Passing the Torch: Performance Studio’s Marvelous Makeover

Performance Studio changes hands to Steven Raimo (aka Veronika Electronika) and husband, Tristen Jackson, of Pozzi Entertainment Group Inc.

By Selena Haynes • Photos Provided by Steven Raimo/Veronika Electronika

Performance Studio has been in business for 33 years and Steven Raimo has been a customer for 20 of those years. “Performance Studio obviously has been a Nashville staple not only for the drag community, but the theater community and the music community for many, many, many years,” Raimo said. “When I started doing drag in 2002, I was like ‘Where do you guys even buy all this stuff’ and everybody’s answer was always ‘Go to Performance.’”

Performance had everything an entertainer would need. They had makeup, wigs, costumes, tights and a staff that could make the look you wanted happen for you. “It was really a one-stop shop for drag. I kind of became a very good customer as most of the drag performers in Nashville and the rest of Middle Tennessee did,” Raimo said. “It was kind of sort of a Toys R Us, if you will, of the drag world.

The first location of Performance was on Church St. in downtown Nashville. Glenn Alexander and Gary Broadrick opened Performance in 1989 as a professional-grade makeup shop where they credit their House Brand of Performance Cosmetics as what started it all. They quickly expanded to offer costume sales and rentals, wigs, and accessories.

They grew so much that by 2009 they needed a larger building. They found it on Thompson Lane in what used to be an old skating rink called Rollerdrome. As often happens, the building on Thompson Lane was sold in 2019, which caused Performance to pack up and move to the Hickory Hollow area. That wasn’t the only change though. The original owners sold it to two of their employees, Ryan and TK Kelly.

The Kellys took ownership in January 2019, but had to close in May 2020 after COVID hit. There simply wasn’t a need for costumes, makeup, wigs, jewelry, etc… so they couldn’t make rent. They sold off quite a bit of inventory of which Raimo actually purchased a lot for himself. However, they didn’t shut down completely. The Performance Cosmetics website remained up for online sales and the Kellys rented booth space at Music Valley Handmade for a short period until it closed down.

At this point, Raimo had already talked with the Kellys about purchasing the business. While the numbers weren’t right before, this time they were. Raimo is currently in the process of moving all the inventory to its new location and adding it to the website. Raimo said, “I just didn’t want to see the company get folded up. I really feel like it’s still a need. I really wanted to continue the legacy of such an amazing part of Nashville.”

For now, purchases can be made online as there aren’t any immediate plans of opening up a brick and mortar store just yet. They are working on partnerships with local salons and will still be using the existing
formulas for mixing their proprietary blend of foundations and powders, which can’t be found anywhere else.

ABOUT PERFORMANCE STUDIO
You can find out more about Performance Studio and place an order online by clicking here: performancestudio.us.

Be sure to check out the Veronika Electronika merch while you’re there.
Phone: 615-596-4025
Email: [email protected]