The workshop will be led by Marilyn Nova White (no pronouns; they/them). They are a Berlin-based performance artist, actor, and drag king with partly Bulgarian roots. In their interdisciplinary work, they combine drag, dance, theatre, film, and live performance to question binary structures and make new narratives visible – with a particular focus on gender performance and transformative storytelling.
After graduating in 2012 in Theatre Education (BuT) at Theaterwerkstatt Heidelberg, Marilyn has participated in numerous collaborations and productions, as well as teaching, producing, and performing. Since 2018, Marilyn has been performing as a drag king and sharing their passion through workshops at renowned institutions and in 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 forms of masculinity beyond patriarchal norms.
- History of drag and historical “male impersonation”
- Character work
- Body language
- Voice exercises
- Styling / transformation
Clothing / Accessories
Bring clothes (pants, shirt, shoes, etc.) for the character you’d like to portray, as well as masculine-coded accessories (e.g. bracelets, headwear, ties, etc.). It’s helpful to bring a variety of items so we can choose something suitable together or exchange with others.
Binding
Binding is optional and depends on your comfort and the kind of drag you want to do. In the workshop, I will 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 a pair of socks or other materials to create a natural-looking bulge.
Makeup
If you like and have it: makeup brushes & makeup for contouring.
