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 3-minute choreography to be performed at Tease Studio's Spring Showcase - All Things Tease. Our piece will be called Ice Cream 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 March 23rd! 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 next Monday night at 9pm-10pm to weave in our "backup dancers" who will be there to take some of the pressure off the final big reveal (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 triangle through the center out. Cut the outer edge to give a teardrop shape.
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 a scoop of ice cream in a cone. Be creative!
Video Reference - This artist uses buckram, but I personally prefer construction foam which can be found at any art supply store. The foam doesn't require multiple layers.
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!
Your costume should reflect the flavor of ice cream of your choice. Think of what colors and little additions can really sell your costume as your flavor. 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. Ice Cream Pasties - Note the instructions above
2. Bra that opens from the back
3. Cute shoes that are comfortable for dancing
4. Full undies that say Ice Cream across the booty (get creative!)
5. Short flared skirt
6. Jacket (think bomber style, but could be other styles)
7. Capezio Nude Fishnet Tights (this is the one item that, though pricey, is super worth it)
HOMEWORK!
POST WEEK-3 THINGS TO WORK ON...
YOUR SOLOS
Great work on thinking through your first solo ideas! Please keep working on them if you have interest in performing. Tease always takes applications for solos for showcases and would love to have you apply to perform. As you are thinking it through, don't lose my contact info! Even after this class, I will always be here as a resource. Think of me as your Burlesque Mom! So reach out and let me know if you need any support with song editing, storyline, choreography, costuming, or anything else you can think of. I'm here for you! If you decide that your group performance is your one and only burlesque performance, that's also ok. As long as burlesque has brought you some joy, you've ACED this workshop! :)
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COSTUMING
Keep working on your costumes! Now that you have all your pieces, it's time to BEDAZZLE!!!
A wax stick max it so much easier
Size 5mm or larger is WAY easier to work with.
AB style has a rainbow effect that I ADORE! They catch the light so well. So if you're looking for different rhinestones, try some AB. It's good stuff.
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CHOREOGRAPHY
Utilize the videos provided in your reference album as well as the videos you took from class. This week it is not mirrored, but if you would like a mirrored version, let me know and I will provide it. I know you all met previously. If you can continue to meet over the next couple of weeks, it will just help you feel more prepared for your performance! If you have any questions, I'm just a message away! Next week, we will be answering any final questions and just running it over and over with FULL costumes, including pasties. So 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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DON'T FORGET!!!
Additional rehearsal on Monday 3/17 at Tease at 9pm.
Arrive on showday at Reelworks at 3:30pm.
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You all should be SO PROUD of yourselves! You've learned the whole piece and have two weeks to practice and perfect it. Ya'll are going to slay the stage and make Ben & Georgia's one proud establishment!!!
HUGE KUDOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!