5 quick things you can do to get started in burlesque
Are you a newbie in burlesque world? It’s sometimes really daunting deciding when and how to start out. Not to mention breaking through the barriers to get that first act prepared and performance ready. Here are my five quickest hacks for getting started - so that you can work smartly and on a budget.
Create a mood board
Start a scrapbook/Pintrest or photo album with some key things that inspire you as an artist:
Colours, words, artists (not burlesque performers!), movie stars,
See this as a visualisation of some core elements that might ‘brand’ you
My top tip is making sure that your inspiration isn’t just drawn from burlesque performers. Of course we all have our idols. But it’s important that you draw your inspiration far and wide, and from many points of reference. There is already a Dita Von Teese and it’s pointless trying to imitate someone else’s brand or aesthetic.
Start with one colour and one good act
I remember really clearly when when Scarlett Jezebel started performing as part of a duo, the Southern Belles. In this team she wore usually just red costumes and her partner always wore purple. While they adapted and changed over time (and obviously she’s a really successful solo artist now!), I always think starting with one signature colour was a really smart move for name and brand recognition.
Starting with a signature colour is also financially smart. I continually see early career burlesque performers throwing down new acts all the time. You absolutely don’t need to create a new act every two seconds. Be financially savvy and build a core costume in one colour. Your second act or could mix and match into this colour scheme, or you could add a prop to a new routine that enhances the colour. Just be smart and build up your costume bases over time. You don’t need to do anything and everything at once.
From a producing perspective, I find my biggest frustration is not seeing emerging performers spending enough time on the core or first act. The more you can get this to a really polished place with a good quality costume, the easier it is to sell and market to more shows or clients. Stopping refining an act when its ‘half cooked’ or hasn’t been fully explored can be really frustrating. I know my Red Temptation act and my Showgirl acts have been through several renditions over 5 or 6 years before I was fully happy with them. Take your time!
Do your research
You get to do the exciting stuff! Dream big. Your inspiration board might be bigger and wider.
Research some stage names and see if something ‘sticks’.
Check the Australian Burlesque Register and Google and see if anyone has your stage name
Start calling yourself by your stage name in your classes or at events and shows. Make sure it sounds good backstage and that you are comfortable referring to yourself in this way.
Start some playlists
Start a playlist of songs you love. Rather than running into the temptation of creating new acts every 10 minutes, save a big playlist of songs. My good rule is that you need to hear your act song (or songs) at least 100 times and still be in love with it.
I’d also recommend starting a Youtube or Vimeo playlist and save performances you are interested in watching. Get a sense of performers outside your local scene. Explore the differences between countries, ages, styles and genres of burlesque. If you are going on stage you should be able to understand your point of difference and your performance style - hard to do if you don’t know what other styles there are out there!
Name up your strengths
It can be really easy to get disheartened when you start out. You are seeking stage time in an industry where there are more performers than opportunities. You might blow an event. Or you feel like your social media followers are sitting at 100 people and no one is taking any notice of you.
Sound familiar? Don’t take it to heart. If you love burlesque and want to perform and make a good go of it, it can take time - you need to be in it for the longer haul. Keep yourself motivated by making a list of your strengths or your achievements. This could be things like:
I’ve posted three times this week on social media
I have commented and engaged with other performers social media posts
I have booked a class
I performed onstage and got paid
I’ve applied for a show
I have shown kindness to another performer when they have had a hard time
I’ve spent 30 minutes this week on choreography
I talked to two performers at an industry event
Keep adding to your list. And pull that sucker out anytime you feel like a failure Again just something to reflect on when you feel lost or stuck!
Hope this helps! Tell me if you did any of these things? How have they worked for you?