About this Event
The Drag Masterclass returns for #YOUTHWEEK2024,
Join us for a 2 DAY Extravaganza of FREE and FIERCE workshops to help refine your Drag!
DAY 1: Start your engines - We are kicking things off with a heels Dance class instructed by the one and only Hollywood Jade - Resident Choreographer on Canada’s Drag Race and with help from Sanjina!
- Not a dancing queen? Don’t sweat, we welcome all levels of dance - from beginner to advanced! Just bring the heels, the sass, and get ready to WERK! Hollywood will also be giving an Artist Development Q&A at the beginning of the workshop. This class will be hosted at Wellesley Community Centre (495 Sherbourne Street), on Tuesday May 7th, from 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm.
DAY 2: Special guest instructor Miss Fiercalicious will be teaching a Drag Make-up Workshop: Camera vs. Stage Ready with help from the Virgo Queen. This class will be hosted at Wellesley Community Centre (495 Sherbourne Street), on Wednesday May 8th 2024 from 6:30pm – 9:30pm.
- You’ll learn the precise techniques behind painting your face for the Stage vs. Snatching your make-up for the camera, a lesson that will polish your Drag and completely elevate your life!
All levels of Drag experience is welcomed and we encourage Youth to explore their passion, elevate their skill sets and make meaningful networking connections with industry professionals!
These are FREE workshops geared towards youth from 13 to 24 years old from the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
Incentives: Each participant will receive a $50 Sephora Gift card where they can make purchases to add on to their make-up collection
Notes:
- Participants with an identified financial barrier, can be provided with specific make-up supplies that are needed.
- Past Drag Masterclass participants are welcomed to apply.
- There are ONLY 20 spots available for these workshops.
To apply, follow the instructions below:
Submission Details:
As there are only 20 spots - there will be a screening process, and 20 participants will be invited to join the class. You don’t want to miss out on this opportunity. Please include the following in your submission:
- All applicants must be from the ages of 13 – 24 years old to be considered.
- Full contact information including your Instagram handle to your Drag page. Your Instagram profile must be public so that we can view your page.
- Tell us about your Drag!
- How long have you been doing it?
- Why would you like to be in the class?
- Finally, all applicants must be available on May 7th and 8th for the entire class.
Note: We accept all levels of Drag, the instructors will be providing artist development support based on your level of Drag. This is an excellent opportunity to network with these instructors and be seen! Also, participants that took part in past Drag Masterclasses are welcome to submit, however will not be recieving a make-up supplies.
Application Opens: NOW
Application Deadline: April 18th, 2024
Application Follow-up: Participants will start getting confirmations of enrollment between April 25th to May 2nd. Applicants will be notified with further information including instructions, suggested base make-up products, etc.
Workshop Details:
DAY 1 - Heels Dance Class
Date: Tuesday, May 7th
Time: 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Location: Wellesley Community Centre (458 Sherbourne St)
Instructor: Hollywood Jade with help from Sanjina
DAY 2 - Camera vs. Stage Ready Make-Up
Date: Wednesday, May 8th2024
Time: 6:30 pm - 9:30pm
Location: Wellesley Community Centre (495 Sherbourne Street)
Instructor: Miss Fiercalicious with help from the Virgo Queen
DAY 3 & 4 (OPTIONAL) - Building Skills Through Recreation Employment Readiness Workshop/ First Aid Certification
Youth Week participants are guaranteed a spot in the Building Skills Through Recreation (BSTR) and Standard First Aid Training.
BSTR is an employment readiness workshop that provides youth ages 15-24 across the city of Toronto with various transferable skills and knowledge. BSTR supports youth with resume writing, job application processes, interviewing and opportunities to obtain various certifications such as: Standard First Aid, with the goal of securing employment in Parks, Forestry and Recreation.
Please note: Participants must attend all 4 days to receive BSTR and Standard First Aid certification
BSTR Dates: Tuesday/Thursday- May 14th & May 16th 2024
Time: 4:00pm- 8:00pm
Location: Wellesley Community Centre (458 Sherbourne St.)
Instructor Biography:
Miss Fiercalicious - Guest Instructor
Miss Fiercalicious (@MissFiercalicious) is a booked and busy viral sensation, who has solidified themselves as more than just a regular Queen, but a BRAND.
Miss Fiercalicious hustled their way to the top of the Toronto Drag Scene and landed a feature in the 2021 Tik Tok Canada- National social media campaign, Cosmopolitan’s Cosmo Queens series and made it to the top 5 in Drag Race Canada season 3!
Miss Fiercalicious has partnered with brands such as Ardell Beauty, McDonald's and has also made numerous cameos in commercials, movies, tv shows, short films & music videos!
Their extensive experience as an artist, performer, social media entrepreneur and pro networker will make Miss Fiercelicious a great asset to the Drag Masterclass guest instructor panel!
Hollywood Jade- Guest Instructor
Hollywood Jade (@HollywoodJade), Resident choreographer and guest judge on Canada's Drag Race, is a visionary with a passion for excellence who continues to find new and exciting ways to present his timeless creativity to the masses.
Hollywood Jade dancer/choreographer turned artistic director has showcased his multidimensional artistic creations on both the big and small screens, local and international stages, and has worked with some of the world’s greatest organizations, artists and talents.
Hollywood has been involved in the choreography for TV performances, tours, music videos and award shows for some of the globe’s biggest names, including Keshia Chanté, Snoop Dogg, Estelle, Bebe Rexha, and Meghan Trainor.
Hollywood will support Drag Masterclass class participants with the fundamentals of performing on stage and nailing choreography in preparation for the Annual Showcase!
Sanjina – Supporting Instructor
Sanjina (@sanjinadabishqueen) was a participant and winner of the first ever Drag Masterclass in 2019!
Sanjina made a television debut as a participant on OUTtv’s new Drag Competition Call Me Mother which aired on October 25th, 2021.
The Drag Masterclass helped Sanjina make valuable connections with industry leaders and mentors such as Priyanka, Hollywood Jade and Sofonda. Which helped her gain recognition and job opportunities in the Drag Industry.
Drag Masterclass History:
The Drag Masterclass was created in 2019 to provide free, assessable, professional training to at-risk 2SLGBTIA+ youth located in the GTA.
The masterclass was led by its head instructor Sofonda who is a Canadian icon who has been in the industry for 20+ years. She is one of Toronto's most bookable Drag Queens and has performed in the US, Brazil, Malaysia, and all over Mexico. She has also gained the attention of RuPaul himself.
Guest instructors include Priyanka who is the winner of Canada's Drag Race Canada and agreed to teach the class right after the filming wrapped for Season one.
Other guest mentors include Kiara, Miss Fiercalicious who are contestants of Canada's Drag Race and resident choreographer Hollywood Jade.
The Masterclass's success is due to it being a safe and welcoming space to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community where they saw familiar faces of people who hold merit in the entertainment industry and the 2SLGBTIA+ community.
Moreover, participants had access to professional training, a welcoming space, other youth with common interests with whom they were able to make meaningful connections with, food, TTC tokens, and tangible resources like a professional photoshoot and make-up that they could use to further develop their craft and entrepreneurship.
The Drag Masterclass has been sponsored by M.A.C Cosmetics, NYX Cosmetics, Jean-Luc Cosmetics, Black CAP, Woody's on Church, The Well and supported by Pride Toronto.
The masterclass is revolutionary as it has proven to break down barriers to participation in recreation programs.
It is the first recreational Drag Masterclass program of its kind in North America.
Drag Masterclass Alumni Success Story:
Sanjina (@sanjinadabishqueen) was a participant in the Drag Masterclass in 2019. She was the winner of the Drag Masterclass Showcase of that same year. Sanjina was a contestant on OUTtv’s new Drag competition Call Me Mother which aired in 2021. The Drag Masterclass helped Sanjina make valuable connections with industry leaders and mentors such as Priyanka, Hollywood Jade and Sofonda. Which helped her gain recognition and job opportunities in the Drag Industry.
For more information contact: [email protected]
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Wellesley Community Centre, 495 Sherbourne Street, Toronto, Canada
CAD 0.00
