Dr. Lucky's Top 10 Tips for Middling Burlesque Babes
You have memorized Dr. Lucky's Top Ten Tips for Budding Burlesque Babes and have mastered the basics. You have subscribed to the Patron Saint of Glamour and understand that less = less and more = more. You've been performing for "awhile." You have acts, you get booked, you are a star. You may even have fans who post comments on your myspace about how great you were in a show. You have a card and a YouTube channel, even your own blog. If this sounds like YOU, then these tips are for YOU!
1) You still suck.
If you don't think you suck, you are in real trouble. Everybody sucks and if you don't realize this you will never get any better. Sucking is a permanent state of being. Sucking less is a goal we can all work towards and even accomplish. Think about it. Makes perfect sense now, doesn't it?
2) Don't be a diva.
Stop bitching about conditions and pay. I assure you that someone paved the way for you to even have this shitty gig in the backroom of some crappy bar with no dressing room. Divas don't get booked in burlesque and if they do, they often don't get booked again. Don't let your backstage antics be the reason others waiver about hiring you.
3) Develop a unique vocabulary.
Have a signature act or acts. Figure out the move or moves you love to do and work it/them. Have a style that's instantly recognizable. Since you have accomplished the Top 10 Tips for Budding Burlesque Babes, you've done your research. Now don't simply steal cute moves you see others do. Develop a style but your style.
4) Support your colleagues.
Watch your fellow performers perform. Don't be stuck in the fucking mirror for 2 and ½ hours while your colleagues are knocking themselves out on stage. You can learn a lot from watching other performers, regardless of your personal opinion of the performance. In fact, you can probably learn more from the act you didn't like than you can from the one you loved. Go to shows when you aren't performing. Support the scene.
5) Take classes.
Clowning, improv, dance, sewing, designing, art classes – continue to develop your craft and your creative spirit. Don't worry, there's a dream catcher that comes with this tip. But if you don't realize you suck (see #1), then you probably don't see the point of taking a class. Take a look at some of your favorite performers. I assure you they continue to develop their craft by, among other things, taking classes.
6) Fix that shitty costume.
A stapled line of slack fringe on a white bra? Come on! At least you've realized that your underwear is not a costume. But halfway to the finish line is still not a winning position, my friend. Being "busy" is absolutely not an excuse to look like a fucking train wreck. If you are that busy, prioritize and get rid of something in your life. Fix the zipper. Comb your damn wig. Run the seam through the sewing machine. If you don't know how to sew, then make friends with some fags who do know how.
7) Learn to say no.
Stop being a fucking diva (see #3) and realize that the show will go on without you. Don't take crappy gigs or work so much that you can't develop your acts (see #2 and #5 and #6) or support the scene and other performers (see #4). Practice with me. "No." Good. Now, one more time, "N-O-O!" Remember this is fun and if you are not having fun because you are running around, then you need to prioritize.
8) Don't bitch about other performers.
Stop complaining about the newbies. You were a newbie about a minute ago in burlesque time. I assure you this will happen to you. Guaranteed. Make sure you are looking in the mirror when it does. It's not a cute look. In general, try to keep unsolicited opinions to yourself. Of course everyone sucks next to your brilliance but remember there's something for everyone in burlesque. Someone loves that act you hate.
9) Professionalize.
Burlesque is an amateur art form which means simply that it doesn't take a lot of training, schooling, or frankly "skills" to get on the stage. However, to get to the top requires professionalization and a shit load of gumption. You can feign your lack of talent by developing a professional portfolio. Get professional photos taken. Get a reel and documentation of your signature acts. There are lots of free user-generated internet resources you should take advantage of. But eventually you need a website. Make business cards and flyers. Hand them out at shows. Keep your bio up to date. Have high res images ready to go. Treat your act like a business.
10) Go Global.
Pop that little bubble you live in and recognize there's a bog beautiful world out there. You may be the hottest shit in your little shitty town, but I assure you the majority of people in the world don't know who you are and frankly they don't care. It's your job to make them care. Go to national and international festivals. When you go out of town, try and get gigs. Use your networking skills to connect to other performers, producers, and venues. Once outside your bubble, you'll realize that there are bigger fish the world over. Take note of other's commitment to detail, both onstage and off.
And now, one more bonus tip for you Middling Burlesque Babes: Develop your ASSets without getting too COCKy. Your EGO will get in the way. Let your ID take over.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Resources from Dr. Lucky's Students
In the spirit of sharing resources to become a bigger better burlesque babe, students from Dr. Lucky’s Persona and Character Development class share resources for shopping and those “figures” that everyone should know:
Useful Resources:
Manhattan Wardrobe
On West 29th:http://www.wardrobesupplies.com/store/index.html
Trim Shop:
B & Q Trimmings, 210 W 38th St, by 7th Ave.
“Insane appliqués! Highly recommended!”
MJ Trimming
1008 6th Avenue
Metalifferous (metal works)
34 W. 46th, between 5th & 6th
http://www.metalliferous.com/
Mood Fabrics
225 W. 37th Street
Tic Tac Toe -- “Stripper Store”
161 W. 4th Street (near Avenue of the Americas)
Drag/Abstract Make-up Artist:
http://www.youtube.com/user/petrilude#p/u
Scopitone:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WT0voxIK4eg&feature=related
Solid Gold:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr6H241usvYhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMtMKGirULk
Must Know People (in no particular order):
Wau Wau Sisters
Kiki & Herb
Tempest Storm
Vampira
Neal Medlyn: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dzsbzec-heI&feature=related
Useful Resources:
Manhattan Wardrobe
On West 29th:http://www.wardrobesupplies.com/store/index.html
Trim Shop:
B & Q Trimmings, 210 W 38th St, by 7th Ave.
“Insane appliqués! Highly recommended!”
MJ Trimming
1008 6th Avenue
Metalifferous (metal works)
34 W. 46th, between 5th & 6th
http://www.metalliferous.com/
Mood Fabrics
225 W. 37th Street
Tic Tac Toe -- “Stripper Store”
161 W. 4th Street (near Avenue of the Americas)
Drag/Abstract Make-up Artist:
http://www.youtube.com/user/petrilude#p/u
Scopitone:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WT0voxIK4eg&feature=related
Solid Gold:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr6H241usvYhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMtMKGirULk
Must Know People (in no particular order):
Wau Wau Sisters
Kiki & Herb
Tempest Storm
Vampira
Neal Medlyn: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dzsbzec-heI&feature=related
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Top Ten Tips for Budding Burlesque Babes
Dr. Lucky's Top 10 Tips for Budding Burlesque Babes[1]..:
So you wanna be a burlesque babe? Take the following with a grain of salt; I offer these tips to make your future performances seamless and enjoyable both for you and the audience! Enjoy and I hope to see you under the bright lights!
1. Respect Your Predecessors
Always acknowledge those that have helped pave the path that you now find yourself on. You haven't invented anything. Everything has been done before. Which is both liberating and challenging. The history of burlesque spans over 150 years while the circus arts go back, well, let's just say WAY before that. Which leads me to #2…
2. Do Your Research
See shows, read books, watch movies. Subscribe to listservs dedicated to the scene. Surf the net, watch videos on YouTube, and be an internet whore. Know the major players in the scene. Your humility will enable you to learn an amazing wealth of knowledge from experienced performers. Which will help you avoid #3…
3. Don't Copy Others
Inspiration is one thing. Stealing (or borrowing heavily which is basically stealing) a signature move or concept is another. No one owns the fan dance at this point but you should avoid copying something you've seen before (which, if you haven't seen anything, see point #2, you are clueless). And if you are recreating a classic, simply attribute the original as inspiration. Dirty Martini makes it very clear that certain numbers are inspired by her predecessors (see point #1). She and others acknowledge these as "tributes" and veteran performers always insert their own "original idea" into such stagings. Make sure you are making an original contribution and not simply copying. Which leads me to #4…
4. Don't Use the Stripper CD ("Striptease Classics")
Many pick this CD up to start and everyone is tired of hearing the same fucking songs over and over again. One suggestion, borrowed from Julie Atlas Muz' advice to my students at NYU (see #3), is to pick a song you love, a song that you can listen to over and over (and over) again. Simple as that. Of course, you may use the stripper CD if you are making fun of it. In which case, if you are making fun of it, anything goes! Burlesque is, after all, largely (though not wholly) about parody. Which segues, quite nicely, I do say so myself, into #5…
5. Avoid Cliché Archetypes
There's a fine line between archetype and stereotype and between cliché and clever. As a general rule, if you can buy the concept of your act from a plastic bag at Target during Halloween (i.e. kitty cat, naughty nurse, dirty school girl/teacher, angel, devil, housewife) you may either want to consider: 1) coming up with another archetype or 2) work the fuck out of it in an unexpected way or 3) make fun of it (see text in tip #4). Most burlesque numbers use archetypes of some type but after seeing 6 housewife numbers in a night, the audience may grow tired. Even if you do work the fuck out of it/make fun of it [in which case anything goes]), you will still want to avoid, at all costs, #6…
6. Your Underwear is Not A Costume
I cannot stress this enough. This is not a Victoria Secret runway or a Pussycat Dolls show. If you want to do a sexy strip down to your panties, stay at home. Clothes in your closet, no matter how fabulous, are not enough for the stage and require bejeweling, bedazzling, and updating. Clothing designers usually don’t design for quick release. Do not torture your audience with a horrid wriggling out of a dress you can’t get over your butt. Simply put, whore out your costumes. Which as a concept and a lifestyle cannot be separated from #7…
7. Do Not be Pedestrian
People are paying to see you perform. Entertain them at all times and at all costs. From the moment you walk into a space until the moment you leave, you are performing a persona. No one wants to hear about your shitty day job or how early you have to get up in the morning (unless, of course, you're going on tour or flying to Paris). Which, once you've mastered, is inextricably linked to #8…
8. Build Your Character
“You” does not equal “Your Stage Persona”. This may seem to contradict #7 but in fact it does not. Make up stories. Invent origins, biographies, performance history. Lie all the time. (And I mean ALL THE TIME.) Pretend you are way more fabulous than you are. Eventually, you'll start to believe it and so will others. But be aware that you do not forget rule #9…
9. Being Fabulous Does Not Mean Being a Diva
Turn mistakes into new choreography; no one will know something wasn't planned unless you tell them. Throwing tantrums backstage, complaining about the sound or space or [fill in the blank] is annoying. Fellow performers are your allies. Save the catty crap for close friends. Do not talk shit or complain. Commiserating is one thing; making an entire show about YOU, YOU, YOU! is another. Which leads me to the 10th tip…
10. Practice. Practice. Practice.
You will probably suck for awhile but you may be able to pull off your greenness by practicing. Maybe sometimes you will get lucky but practicing is an even better strategy. That means practicing with music, full costume, and choreography from beginning to end until you are ready to puke or are really, really bored. Control props and costumes; don't let them control you. Which leads me to the three final basics of all performance which, though they may be dreadfully obvious, are worth restating: 1) have fun; 2) be in the moment; and 3) smile!
And one more bonus tip for those ready to take on the word of our savior, our Lady Luck the Patron Saint of Glamour: MORE = MORE and LESS = LESS. Once you recognize the power of those simple but provocative equations, excess and glamour will rule your life. Amen.
[1] © 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 by Dr. Lucky
So you wanna be a burlesque babe? Take the following with a grain of salt; I offer these tips to make your future performances seamless and enjoyable both for you and the audience! Enjoy and I hope to see you under the bright lights!
1. Respect Your Predecessors
Always acknowledge those that have helped pave the path that you now find yourself on. You haven't invented anything. Everything has been done before. Which is both liberating and challenging. The history of burlesque spans over 150 years while the circus arts go back, well, let's just say WAY before that. Which leads me to #2…
2. Do Your Research
See shows, read books, watch movies. Subscribe to listservs dedicated to the scene. Surf the net, watch videos on YouTube, and be an internet whore. Know the major players in the scene. Your humility will enable you to learn an amazing wealth of knowledge from experienced performers. Which will help you avoid #3…
3. Don't Copy Others
Inspiration is one thing. Stealing (or borrowing heavily which is basically stealing) a signature move or concept is another. No one owns the fan dance at this point but you should avoid copying something you've seen before (which, if you haven't seen anything, see point #2, you are clueless). And if you are recreating a classic, simply attribute the original as inspiration. Dirty Martini makes it very clear that certain numbers are inspired by her predecessors (see point #1). She and others acknowledge these as "tributes" and veteran performers always insert their own "original idea" into such stagings. Make sure you are making an original contribution and not simply copying. Which leads me to #4…
4. Don't Use the Stripper CD ("Striptease Classics")
Many pick this CD up to start and everyone is tired of hearing the same fucking songs over and over again. One suggestion, borrowed from Julie Atlas Muz' advice to my students at NYU (see #3), is to pick a song you love, a song that you can listen to over and over (and over) again. Simple as that. Of course, you may use the stripper CD if you are making fun of it. In which case, if you are making fun of it, anything goes! Burlesque is, after all, largely (though not wholly) about parody. Which segues, quite nicely, I do say so myself, into #5…
5. Avoid Cliché Archetypes
There's a fine line between archetype and stereotype and between cliché and clever. As a general rule, if you can buy the concept of your act from a plastic bag at Target during Halloween (i.e. kitty cat, naughty nurse, dirty school girl/teacher, angel, devil, housewife) you may either want to consider: 1) coming up with another archetype or 2) work the fuck out of it in an unexpected way or 3) make fun of it (see text in tip #4). Most burlesque numbers use archetypes of some type but after seeing 6 housewife numbers in a night, the audience may grow tired. Even if you do work the fuck out of it/make fun of it [in which case anything goes]), you will still want to avoid, at all costs, #6…
6. Your Underwear is Not A Costume
I cannot stress this enough. This is not a Victoria Secret runway or a Pussycat Dolls show. If you want to do a sexy strip down to your panties, stay at home. Clothes in your closet, no matter how fabulous, are not enough for the stage and require bejeweling, bedazzling, and updating. Clothing designers usually don’t design for quick release. Do not torture your audience with a horrid wriggling out of a dress you can’t get over your butt. Simply put, whore out your costumes. Which as a concept and a lifestyle cannot be separated from #7…
7. Do Not be Pedestrian
People are paying to see you perform. Entertain them at all times and at all costs. From the moment you walk into a space until the moment you leave, you are performing a persona. No one wants to hear about your shitty day job or how early you have to get up in the morning (unless, of course, you're going on tour or flying to Paris). Which, once you've mastered, is inextricably linked to #8…
8. Build Your Character
“You” does not equal “Your Stage Persona”. This may seem to contradict #7 but in fact it does not. Make up stories. Invent origins, biographies, performance history. Lie all the time. (And I mean ALL THE TIME.) Pretend you are way more fabulous than you are. Eventually, you'll start to believe it and so will others. But be aware that you do not forget rule #9…
9. Being Fabulous Does Not Mean Being a Diva
Turn mistakes into new choreography; no one will know something wasn't planned unless you tell them. Throwing tantrums backstage, complaining about the sound or space or [fill in the blank] is annoying. Fellow performers are your allies. Save the catty crap for close friends. Do not talk shit or complain. Commiserating is one thing; making an entire show about YOU, YOU, YOU! is another. Which leads me to the 10th tip…
10. Practice. Practice. Practice.
You will probably suck for awhile but you may be able to pull off your greenness by practicing. Maybe sometimes you will get lucky but practicing is an even better strategy. That means practicing with music, full costume, and choreography from beginning to end until you are ready to puke or are really, really bored. Control props and costumes; don't let them control you. Which leads me to the three final basics of all performance which, though they may be dreadfully obvious, are worth restating: 1) have fun; 2) be in the moment; and 3) smile!
And one more bonus tip for those ready to take on the word of our savior, our Lady Luck the Patron Saint of Glamour: MORE = MORE and LESS = LESS. Once you recognize the power of those simple but provocative equations, excess and glamour will rule your life. Amen.
[1] © 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 by Dr. Lucky
Monster/Beauty Article JUST PUBLISHED
I'm thrilled to announce that my article, "'It is the Ugly that is So Beautiful': Performing the Monster/Beauty Continuum in American Neo-Burlesque," has been published by the peer-reviewed Journal of American Drama and Theatre. I've been working on this article for a couple of years and I'm excited to finally see it in print.
RUN DON'T WALK to your local academic library/bookstore (OK, this one WON'T be in Barnes & Nobles, people!) for “‘It is the Ugly that is so Beautiful’: Performing the Monster Beauty Continuum in Neo Burlesque.” Journal of American Drama and Theatre 21.3 (2009): 5-23.
Don't have an academic library near you? Have no fear! An earlier version of the article can be found at: www.myspace.com/drlucky. Be warned, however, that the editor, David Savan, and his staff greatly improved the article and the print version has lots of pretty pictures, too!
RUN DON'T WALK to your local academic library/bookstore (OK, this one WON'T be in Barnes & Nobles, people!) for “‘It is the Ugly that is so Beautiful’: Performing the Monster Beauty Continuum in Neo Burlesque.” Journal of American Drama and Theatre 21.3 (2009): 5-23.
Don't have an academic library near you? Have no fear! An earlier version of the article can be found at: www.myspace.com/drlucky. Be warned, however, that the editor, David Savan, and his staff greatly improved the article and the print version has lots of pretty pictures, too!
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