Today we’d like to introduce you to Eileen Dover.
Hi Eileen, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My drag career originated in Houston, TX (formerly by another name: Chlöe West) about seven years ago. I grew up on a prairie in the middle of nowhere, Texas in a graduating class of less than 100 people. I always knew coming from “nowhere” meant that I was going to make sure I go 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 in life. Drag has definitely exceeded the expectation of taking me somewhere more than what I imagined and daydreamed as a young gay boy in the middle of a prairie. Drag has granted me so many amazing opportunities, such as after less than a year of drag journey, I moved to Las Vegas to pursue the dreams of show biz. This leading me to be able to host my own shows in which gave me the opportunity to learn my marketing and witty abilities to express my talent through becoming a show director. Directing my own showcases which long description — short means producing casts for showcases, marketing/promoting, and concepts/themes. This has developed my strengths that I hold in drag giving me confidence in pushing myself further these abilities. After 4 years in Las Vegas, I decided to move closer back to family but not deep south country close and finding myself choosing Austin, TX. Covid occurred in that time frame of becoming an Austin resident so it put a pause on my drag career for live showcases however that pause gave me a chance to recreate, revamp and reintroduce my where my drag has brought me to the community of Austin.
Now locally in Austin you can swing by to support and see me at one of my showcases that I produce: My monthly drag brunch, “PLAYDATE” at Far Out Lounge on South Congress (the ONLY drag show in South Austin) providing you diverse talents from all over Texas. Featuring residential cast member – Cheri Bomb and residential DJ Mark Irwin; which you can follow via instagram @playdate.atx to keep up with show dates and next themes. A new showcase starting at Meanwhile Brewing Co. called “BrewPaul’s Drag Show” premiering June 18 – Saturday and can be followed via instagram @brewpaulsdragshow. Be sure to follow my instagram, @eileendover.foryou to see the many places I travel and special guest feature in other shows.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
A major challenge that my drag career had faced was moving to a whole other city with the resumé I had packed, ready to present and the whole entire country having to shut down for a global pandemic. However, this obstacle did have multiple advantages such as utilizing my wit and personality to showcase virtually and using my marketing tools to be more social media savvy than I was previously to the pandemic. In which this has pushed me to elevate and showcase my art of drag/personality to the world and provide humor and positivity to everyone on their social media feeds during this shutdown affected. Thus giving me a following that I take pride in every day and continue to lure others into my stream of drag to have something relatable and fascinating art of expression to follow.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I have learned in my years of growing success that you must invest in yourself to be invested into.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/eileendover.foryou
- Twitter: imactuallyatop
- Other: boothstager.com/collections/eileen-dover
Image Credits
Photo credits to Eric Magnussen (Boston, MA) & David Martinez (Los Angeles, CA)
