The Burlesque Handbook

So many of you are reaching out to me and asking me so many incredible questions, I thought this would be a good opportunity to introduce a friend.

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I did not have a handbook like this when I started out in Burlesque. I started out in a very small town, nobody was doing it there, I was the very first, I had zero experience or understanding of exactly what I was doing because at that time I didn’t really know anybody in the industry well enough to ask. Even if I did ask, I was raising two children, definitely did not have the money to take classes from anybody or travel. The closest place that was actually doing real burlesque was Chicago, three hours away from where I was living at the time in LeClaire Iowa.

There was a cute little dance troupe that called them selves a burlesque troop in Iowa city, their show was adorable, I went a couple of times, but it wasn’t true Burlesque. There was no nudity at all. They were sweet performers and did a great job but they did not dare remove any articles of clothing that would show anything at all so it was kind of a play. But it was still really cute and I still really enjoyed the experience but I wanted to know real Burlesque. I wanted to know the nitty-gritty, I wanted to see stripped down Burlesque.

The one book that I could get my hands on was “the art of the tease”. I devoured this book! Over and over and over again I devoured this book. But it was missing some really important information that I really needed.

A lot of the information seems to be right here in this great Burlesque handbook by Jo Weldon.

I remember the first time I ever worked with Jo, it was so cool! i’m sure she has no recollection of me at that event because I was quiet as a mouse and tried not to bother anybody behind the scenes. It was the New York burlesque festival 2015 or 2016... I think? Dates all just run together anymore but it was an incredible experience to watch everybody. To see how much passion and creativity was out there, it was a mind blower. By that time I have been working in Chicago fairly regularly doing private parties and working with my Chicago friends so I had a little bit more experience than when I first started all that time ago but still I had no idea that there was a burlesq handbook!

But I clearly remember working in New York that night. It was no joke. In Chicago I had all of my friends and acquaintances to fall back on, I had eventually opened up and taken classes in Chicago and met a great crew but in New York I knew nobody. Our production studio was there so if anything happened of course I would’ve been taken care of however, I didn’t know anybody. It was incredibly intimidating, I cried before I went into the show, cried in the bathroom at the show, cried after the show, definitely felt like I was not good enough to be on that stage but, I WAS on that stage. I must have had something offer. I was scared but something cool happened... The Maine Attraction. It was such a beautiful moment because I was so uncomfortable and it was probably quite obvious that I did not fit in however, here comes this beautiful statuesque burlesque beauty from down the hall, coming over to check on me. Coming over to say hi, ask me some questions, make me feel like I fit in to this city slicker crowd. I was obviously a bumpkin. She took her time, went out of her way to make me feel comfortable when she really should have been concentrating on the fact that she had to go on stage and work, I will never forget that. For the rest of my life I will always remember that. I don’t remember what she was wearing but I remember exactly how she made me feel. I’ve done my best to take that example to heart I try to make others feel welcome.

It’s an intimidating experience to get on stage naked especially in front of the best performers in the world… What the hell was I thinking even trying to do that show? But still, I had a great time, I learned so much! And I made a beautiful friendship out of it and planted seeds for friendships that would sprout in years to come. I remember being wowed by Dirty Martini, Angie Pontani, Jo Weldon, Calamity Chang, the main attraction, so many more!

We all have moments where we feel small, insecure, like we don’t fit in, handbooks like this one can help you understand the culture of a green room in a burlesque show. This handbook can really give you the opportunity to go into that green room putting your best face forward.

There are so many sides to this industry and so many pieces that fit differently in each place depending on where you are in the United States or around the world. Just like with anything else when you travel it’s good to know etiquette.

Every burlesque troop in every town across the world has different etiquette although many things are still the same, it’s really important to understand what the etiquette is.

Backstage, onstage or front of house, there are rules. Often times unwritten rules, until now. If you are in Burlesque or you want to know how it works and why, this is the book you want to read first. I wish this was the first book I ever read on Burlesque.

But more than anything, I will tell you to move with confidence and compassion. There is never a reason to feel insecure in a burlesque community. Just walk with confidence and compassion. If you walk into a green room cocky and arrogant and judging people, you’re gonna feel like shit because you’re going to assume people are doing the same to you. If you walk in humble and kind and as well put together as you can be, you will have a much better experience and create more lasting relationships both with the cast and the audience.

Make sure to take your time preparing. When I’m preparing for a show I take the entire day. I make sure I’m not working that day outside of the show. I really try to focus and spend my time practicing and having fun and just dancing for fun before I go into a room full of people and have expectations put on me. Try to stay in character the entire day if possible. I Dedicate the entire day to that experience. We all have our own ways of working, this is mine.

Anyhow, get the book, it’s an incredible behind the scenes look at what Burlesque performers actually go through and a wonderful opportunity to learn if you are a performer who’s wanting to refine their craft.