31

Jan

Stripper Talk #12: Pushing cultural boundaries?

Author of Stripper Talk, Sydni Deveraux

Hello world! It’s Stripper Talk time again! This is a place where I field questions and answer them to the best of my ability, hopefully giving anyone who’s interested in burlesque some insight.

****I need to note for clarification that anyone who emails me is granted anonymity WHEN THEY ASK FOR IT, NO MATTER THE QUESTION. This week’s question comes from a performer who did not ask for it, and therefore their name was disclosed. 

This week’s question comes from Miss Lorrie Ann from Las Vegas, Nevada

“My question to you is this:
I love pushing all sorts of boundaries in my satirical burlesque routines I perform. To be honest, as a performer when I go see other shows I’m board out of my gourd when all the routines are classic, strip tease, or bump and grind. I guess you can say I require more visual stimulation from performance. I like to see seriously choreographed routines or fucked up funny skit style routines. So as a performer I have this idea of doing a 1960’s slave/KKK routine as a funny haha routine equipped with noose  and all…. You as an African American performer, would you #1 be in a routine like this as the slave, and #2 would you find this offensive if you were just an audience member, or laugh at it because after all burlesque is about poking fun at all things equally( in my opinion)…….Why should one be able to poke fun at a redneck, Jew, or china man but not other “sensitive” past worldly issues.  I have also thought of routines such as old minstrel or black face routines and again would love your input:) thank you again!

Cheers,
Miss Lorrie Ann”
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11 years ago Short URL 101 Comments

Stripper Talk

24

Jan

Stripper Talk #11: Costuming?

Author of Stripper Talk, Sydni Deveraux

Hello world! It’s Stripper Talk time again! This is a place where I field questions and answer them to the best of my ability, hopefully giving anyone who’s interested in burlesque some insight.

This week’s question comes from Cherry Bombshell in New Zealand:

“Hi Sydni,

Firstly, I’d like to say that I think you are an inspiration – love your work and a huge fan of your blog.

I have a question… I’m a newbie to burlesque – did some classes, entered a competition and won – now have my first official gig lined up and another competition to look forward to.

I am buzzing with wonderful ideas for shows, but there is one thing that I find tricky – the costume.

I get stuck because for weeks I will be trying to find a costume that will work with my idea (New Zealand resources are extremely limited), then by the time I have it sussed my costume, the gig deadline is looming and I have to rush to put together a routine, but I’m finding it really hard, dare I say it, almost impossible to plan a routine with an imaginary dress/costume on.

 I keep researching my favorite US performers and they all have exquisite costumes.

I am juggling a full-time job running my own business as well as a blog and in my downtime am trying to build a burlesque performance career. I have trouble deciding which order to do things in – do you think of an idea, find a costume, then plan the routine? Do you have any tips or contacts for sourcing costumes?

Thank you in advance for your tips.

x
Cherry Bombshell”

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11 years ago Short URL 5 Comments

Stripper Talk

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16

Jan

Stripper Talk #10: what do you think about a free show?

Author of Stripper Talk, Sydni Deveraux

Hello world! It’s Stripper Talk time again! This is a place where I field questions and answer them to the best of my ability, hopefully giving anyone who’s interested in burlesque some insight.

This week’s question comes from the Luvely Rae in New York City! 

“Hi Sydni,

I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on “free shows”. More and more producers in my neighborhood (New York City) are offering “free” burlesque shows. I recently had a customer ask why I haven’t considered going this route, which I went into a 15 minute discourse on how a “free” show is never really free and even though most of those producers are getting a cut of the bar to cover performer pay, I think audiences should understand that performers aren’t performing for free and should be paid. After all you don’t go to the movies or to a Broadway show and expect to get in for free.  What are your thoughts? Do free shows help the community by making the art for accessible to audiences or hurt the industry. I once heard a performer say in an interview that “the girls just do it for fun.” That it wasn’t about the money. I disagree with that statement, but so many times I hear new performers chatting about a show “that’s good experience”.  Should audiences expect to pay to see burlesque?

Kisses,

The Luvely Rae”

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11 years ago Short URL Comments

Discussions/Stripper Talk

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09

Jan

Stripper Talk #9: Help! I have boozy troupe-mates!

Author of Stripper Talk, Sydni Deveraux

Hello world! It’s Stripper Talk time again! This is a place where I field questions and answer them to the best of my ability, hopefully giving anyone who’s interested in burlesque some insight.

This week’s question comes from an anonymous person and place (to protect their troupe) 

” My troupe likes to booze it up and I’m not much of a drinker. I don’t mind that they drink, but I do mind that they’re so tipsy before and during shows and I worry about the impression they make on people that come backstage that aren’t a part of the troupe. What do you suggest I could do about this? “

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11 years ago Short URL 3 Comments

Uncategorized

02

Jan

Stripper Talk #8: I want to do my first show!

Author of Stripper Talk, Sydni Deveraux

Hello world! It’s Stripper Talk time again! This is a place where I field questions and answer them to the best of my ability, hopefully giving anyone who’s interested in burlesque some insight.

This week’s question comes from Brittany H.

” Dear Sydni,

Ever since I saw my first show in October, I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole into that glitter wonderland that is burlesque.  Eventually I’d love to perform in a show when I have more experience.  I guess my question would be how to break into my first show.  I’ve been told some shows require an audition and some a video.  What would be the best option? 

Yours truly,
Brittany H.”
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11 years ago Short URL 2 Comments

Stripper Talk

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