retail company. On the lighter side he said, "What that means in plain English is; when you buy something online and then call them up to complain and ask for a manager...you get me."

Do Not Assume a Drag Performer is Gay

Nathaniel considers himself a "...all around geek with a particular addiction to film and animation." He is also "happily married" and celebrated his third anniversary in October. In his own words, Nathaniel said, "This one thing (marriage) seems to throw people off more than anything else." "I frequently have to make it clear to people that I am not gay, which goes against their assumptions."

He went on to say, "The notion that I'm not only straight, but married...people find hard to reconcile. Nathaniel also said the first thing people want to know after learning of his drag performing is whether or not, his wife "knows." "Not only is she aware, but she knew long before we were married and helped me learn make-up early on," he explained.

Touching on this a bit more, Nathaniel, whose stage name is Vera Wylde, clarifies his "personal definition" of drag queen in terms of "being a performer, opposed to just a cross dresser or transvestite, who may wear clothes of the opposite gender, but does not perform as such." "Certainly with cross dressers it's been fairly well-documented that a high percentage of them are straight." He added, "I think straight drag performers are rarer (though I can't be the only one).

Drag Performance Beginnings - Boston to New York

Nathaniel has been active in performing for five years and his start as a drag performer kicked off while he was living in Boston. Not dismissing the fact he took an interest in drag since his college days, he said he did not necessarily have any attraction, however, to the performance aspect.

That would change, though, when Nathaniel eventually took the plunge and staunchly launched into performing in a monthly amateur drag show, held at the bar where he worked. This would prove to be Nathaniel's inception into the world of drag entertainment.

A move by Nathaniel and his wife (then fiancée) to New York was not going to be unproblematic and in fact, Nathaniel said he found it difficult to break into the New York drag performance scene. About New York he related; "Once here I found it difficult to get started performing because (not unlike Boston) the drag community is filled with cliques and not knowing somebody puts you at a disadvantage." "In Boston, since I worked at the bar, I had a way in."

Discovering Burlesque and Fine Tuning

In New York, performing burlesque was something Nathaniel happily discovered was "not only much more open and inviting than drag; I found that what I liked to do with my (performance) numbers was already closer to burlesque than drag anyway." He explained, "I took aspects of what I saw in burlesque shows and adapted it to drag." Nathaniel said he now performs in both drag and burlesque shows around Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Nathaniel enlightened me as to why he does not fit what he calls "the standard drag queen performance." He said while his makeup is exaggerated and more than a genetic female would normally use; it is not nearly over-the-top and theatrical as most drag performers favor.

Nathaniel also related that he is "...not given to high-glam numbers, shiny gowns or Liza Minnelli." "I go for a more natural look in make-up and my style of performance is a mix of burlesque and drag." "Clothing removal is often an aspect of my shows, but I never intend it to be gratuitous." "I strive to tell some manner of a story with my performance pieces and favor intensity over glamour."

It is interesting to note; Nathaniel said payment to perform does not come often and if it does, it is "hardly a living wage." "This is not something you can do if you if don't just love to do it and are willing to lose money on it." Losing money refers to the cost of performance outfits and costumes, which Nathaniel said many performers make themselves from scratch, but he does not share in that skill.

Saying that drag performing is "extremely draining," Nathaniel was producing and hosting his own drag and burlesque variety show called "Drags and Dolls," which closed a few months ago and he thinks he'll leave it that way for now. He also works with the drag troupe "Switch N Play" and does some modeling as well.

What Does the Future Hold?

Nathaniel and his wife are planning a move to the Vermont countryside in the near future. He said that is where they would like to start and raise their family. Nathaniel realizes there will be "far less opportunity" in Vermont for his entertainment venue, but he hopes to get to New York once in awhile to visit friends and maybe work in an occasional drag performance.

I am positive Nathaniel will be a wonderful, sensitive father and success will follow this energetic man no matter where he decides to lay down roots. So, best of luck to you, Nathaniel, and many thanks for sharing this part of your private life with AC readers.

This is an ongoing series and anyone who would like to participate can send me a personal message via my AC contact tab.

Source:
Nathaniel Wayne