A friend of Climaxxx holds his hair ribbon while he takes a shot before putting on his wig ahead of a performance.
Shenandoah checks her makeup in her brother’s apartment kitchen before putting on a wig ahead of a performance. She made final adjustments to her appearance in a bedroom mirror as music and conversation carried through the apartment around her.
Emerald Envy breathes deeply and unwinds after performing at Harrisonburg Pride. Still in costume following the show, he stepped away from the crowd for a quiet moment as music and conversation continued around the festival grounds.
Performers prepare behind a curtain before the Mr. and Miss Black Pride Ball in Washington, D.C. Makeup, costumes and garment bags filled the backstage area as contestants and performers made final preparations ahead of the event.
Climaxxx reaches across a table to help Nick with his makeup while performers prepare before a drag show. Makeup palettes, wigs and costume pieces covered the room as the two got ready alongside other performers.
Nick smooths out his foundation while continuing to apply makeup before a performance in Fredericksburg. Sitting at a backstage mirror, he prepared alongside other performers getting ready for the show.
Nick lifts a lighted mirror toward her face to check her makeup while getting ready before a performance. She made final adjustments to her appearance as other performers prepared nearby.
Shenandoah blends foundation across her face while beginning her drag transformation ahead of the evening’s performance. Makeup, wigs and clothing covered the room as performers moved between mirrors preparing for the night.
Shenandoah performs “Feliz Navidad” twice in a row during a Christmas drag show as audience members break into laughter and tip money fills the stage. The crowd sang along and cheered as the performance continued late into the night.
Nick twirls his dress while singing to the audience during a drag performance. Audience members gathered near the stage as he moved through the room interacting with the crowd.
Gerryatrick applies a thick layer of makeup before a performance, covering her face in foundation and powder under backstage lights. Surrounded by mirrors, costumes and the noise of other performers preparing nearby, she works methodically, building the look she will wear on stage later.
Climaxxx waits outside a laundromat following a photoshoot in Harrisonburg. Still dressed from the shoot, she stood in the parking lot as traffic moved past late in the evening.
Johnny poses in front of a mirror while checking his appearance before a performance. Surrounded by makeup and costume pieces, he paused for a moment between preparations backstage.
Climaxxx runs across the dance floor mid-performance before leaping into the air and landing in a split as the crowd cheers around her during a drag show in Fredericksburg. Colored lights swept across the room while audience members pressed toward the front of the performance area.
Nick kisses an audience member after accepting a $1 tip during a drag performance. The interaction drew cheers from the crowd gathered near the stage as the show continued late into the night.
Tijuana, who works full time as a doctor’s assistant, prepares for a drag performance alongside other performers just days before Christmas. Backstage, performers adjusted makeup and costumes while bracing themselves ahead of the late-night show.
Climaxxx dances through a high-energy performance, narrowly missing audience members with her boots as she kicks across the stage.
The winners of the Mr. and Miss Black Pride Pageant are crowned at the end of the evening in Washington, D.C. Contestants, performers and audience members gathered near the stage as organizers announced the final results.
After the show, drag performers linger in the bar drinking and talking with audience members. At 2 a.m the bar closes for good and they go home.
Drag performers dance in front of a protester outside James Madison University during Harrisonburg Pride. Music from the celebration carried across the area as performers and attendees gathered near the demonstration.
Shenandoah wipes away her makeup after a performance, leaving traces of the look she wore earlier in the night. Remnants of foundation, eyeliner and lipstick stayed visible as she began removing the persona she had built for the stage.