Before Vogua was released online, creators premiered Vogua in July 2015 in three Chicago neighborhoods where each of the artists live or work. Kiam hosted their premiere in a loft in Pilsen, known in the queer community for its large stage and for hosting a number of art events and parties. Saya hosted in Wicker Park at an artist-run space near her home, whereas Erik hosted in Lakeview at a bar where she started her career as a host and rapper. Each artist prepared a performance for the premiere. Surveys with guests after the screenings suggested that many attendees knew the artists and were diverse in race, gender, sexuality, income and education, though all were under 45. In interviews they expressed a desire to see more of the series, with more queer performance (dance, shade, sex) and character development. Meanwhile artists expressed pleasure at seeing their talent showcased among their communities, particularly Saya, who got ready for drag in front of the audience, revealing drag’s under-appreciated labor, and said: “I don’t get that kind of support from Chicago people!…This is real. This is respect.”