Sévérine Kpoti

MALED IT - Der Drag King Workshop

You’ve always wanted to dive into the world of Drag Kings or playfully experiment with masculinity?

In this playful and empowering format, we dive into the art of Drag Kinging: from character development and body language to makeup and beard application – together we’ll discover how to create your very own King. Whether you have experience or are simply curious, all gender identities and experience levels are welcome!
Drag Kinging is more than just dressing up – it’s a powerful performance technique, a space for queer and creative expression, and a playful way to break societal norms. In an open and appreciative space, we will try out different looks and movements, exploring what is inside of us.
Grab your glitter, a pinch of curiosity – and let’s MALED IT! 🎩✨

The workshop is led by Marilyn Nova White (they/them). They are a Berlin-based performance artist, actor, and Drag King with half-Bulgarian roots. In their interdisciplinary work, Drag, dance, theater, film, and live performance come together to question binary structures and make new narratives visible – with a particular focus on gender performance and transformative storytelling. After graduating in 2012 in Theater Pedagogy BuT from the Theaterwerkstatt Heidelberg, Marilyn has participated in numerous collaborations and productions, teaching, producing, and performing. Since 2018, Marilyn has been performing as a Drag King and sharing the love for it in workshops at renowned institutions and through international collaborations. Drag Kinging becomes a powerful tool of resistance, reinvention, and visibility. Through humor, embodiment, and character work, Marilyn explores identity, heritage, and fluidity, creating space for new masculinities beyond patriarchal norms.

  • History of Drag and historical ‘male imitation’

  • Role work

  • Body language

  • Vocal exercises

  • Makeover

Clothing/ Accessoiries
Bring clothes (pants, shirt, shoes, etc.) for the character you want to portray, as well as masculine-associated accessories (e.g. bracelets, headgear, tie, etc.). It’s a good idea to bring different clothing items so we can collectively choose something suitable or swap items with others.

Binding
Binding is optional and depends on your comfort and the type of Drag you wish to do. In the workshop, I’ll show how to bind using kinesiology tape. A basic supply of tape will be available, but feel free to bring your own materials if you have specific preferences. Alternatively, you can wear one or two sports bras or a binder.

Packing
Bring suitable underwear/boxers for packing, as well as socks or other materials to create an authentic bulge in your pants.

Makeup
If you'd like, bring makeup brushes, brown eyeshadow, beard, hand mirror, and hair scissors.

If you are attending the event in a wheelchair or have mobility restrictions, please email kultur@stw.berlin or call us at 0171 7936994 before the event. The venue is only partially accessible, as our elevator is unfortunately prone to malfunctioning.

Date

14 June 2025

Time

11:00 AM to 06:00 PM

Category

Participation Fee

26 € participation fee

Host

Kulturwerk Berlin

Location

FREIRAUM im Studentenhaus
Hardenbergstraße 35
10623 Berlin

Language

Veranstaltungssprache: Deutsch