Today we’d like to introduce you to Della-Kate Flower.
Hi Della-Kate, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
For almost ten years, I have produced horror-themed burlesque and drag shows in Gainesville, Jacksonville, and Orlando, Florida. My company Purple Nightshade Productions, LLC, was born from a champagne-soaked brunch with two friends who were also interested in horror production. After a year of research into the market, I hosted my first show in Gainesville at an old theater space and based on the reaction of the audience and money we made, I was encouraged to move forward with my idea.
Ten years later, we are still hosting weirdo shows in Gainesville and have completed tours and even our first horror performance festival known as the Hoggetowne Horrorfest.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The pitch is sometimes the hardest thing. Venues can want to pigeonhole horror between September and November. It’s my job to sell them on the idea that horror never sleeps and has fans all throughout the year. The storylines and the performers, along with my draw, are usually what convince them.
Then, there’s the sticky factor. Horror isn’t neat and pretty. It can be downright gross. So, the gross factor needs to be measured and tempered for each spot. Some shows won’t sell in certain venues. So it’s my job to figure out what kinds do.
The final obstacle is for me, personally. My day job is not connected to entertainment and with this form of entertainment, drag and burlesque, I have to be careful that the day job and the night job don’t mix.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Horror is having a resurgence right now. Realistic and horrifying scenarios are attracting audiences even more. There’s also been a rise in body horror and slashers. So for me, horror has a new shine on it. This means new shows and different approaches that I love to figure out how to incorporate into shows or themes.
It forces me to think outside the box and push my creative thought process to its limits. I also love weird and gross storylines, so I have to additionally think about what would sell and what is just a personal jam.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Sold-out shows, performers who return to me over and over, and venues that get excited when I seek them out. Having a solid reputation within the entertainment industry is definitely one to maintain and watch over. It would be how I definte success for myself as well as in others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://purple-nightshade-productions.square.site/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/purplenightshade2017
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/purplenightshade2017
