How I Learned To Love Drag Part 2

Coming from standup comedy, I was used to performing on stage in front of a live audience. ECSTASY didn't for a number of reasons. We could tape at various locations. We could do as many takes as needed. There was less time pressure. Costume and makeup changes with a small cast became manageable.

Actually all the performers would have preferred a live audience's reaction. But the producer and director didn't need the extra pressure.

The outfits and sets or locations for the first show were pretty easy - a hockey rink, a girl's bedroom, a national park for the Survivor parody, and a school. The Attack of the Clones idea was put on hold. Due to budgetary considerations, the girl's bedroom was the only set constructed. The other skits were shot on location.

But the costumes and makeup were something I was not accustomed to as a stand up comedian.

For the pajama party, all the guys had to get into drag. I didn't know what to expect.

Daniel Roberts was the head makeup artist. Of medium height, slim, effeminate in demeanor, he was almost your stereotypical gay makeup artist. His long dirty blond hair was tied into a ponytail. He wore a light blue smock over faded khaki pants.

After shaking hands and the usual first meeting greetings, he directed me to what appeared to be a barber's chair.

"Honey," said Daniel, "the makeup for your character will be pretty light. We're going for the look of a young teenage girl. So we want a natural look. Lip-gloss maybe, longer lashes, a bit of contouring to give you a more girlish look, a medium length wig. With your skin coloring, we might as well go with your natural blonde hair color."

Daniel stood back for a moment. "Your eyebrows need to be thinned."

"Wait a minute," I interjected. "You're not really going to pluck my eyebrows, are you?"

"Oh no, heaven forbid! I'm just going to use a little glue and covering makeup to give the eyebrows a thin girlish arch. No plucking or waxing," said Daniel as he gave me a reassuring touch on the forearm.