Powerpoint
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Example3.pptx
Humanizing:
Burlesque Performers
Misconceptions about Burlesque performers:
Performers are strippers are they have no other option
Performers are only looking for attention from men or to become famous
Performers do “more” then perform
Performers pick up men (or women) at shows
Performers make a lot of money
All burlesque performers are extraverted, party girls
Only fit, beautiful, white females perform burlesque
You must take off all of your clothes and expose your full naked body to the audience
The life of a burlesque performer is glamourous and luxurious
All burlesque performers are divas and competitive with each other
All burlesque is performed to big band style music in very feminine, 1950’s pin-up style costumes
All performers are professional dancers with years of training
A bit of history of the art of burlesque performance
Burlesque is a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works, or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects. This satirical art form combines elements of theater, dance, art, musical performance and comedy.
Burlesque came to the United States via English performer Lydia Thompson and the British Blondes in the 1860’s. Her troupe performed pieces relying on the display of shapely, underdressed women for social and political satire
Burlesque hits its peak between the 1860’s and 1960’s and is a rich, source of music and comedy for this period. During this time there were dozens of burlesque theater across the country and hundreds of performers including dancers, musicians and comics.
Burlesque theater owners in the 1900’s began producing vaudeville shows and brought burlesque and variety shows to the nation.
From 1930’s-to the end of its peak, performers traveled the US on a wheel (circuits of regional areas) all year long which kept the art form alive and provided stable income for hundreds of performers.
Gypsy Rose Lee became one of the worlds most famous burlesque icons in the 1930’s and the musical Gypsy which premiered on Broadway in 1959 is based on her memoirs
THE RISE OF NEO-BURLESQUE
Burlesque went into decline from the 1970’s to 1990’s due to the increase of more vulgar, X-rated strip clubs in towns across the country that allowed for cheap, quick thrills opposed to the more high-brow, classy experience
Strippers of the 1990’s began to become familiar with vintage burlesque performers and began integrating their styles into their performances
In 1992 Dita Von Teese became the first, mainstream neo-burlesque performer during this time by combining stripping with a glamorous vintage look while using her ballet training to perform completely en pointe. Her look and style has influenced most peoples idea of what burlesque should be
Theaters in big cities like New York and Seattle began showcasing burlesque performers in other variety shows and the art form began to spread like wildfire
There are now thousands of burlesque performers across the globe and is performed nightly in almost every big city in the US.
The community has also grown to such an extent that there are dozens of burlesque schools, festivals and competitions
The realities of Burlesque performance!
Burlesque is about the evolution of self and personal fulfillment through performance.
The Realities of burlesque performance:
Though some performers have a background in stripping most performers are hardworking, work full-time day jobs outside of performing and overwhelming hold college degrees
In Seattle alone the community includes nurses, teachers, nannies, professors, programmers, accountants, veterans, ship-builders, office and retail workers and those in just about any profession you can name
The audiences of burlesque shows is mixed and tends to contain mostly couples and women.
It is considered un-professional for performers to pick up men (or women) at shows
Burlesque performers are in no way wealthy! Most make between $50-100 a show and perform about 3-4 times a month which barely covers costuming and props. This requires most to work full-time to support themselves, build costumes and pay for lessons
The Realities of Burlesque performance continued:
Burlesque is accepting and all inclusive!! The world of burlesque welcomes all body types, genders, races, sexual orientations and disabilities. Performers are of all skill levels from professional dancers and actors to amateurs.
Burlesque presents the average person and allows the audience to find themselves in those on stage.
Performing burlesque does not require the performer to take their clothes off. Some performers never take off a stitch and entice the audience by exposing themselves emotionally on stage. Burlesque is about the tease not about nudity.
Burlesque performers are bound by decency laws in every state that dictate how much of their bodies they are able to expose. More often then not this requires them to cover all genital areas and wear pasties to cover their nipples if alcohol is being served in the same location.
Most burlesque performance is in no way glamourous or luxurious. Performers spend hours preparing costumes, rehearsing and prepping to spend less then 10 minutes on stage. Venues are often cramped, hot and have little lighting and stage space.
More realties of being a burlesque performer!
The burlesque community is extremely welcoming and warm! Though performers are in direct competition for performance spaces they create a “sisterhood of sequins” and help each other grow to become stronger performers.
Burlesque is performed to all styles of music and encompasses many styles of performance and costuming including acrobatics, musical and vocal performance, gorelesque house- specializing in blood, zombie and horror themes, and nerd-culture burlesque shows- which focus on geek-chic elements such as sci-fi, comic books and anime and many, many more.
Often burlesque performers are more introverted in their daily lives and prefer more quiet pursuits when not on stage. Partying is not often part of a performers day to day life and there are even support groups such as AA that are geared specifically to performers.
Performers are in no way expected to do “more” for audience members and do not exchange money for any kind of sexual favors.
Consent is paramount and the audience is not allowed to touch or interact physically with performers without their express permission.
Burlesque is an extremely time intensive hobby that requires passion! If you are not passion about this art form you will not succeed.
Burlesque is not only for those with money who can afford fancy gowns. The costumes of an average performer are handmade or made from used clothing and almost everything is DIY
Despite its satirical and bawdy nature, burlesque works to support the marginalized and accept those of all beliefs, morals and value systems.
Motivations for becoming a burlesque performer
Curiosity is the biggest motivator for becoming a burlesque performer! Many performers site attending a burlesque show for the first time and being enthralled by the performers on stage, making them want to take part in the fun.
“Who is this sparkly person and how do I become one of them?”-Maxie Milieu, Seattle burlesque performer and chorographer.
Burlesque is a revolutionary act of accepting ones self and appeals to those who wish to make a statement in an accessible, non-threatening environment.
Bonding with others in an unconventional way that creates a community of support.
More Motivations for performance!
Burlesque performance is always about self-creation and having a good time but is also motivated by other factors including:
Empowerment of Women
Feeling Beautiful
Creating Glamour
Making a Political or Social statement
Healing a Wound
Making a Spiritual Connection
Expanding One’s Mind
Stretching Your Comfort Zone
Making Others Laugh
Perle Noire’s Story
The Mahogany Queen of Burlesque," performs headline shows and teaches classes around the world. She grew up poor and never received formal dance or theater training, but she was drawn to ballet and ballroom programs on TV at a young age. After years of dancing onstage at the Excaliber in Las Vegas Perle relocated to the Big Easy. Inspired by Josephine Baker, Perle took the New Orleans burlesque scene by storm in the early 2000’s.She sees burlesque as cathartic and therapeutic. As she is often the only women of color to appear in a show-she finds it healing to get the same, if not more, applause as she white show mates. She does not specifically have a stage persona as some performers do and sees herself as the same person on stage and off.
Sara Dippity’s Story
Sara was raised in a very religious household in Eastern Washington. She was taught to be submissive and ashamed of her sexuality. After attending college for theater and voice, she relocated to the Seattle area. After attending a graduation show for the Seattle based Academy of Burlesque she was hooked and decided to use the art of burlesque to showcase her talents and empower herself. She sees burlesque as a means to break the social bonds she was encased in as a young girl and to heal the wounds of shame of her sexuality. She now produces a monthly burlesque show and yearly scripted burlesque plays on topics such as Star Trek and X-men. She also runs a monthly peer review event, “Tassel Talk” that allows performers to present new acts in front of their peers and get constructive criticism and hone their skills.
Little Bear’s Story
Little Bear, “The Bearded Butterfly”, is Seattle burlesque’s bearded lady. She suffers from Polycystic Ovarian Disease which often causes women to have increased facial hair growth. 2 years ago she decided to stop removing her excess hair and began accepting her differences. A trained opera singer, Little Bear performs acts that encompass both burlesque and opera. She also is part of the sideshow community which once was one of the biggest supporters of burlesque performers. She wants to be the example to others that radical self-love is healing and by sharing our differences with others we make the abnormal the norm.
Minni Bobbins’ Story
I began performing burlesque under the persona Minni Bobbins in 2009 after many years as a theatrical costume designer. At the time I was in an emotional abuse relationship that left me with little self-esteem or self-worth. I took classes to increase myself esteem and after attending many shows all I wanted to do was to be part of the art I saw on stage. After that relationship ended I used performance as I method of intense mental healing. I performed 3-4 shows a week for 6 months and became a big part of the nerdlesque community in Seattle. I feel blessed to be part of such a wonderfully strong, supportive community that continually helps me grow not only as a performer but as a person. I perform acts that express the joy in taking control of ones life and doing the things that make your soul happy or satirize pop culture icons. I see burlesque as a means of connecting with others on a level that we are not able to on a day to day basis. I currently perform, produce shows, help run “Tassel Talk” a peer review event and offer mentoring to newer performers.
Performing burlesque can also be a means for a woman to take back something that was stolen from her by various circumstances in life, or that she never had. Higher self-esteem, body confidence, courage and sexual power are just a few of the benefits that women claim to reap in the world of burlesque, all with the encouragement from fellow female performers and adoring fans. - Dita Von teese
