Welcome to Burlesque FUNdamentals!
Thank you for joining me for Burlesque FUNdamentals! I'm excited to guide you on this journey of self-discovery through the art of burlesque. In this workshop, we will focus on learning a group choreography to be performed at Tease Studio's Fall Showcase - TeaseTV. Our piece will be called About Damn Time and you'll start learning it during our first class together. We will learn approximately one minute of choreography each week with our final week focused on running it in costume and 'cleaning' it up. But in addition to learning choreography, we're also going to explore the beginnings of the art of the tease to further prepare you for your big debut.
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During our first class, we'll focus on your burlesque persona. The great opportunity of burlesque is you get to explore a different side of yourself through the mask of a stage alter ego. It can be as close to your core self or as far from it as you want it to be! You want to have a stage name selected by class #2.
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In class 2, we will begin to learn about the dichotomy of the artform. The bump vs grinds, the shimmys vs shakes, your tease into your exposure. This artform is about a fun balance. The definition of burlesque is farce, but at it's core, it's sexy. This balance of sexy and funny or whatever dichotomy you like, it's about this balance.
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In class 3, we will start to think about mapping an act. What comes first, the chicken or the egg? Or in this case, the story or the song? What do you want to look for in a song? What story do you want to tell? What's musicality? How much is choreographed and how much isn't? We will discuss all this during our time together.
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In class 4, as previously mentioned, we will focus solely on preparing you for your debut on September 21st! We will take everything we learned and put it all together. In addition to this class, we will also try to have one final optional rehearsal the prior Monday night (9/8) at 9pm-10pm to weave in our "backup dancers" who will be there to take some of the pressure off the your big debut (we always love stripping with friends more than stripping alone). :)
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Below are some exclusive resources only available via this link, only shared with those of you in this class. Please don't share the link outside of your classmates, but please take any resources to keep for yourself in your continued burlesque journey or in your memories of this life-changing experience.
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Welcome to the community!
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Contact me!
Instagram - @georgiamaywake (for quick responses)
Email - georgiamaywake@gmail.com (for more substantial communication)
Resources
Below you can find some great performers to research (Youtube and your favorite search engine are your friends), costuming tips and resources, and a link to an album of reference videos from class each week.
Costuming Tips & Resources
Locally - I recommend any thrift stores, Femme Fatale, Wizard's Chest, making your own! (YOUTUBE!)
Online - Amazon for sure and any other places you like to buy your current clothes
Check out these amazing artists for lessons and inspiration: Christina Manuge, Vanessa Davis/Skulltress Masterclass
How to make pasties:
1. Draw correct size circle for you from construction foam (art supplies). Draw a circle slightly larger than what you would need for your aerola size.
2. Cut a line from center rounded edge to center of circle. Using E6000 and a clothes pin, glue overlapping flaps on top of each other and hold together with the pin. Wait 24hrs before proceeding.
3. Decorate your pasties! For this act, we want them to look like clocks set to the time of your number of doctor.
Be creative!
Video Reference - This artist uses hot glue, but I don't do that as it can melt the foam. Also, we won't be adding a tassle. Just making a clock design.
Amazing Performers
Whether you prefer the more classic style or wish to dabble more in the art of nerdlesque, below are some great performers to research:
Classic: Frankie Fictitious, Dixie Evans, Jenny Lee, Dita Von Teese, Tempest Storm, Dirty Martini, Medianoche, Raquel Reed, Jezabelle Thunder, Kerri N Fuego (Tease Instructor)
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Nerdlesque: Kater Tot, Tigger!, Polka Dottie, Madazon CanCan, Margo Mahem
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Boylesque/Draglesque: Indy Fire, Penny Spectacular, Samson Night, Dr. Bones, Poseidon Davenport, Bender Flames
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Other Favorites of Mine, I'm not sure how to classify them... Memphis Moonshine, Fannie Spankings, Izohnny, Jake Dupree, Bettie Belladonna, Staza Stone, Ily Royale w/ Cheese
And so many more!!!
Video Reference
Check this Google album for videos from class to reference as you practice between classes.
Costuming for you!
After class #1, you should know which Doctor you will be. Here is a link to a photo of all the Doctors, but you will need to do your own research to learn the full costume. Please reach out if you are lost on how to do so. I'm always happy to help! But here are the costume pieces you will need:
1. Clock Pasties - Note the instructions above
3. Shoes, shirt, pants, and jacket that matches your Doctor's outfit. You won't remove the shoes, but you will remove the jacket, pants, and shirt as part of the piece.
4. Full undies that match the same blue as the bra. Example 1 Example 2 Example 3
5. Your very own sonic screwdriver. Here are some images. You shouldn't buy one unless you want to. These can totally be DIY!
6. Capezio Nude Fishnet Tights (this is the one item that, though pricey, is super worth it)
HOMEWORK!
POST WEEK-2 THINGS TO WORK ON...
Two assignments!
1 - Practice your dichotomies:
Shimmy (top engagement) - All about the shoulders
Shake (bottom engagement) - Football hurdles and the washing machine KEEP THAT BOOTY-HOLE LOOSE!
Bump - sharp, staccato movements
Grind - fluid, smooth movements
Tease - Where do they look to hide what you don't want them to see?
Reveal - Showcase your ASSets!
2 - Start to think about what you would want your first solo act to be!
* What is the theme of the piece?
* What is the song you'd want to dance to?
* What does the costume entail?
Come prepared to share your thoughts as we discuss the process for mapping out a burlesque act. Hint: Storytelling is key!
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COSTUMING
Try to have ALL your costume pieces by 9/1 (our next class). They don't have to be altered or bedazzled, but you will want to have all the pieces to start practicing the actual removals. Try your first draft at the pasties! You may get them in your first go, but it's great to plan to do it 2-3x just to give yourself enough time to figure out the nuances of the art form of pastie making.
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CHOREOGRAPHY
Utilize the videos provided in your reference album as well as the videos you took from class. I will take video of me doing the counts and mirror them to reduce confusion while you practice over the next two weeks (give me time to finish healing, but I'll share soon). Please try to meet up with your fellow classmates to start practicing together on your own before our next rehearsal. I know that you all were already working on scheduling it. Make sure to nail down the time because it's so beneficial for you all to practice together! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. I'm always happy to clarify counts or movement.
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Great class this week! Thank you for your patience with me through my injury. I'm sure I'll be back to normal by our next time together. Can't wait!