Marlena Dalí is an extraordinary and multi-disciplinary drag and roving clown performer. Their advice to emerging performers, don't create work to fit what you think an audience will like. Make what you want to make! There will be an audience for it.

1. Tell us about yourself and your background? How did you come to be in the Inner West of Sydney? I’m the multiple award deserving drag clown Marlena Dalí. I was born and raised on Tongva land (LA) and I migrated to Warrang in 2010. Marrickville became my home early on as there was at the time, a prevalent underground arts community. I still live here on Gadigal and Wangal land to this day. 2. With WorldPride month kicking off in February, what does it mean to you? During Pride or Mardi Gras I like to focus on why I do what I do, and why it makes me proud. My career, my art (which is linked to my identity), my body (my politicised body), like many other queer bodies, has felt unloved or unsupported. Being given opportunities on broader platforms like WorldPride declares these bodies, these beings, as important and valued.

Sometimes it all feels so corporate and vapid, but when I take a step back and imagine what a 10-year-old me would think about WorldPride, that I get to be a part of it as an artist, I am grateful and I am proud.

3. When it comes to performing and your creative practice, what inspires you?

Historical queerness and fantasy worlds. I love paying respect to queer iconography from the 70s, the Baroque, animals and other life forms of this world. I feel queer art is linked to fantasy and sci-fi genres. It is through this link that we are constantly creating our own worlds. It is through these worlds that we feel safe to exist in our communities, on our dance floors and on our stages.

4. When you were starting out, what sort of collaboration did you seek, or where did you go to get info?

When I first moved to so-called Australia, I was broke. I didn’t have a smartphone, TV or a good internet connection. I didn’t even see Drag Race until way late. When I started out my inspiration came from old films, art, particularly by surrealists creatives, fashion books, and 70s glam rock music. I honestly started creating shows and booking myself and other performers.

Eventually I met other local artists in the Marrickville community and with the help of these artists and networking, people started to get to know and like me….I mean how could they not?

5. What advice would you give to any emerging performers who want a career in performance but are unsure where or how to start?

Performing is where you can be whatever you want and present whatever you want. It is your story to craft and tell; never forget that.

I highly recommend against creating work to fit what you think an audience would like.

Make what you want to make, and what you yearn to see in the world. There will be an audience for it, I promise. 6. Do you have any gigs or projects coming up? Speaking of new performers looking for where to start, I run a show every Wednesday at The Newtown Hotel called That’s Entertainment. It’s an open mic talent show/competition for anyone with any type of performance. All are welcome to get up on stage and do whatever they want! There’s vouchers for everyone who participates and a cash prize for whoever I and the special guest judge decide is the winner. It’s the weirdest regular event in town. Learn more about Marlena Dalí:

• Social Media: Instagram

Photo Credit: Courtesy of the artists.