How long have you been on the Drag Scene?
Two years

What does the term “drag” mean to you?
Being a drag king is about making parody of the masculine ideal; it is important to be critical of the power held by men in almost all areas of society. This is true even in queer spaces. The tendency to prioritize audiences of white cis gay men by casting primarily skinny white drag queens over other artists needs to be evaluated. While drag shows are often used as just an excuse to go out with your friends and party, they are also send a political message about what sort of queer expression is valued. For this reason, I only support shows that regularly feature POC, king, afab, fat, and trans cast members.

How do you separate your “dual identity”?
I started drag after a long dissatisfaction with my experiences in musical theater. I was tired of auditioning for a show and either being out right rejected by directors, or being told to put on a dress and pretend to be a woman in the back of the scene. I created Quinn Tessential so I could have agency over my performances. As a drag artist, you are the performer, director, sound designer, and costume designer of your number, so I created a drag persona that continuously excites me and inspires me to create. Also, it's just a fun, memorable name to perform under!

Who is your “go-to” artist?
I find drag shows the most entertaining when there is a mix of all sorts of artistic styles: glamorous, campy, dance based, horror, etc. This helps the next performer break the audience expectations set by the previous one. Drag is most effective, in my opinion, when multiple artists work together to display the diversity of queer expression, which is why I cannot just pick one person.

Greatest performing moment?
My favorite moments when performing are the moments when my improvisational instincts take over and I do or say something I wouldn't have thought of otherwise. An example is when I used a tape measure to make a dick joke and have it extend longer and longer from my crotch. While performing, I realized I didn't plan how to get out of this position, so the tape measure just collapsed to the floor. My instinct was to yell "I'm so embarrassed, that never happens!" And look embarrassed. That is now a permanent part of the performance I do every time.

Say something nice about one of your fellow performers?
Despite the vast difference in our drag styles, I always love seeing Jenna Cis perform. Their looks and physicality are always the perfect mix of eerie and beautiful.

Any special involvement in the GLBTQ community?
I was recently in the cast of La Cage Aux Folles at Lush, where almost the entire production team was part of the LGBTQ community. It was an honor to work with a group of kind and talented individuals to tell a story about chosen family and queer joy. My DM's are also always open to people interested in learning more about Twin Cities drag.

Where in the Twin Cities can you be seen?
I produce many of my own shows in the metro. I work mostly with breweries such as Urban Growler Brewing Company, Alloy Brewing Company, Forgotten Star Brewing Company, and Sisyphus Brewing. I also am preparing for a Nightmare Before Christmas drag show at The Saloon on December 21st. Lastly, watch out for me at Dragged Out, Gorgeous, and Girl on Girl at the Black Hart!

What words of wisdom would you have for someone just starting in the Drag Scene?
Be kind and humble backstage. Make relationships with artist you respect and learn from them while filtering out unhelpful criticism from others. If you can afford it, go out to all different types of shows and expose yourself to as many different types of drag as possible. Support kings, afab, POC, and alternative drag artists. Lastly, be what you want to see in the Drag Scene, not what you think other people want to see.

Who do you nominate for the next Drag Scene interview?
DaDDDy (@gutenmmmorgan on Instagram)