We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Keri Oki. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Keri below.
Keri , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
It’s taken me a while to find my purpose in life. My drag career started when I was only 20 years old and now I’m 29!
I found my purpose when me and my best friend Elvie started our co produced production company called Big Table Productions! We initially started it here in North County San Diego to make more LGBTQIA plus events but then later promote and sponsor other LGBTQIA+ events who won need our help from just sharing their flyers to being a financial sponsor for them!
Big table productions celebrated their one year anniversary on July 3 this year and since we started, we were able to sponsor events that had deep causes like lip sync for a life hosted by local drag king Hans E Barr to help raise awareness of bone marrow cancer to helping raise money for Oceanside’s Pride by the beach 2026 to sponsoring local drag competitions in the San Diego area! Big Table believes in that everyone is allowed at our table because we all need a helping hand and we love to help where we can!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Hi everyone! My name is Keri Oki I’m a local drag performer here in SD also a Co Producer of Big Table Productions my best friend, Elvie!
I started doing drag back in Albany, New York starting in 2016 and nine years later, and 2 rebrands later… you have Keri Oki! I’m the live singing Queen of Southern California! I have performed from San Diego to as far as New York City and even claimed a few pageant titles on the way like Miss Gay Arizona US of A Newcomer 1st alternate 2024!
What has please stand out from other drag performers is that I am a live singer that tends to sing a lot of soulful blue classics that you might have forgotten from yesteryears!
Well, I’ve been very proud of the accomplishments. I’ve been able to make as a drug entertainer for almost 10 years now; I feel that nothing compares to big table productions.
We are a local production company in North County that believes that everyone is allowed at our people! We are super proud to have her on so many amazing events while still challenging our local performers with unique seems to each one of our shows! Our next event is October 22nd at 8pm located at Weir Beer called Night of a Thousand Whorror Films; we challenged our performers to take famous horror films and mash it up with their drag persona! It’s going to be incredible event and we hope that we can drag new faces into the crowd for an incredible night! If you’d like to come see us, we have to get the available on Eventbrite now! So we would love to invite everyone and anyone who would like to come out!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three best qualities?
I would say this to anybody who wants to break into the field of being a performer or frankly any business. Networking. I think it’s so important to get your name out in the community because you can be an amazing performer, but not even mention introduce yourself to local producers. I’ve always said closed mouth do not get fed so if you want to be booked, you better network!
Second; don’t be afraid to always learn or try something new! When I first started, I was always nervous to sing because I only really sang karaoke (ironic isn’t it?) and I did it and now I sing almost every show I do! Sometimes doing something outside of your comfort zone will help you blossom as an individual!
Lastly; don’t be afraid to mess up! I’ve lost my wig, my heels have snapped off, costume malfunctions, Sugar Honey Iced Tea Happens (catch the acronym) the show must go on! It’s like one of my favorite little shows said; “If every pork chop were perfect; we wouldn’t have hotdogs.” If you keep trying; I’m sorry not even trying but doing your best and constantly elevating that’s the success that you’ll reach every time!
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
The biggest area of growth? I’d say my non existent abs 😂
Jokes aside; one year ago; I feel I’ve definitely grown not just with my performances but my makeup skills, been turning looks, and reaching new audiences has really helped me grown! As a performer; I was the late bloomer in the drag scene and now I’m starting to flourish each time I step on stage, each time I have a brush in hand, and each time I have the spotlight on me!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Misskerioki / @big_table_productions24
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