On Point With: Isaac Miss Isaac

With her roots in theater, Isaac Miss Isaac is currently turning it out on Brooklyn’s drag stages.

Thotyssey: Isaac, hello! Thanks for chatting today! How’s February treating you so far?

Isaac Miss Isaac: February has been a lot, both big and small. Like, drag life-wise it’s been good… been pretty busy at All Night Skate, of course, with Drag Race viewing parties every week with my sister Crystal Hart. Then with some Valentines Day shows like Siobhan’s “Freakshow: Love Pink,” and “M.I.C.”(Crystal’s and my game night). Then life-wise, it’s been busy with my day job stuff in theatre–stage managing a production at La MaMa called Very Fine People and costume designing at Queensborough Community College for a show about the Stonewall Riots called Hit the Wall.

Then of course, just making it through the big “a lot” that has just been the coup of our administration, tragic trans murders–especially trying to process what Sam had to endure for two months–and trying to keep community close so we can all survive and hopefully thrive.

There is definitely so much happening, and so much to process.

Has theater always been your thing growing up? And where was that?

So I’m an Army Brat–born in Germany, moved to Colorado, back to Germany, upstate New York, Delaware, back upstate, and finally to NYC post-undergrad. Theatre really became a big part of my life like post-sophomore year in high school, doing Hairspray in the chorus. Then while doing community theater, I learned more about behind the scenes. I went to Ithaca College for Theatre Studies, doing all backstage stuff like stage management and design work, which then brought me to NYC. Theatre started my makeup journey and showed me the ability to transform. Pretty much an early drag beginning.

How did you discover, and ultimately come to partake in, actual drag?

So walk with me on this journey. First in high school I ended up watching Season 2 of Drag Race. I found it as I was flipping through the channels, and had my hand on the return button on the remote to flip to something else. I was inspired. Through high school, mostly junior-senior year, I started with some basic makeup for the theatre and got to start looking at costume stock. When I got to college, I creeped in beginner drag–like a dress, a cape, a smokey eye. I was full boy with a liner, calling myself Girl with a Pearl Earring.

Around this time “the dip” was popular, and I was a young twink who used to basically just let me body fall to the ground at any theatre party. I did a semester in London and saw drag in person at the clubs, which I think started making it a little more comfortable to dip my toes into. So I did a drag show my junior year. I was giving Matthew Anderson–white beard with a wig made out of paper. I was horrible, in a Speedo–like, bugle out man, who should have been stopped.

I moved to NYC at the end of 2016, and started to get a little more into nightlife. I was a bearded queen and was called Miss Is, because I liked the tag line “oh who is she?” By that time I was getting my Masters in Performance Studies at NYU, and had a semi-performance artist type idea to drag. I studied with Karen Finley, so I was more approaching things as almost gender queer performance. Once I graduated, I competed in “Iconic” Season 1 at Icon in Astoria hosted by Heidi Haux.

I think that’s when I fully committed to drag, and it was like an early boot camp for me. I did get “Miss Congenitally,” but that’s half because the judges were like,” oh, she tried… give her something.” My prize was a cookie. Every other contestant was fab; I meet Sherry Poppins there, Andy Starling, Cissy Walken… oh, the list can go on. Like, they were drag queens and I was still a boy playing in drag. It’s been a long journey that I could continue on about… like I’ve been doing this for seven years now, and I finally feel like I’m doing actual drag.

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How might you describe your own aesthetic and performing style today? Looking at your IG, it looks like a pretty wide variety of lookery!

So yes, the looks have been great these past few weeks. Like, I’m a costume designer, and I’ve been doing commissions for other drag artists for the last three-ish years–so if I don’t look good, I’m not hired, lol. I love the look part of drag; this year is all about big shapes… so more shoulder pads, higher wigs, and more clownery. I feel like my aesthetic this year is “put on the drag.” You want it big, bold, and to be showstopping. Do all the jewelry, the lashes, the fingernails. I like sewing, and my parents have sent me so much random fabric that I need to put to use.

So like a few weeks ago I made Crystal and I matching sequin dresses, and now have sequins in my apartment forever. I upcycle old dresses, and just trying to push myself to make new things like a jester hat. Last Thanksgiving, I made myself a giant showgirl turkey tail. This year, Crystal says I love a Jonbenet Ramsey silhouette. I say I’m embracing being a queen.

My performance style is a bit more comedic this year. I’m making new mixes, and trying to streamline the performances. I love a prop, garage band, and a good look. In the past I used to throw everything and the kitchen sink into things, but now I just want to have some fun and just polish that up.

By the way, how did you come to start doing shows with Crystal Hart?

So I’ve known Crystal for a bit. For a while we were doing things in passing, like the Rosemart, and finally for Season 15 she was hosting a Drag Race viewing party at All Night Skate and invited me to guest co-host. I did it a few times that season. Once that wrapped, we did a monthly show called “Weekly Wrap-Up” that was once a month. It was our talk show that was, like, 10 news segments. I love a PowerPoint, and Crystal loves the news, so it seemed to blur together. For Season 16, I was made a full time co-host for the viewing party; we started doing more shows, photoshoots, and making matching looks.

Thats when we really became sisters. Through the year, we did/do “M.I.C.” (Mondays with Isaac and Crystal) that’s more games, things like trivia… we do a flip of “What’s In My Bag” called “What’s in Your Bag,” AKA which ever audience member has the oddest thing in their bag gets a drink ticket. That brings us to Season 17, where I think we have amped up our game the best these last few weeks. I joke… I’m a part time queen ’cause it’s really these weeks I work the most that I want to rest and grow the beard back out.

What did you two think of the “Snatch Game” in the latest ep of Drag Race, and how was your audience feeling it? Personally I found it abysmal… worse than the Willow Pill season!

Oh that “Snatch Game” was the worst; like, we had people apologize that we even had to talk about it on the mic. Heard a rumor that even Ru is ready to cut “Snatch Game” because it was so bad. Luckily it was Valentines Day, and we could talk about other stuff and try to play matchmaker with the audience.

Anyone you’re liking in the season so far?

There have been a few stand outs. I think Suzie Toot has come in strong and focused. I love a musical theatre / tap dancing girl. Lexi Love has been great to watch, in the talking heads and on the runway… hate that they call her grandma. But my eye has been looking for Onya Nurve. I think her personality really shines through, and I could see her winning the season. I think she has the ability to sell the package both reality TV-wise and drag wise and Ru seems to be eating it up.

What else is coming up for you?

So of course, the Drag Race viewing parties; this Friday we are doing our Wicked megamix to the biggest production we’ve ever seen. New costumes, new props, new movie mix. I’m actually running to Junior Mintt’s tomorrow to pick up some green foundation. In March, Crystal and I are doing our annual St. Patrick’s Day show “Magically Delicious” on Saturday, March 15th.

Theatre-wise, Very Fine People has a free reading March 1st and 2nd at LaMama. And Hit the Wall is the end of March at Queensborough Community College, if you want to see some Judy Garland Funeral Drag. In terms of projects. I have a few commissions I’m working on… aiming to learn a few more skills this year design-wise really play with patterning.

If I could, I would love to just do a small shoutout bit. I just want to thank Danny, Olivia, Mitch, Steve, and the crew at All Night Skate. Much love to my drag sister Crystal Hart, and of course get some Tita Ganja treats from her. Finally, thanks to my boyfriend Noah for carrying my drag bags and caring for this queen.

Excellent! Okay last question… what’s the most essential item in your drag bag, cosmetic or otherwise?

My mind bounces around to a variety of things, ’cause my bag usually has a million things in it. Doing big drag means a big bag. Like, I gotta go through checklists before I even leave the house. Part of me wants to say crocs, for comfort. Part of me wants to say pads (half the time in this cold, I’m already wearing them on the subway to get ready at Crystal’s).

I’ll say a fan–a classic black fan–if it is hot in drag. Half the time at All Night Skate, I end my number by walking out the door. I need to chill down, and walking out to cold is key cause I’m basically wearing a snowsuit inside.

Thanks, Isaac!