In June, I began developing a pitch deck for new production shows for Virgin Voyages. By the end of the year, I was aboard the Scarlet Lady, overseeing the delivery of the first concept to come to life: Lights, Camera, Drag!
This show breaks the mold of traditional cruise ship entertainment. At its heart is The Diva, the ship’s resident drag queen, but this isn’t your typical one-person spectacle. By incorporating visual gags, stunning costumes, immersive video content, and live audience interaction, Lights, Camera, Drag! redefines what a drag show can be.
The concept is simple yet daring: The Diva acts out iconic films live on stage, blending real-time video integration with immersive storytelling and audience engagement. What seemed straightforward on paper quickly evolved into a technically complex production that required meticulous planning, adaptability, and a leap of creative faith.
Early workshops in the studio were instrumental in refining moments that truly resonated with audiences, while the technical demands of the production pushed me to expand my skill set. For the first time, I used Unreal Engine to create dynamic video content, alongside programming the QLAB show file, writing the script, editing audio, and balancing multiple creative responsibilities typically handled by an entire team.
Delivering the show during Scarlet Lady’s dry dock added logistical challenges, but the experience became a testament to resilience, adaptability, and collaboration. Fine-tuning the show until the very last minute and handing over to the onboard team was an unforgettable process, made even more rewarding by the incredible response from guests during the opening voyage.
Lights, Camera, Drag! is a milestone for me: my sixth production show for Virgin Voyages and an opportunity to push boundaries creatively and technically. The experience was a steep learning curve, but it underscored the power of innovation, trust in your creative instincts, and the magic of collaboration.
