The Business of Drag in America’s Oldest Art Colony with Varla Jean Merman

In this episode of The Art Colony, Gaston explores the artistry of drag with Jeffrey Robison, better known as Varla Jean Merman — one of Provincetown’s most celebrated performers. Far beyond wigs and sequins, drag in Provincetown draws on theater, music, comedy, costuming, and cabaret, forming a multidisciplinary art practice that has shaped the town’s identity for decades. Varla traces the evolution of drag in Provincetown from the 1990s to today, reflecting on how the town became a crucible for drag excellence, what it takes to sustain a residency in a place with 30 shows a night, and how resilience and reinvention remain at the heart of the craft. This conversation places drag firmly within Provincetown’s art history — as vital, demanding, and transformative as painting or theater.