The Conference at The Great Burlesque Exposition features more than 40 hours of class time over two days. It is the original Professional Development Conference for burlesque performers, founded on the philosophy that "If we don't take ourselves seriously, no one else will either".
Whether you're looking to boost a skill set to the next level or develop some new skills, The Conference has something for you from costuming to publicity to philosophical discussions.
Class evaluations are now online! If you attended the expo - Fill one out now!
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Zehara Nachash
Length: 1 hour
Learn the art of the shimmy! From hip shimmies, knee shimmies, shoulder shimmies and layered shimmies this class will leave you with a basic fundamental knowledge of how to shake what your momma gave you!
Erin Lovett
Length: 1 hour
Learn elements of Hip Hop Dance Theatre to spice up your act. Learn contemporary pieces of choreography that will incorporate sexy, fiery movements to your own personal movement vocabulary. A fun and exciting Hip Hop Dance Class geared toward the solo burlesque performer. No experience necessary. May also be entilted Dance: Hip Hop and Burlesque Can be geared toward Beginner - Professional
Joe Paul Williams
Length: 1 hour
This class brings the glamor and beauty of pin-up style poses to dance. Learn how and why these poses are so flattering to every body type. Learn to bring your inner beauty into public view with balance and grace. This class will take the symmetry and elegance seen in pin-up art and teach you how easy it can be for anyone to enter, exit and move in these postures, using the Delsarte technique.
Evie Sphinx
Length: 1 hour
In this class the participant will go through a general stretching sequence to be shown different stretches that hit muscle groups all over the body, with a focus on the lower extremities to increase flexibility! Starting with a warm up, the class will go through a series of static and dynamic stretches to help increase muscle length. This class will run like a yoga class of sorts, flowing from position to position with focus on a few general problem areas such as an IT band stretch and Hamstring stretch.
Joe Paul Williams
Length: 1 hour
If you ever have felt at a loss about what to do with your arms or hands, this is a class for you. With a little guidance, arms and hands can give an extraordinary amount of focus to your dancing. And we all know that directing focus is a huge part of the art of burlesque. Let's let our arms and hands help us.
Devora Darling
Length: 1 hour
One of the beauties of Burlesque is that it may be creatively infused with other forms of dance. Ballet for Beginners will take students through basic elements of ballet, focusing on aspects that may be applied to Burlesque even by a non-experienced dancer. The class will also briefly present some current and historical examples of ballet-influenced Burlesque. Students should come prepared for some light movement, though no previous dance experience is required.
Zehara Nachash
Length: 1 hour
Learn the ancient art of belly dance! From hip circles to undulations you will learn a simple choreography that can be used in both burlesque and belly dance.
Erin Lovett
Length: 1 hour
A Dance Class made to inspire students to let loose their inner Performer. Gain confidence and become inspired to bring that private bedroom dance out to the dance floor. Incorporates Hip Hop, Musical Theatre and Jazz.
Joan Arline
Length: 1 hour
Learn the art of picking the perfect psychological moment to remove each piece of clothing. This class teaches you how to take the audience through your act at your pace and making them eager to WAIT for each reveal.
Jo Weldon
Length: 1 hour
Whether you're a beginning performer or an expert stripteaser, you can add interest and depth to your routine with some chair dancing. This class covers tips and tricks to smoothly incorporate a chair into any act, as well as how to best utilize a chair to make your shoe and stocking removal more entertaining. Jo is the master of "showing them what you're showing them" and shows you how to use positioning to emphasize your intention and improve their connection to the audience. Students learn a short routine (designed for anyone at any level of performance to be able to do) and participate in a discussion of important concerns about costuming for chair. This class Includes a short history of chair dancing in burlesque and suggestions for media to study. Recommended for all levels but suitable for intermediate students. Please wear shorts or dance leggings.
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Joan Arline
Length: 1 hour
Sure, you can dance, and your costumes look great on stage, but are you getting the meaning behind your performance across to your audience? So many great performers get "dancer face", that frozen, emotionless mask. Spice up your act by when you learn the art of conveying emotion and attitude through your facial expressions.
Glamour Puss Burlesque
Length: 1 hour
Double the pleasure of your next act by making it a duet! Paralee Pearl and Frenchie Fatale of Glamour Puss Burlesque will teach you the basics of sharing the spotlight, creating on-stage chemistry and choreographing for two.
Scratch
Length: 1 hour
While a good M.C. can't make a bad show good, a bad M.C. can definitely make a good show worse. If part of your job is public-speaking, or you've ever wondered what goes into being one of those people with the microphone, this class is for you. Topics covered include: preparation; projection; memorized material vs. improvisation; dealing with hecklers; trouble-shooting; the place of the M.C.
Ms. Red Snapper
Length: 1 hour
Learn how to get your audience in the palm of your hand and make them do what you want. Entertain the hell out of your audience with whatever you do. Great for actors, dancers, hosts, musicians, anyone who performs. This class includes practical techniques/remedies for addressing stage fright & nervousness, how to gain or improve confidence, performer etiquette, stage entrances and exits.
Joe Paul Williams
Length: 1 hour
The props we might dance with in Burlesque can be varied greatly, but the subtle language of how and where we hold them in relation to our body, or how we move them, is a consistent language. In this class we will explore some fundamentals of how basic body language can help us give meaning, nuance and innuendo to any object we hold in our hands or interact with, whether a riding crop, a recently removed garment, or piece of fruit. :-) Bring any prop with which you would like to practice!
EmpeROAR Fabulous!!!
Length: 1 hour
Never have to say, "She's using the song I was going to use tonight!" again! EmpeROAR Fabulous!!!, "The Exposing Composer", known for writing songs he sings in thongs, leads a class on creating original music for your teases. Topics include storylining your lyrics to coincide with costuming events, composing for set choreography vs. creating both simultaneously, how to collaborate with a composer if you're a dancer and vice-versa, and more. Musical background helpful, but open to all, as some basic tenets of songwriting will be shared.
Dr. Wilson
Length: 2 hours
Stage magic should be fast, colorful, and easy to understand. Stage magic should also be easy to transport to the show and onto the stage. In this class, you will learn a few basic pieces of practical stage magic to start you on the journey of developing your own magic. You will also learn to build some simple magic props.
Ms. Red Snapper
Length: 1 hour
Learn techniques to demonstrate sensuality for your audience in a safe environment with slow, sultry floor techniques. Feel comfortable in your own skin. Put these skills on their feet and use them to mesmerize an audience.
Kim H. Carrell
Length: 2 hours
Learn how to perform the basics of stage combat - falls, slaps, punches, hair pulls - effectively and safely. The class will include partnered work with a focus on incorporating stage combat into your routines and how best to play "violence" for comedy. The class will also include an introduction to basic swordplay. Wear loose clothing or dancewear and be physically warmed-up prior to class.
Lucy Buttons
Length: 1 hour
This class is a workshop for completed acts and works in progress. Performers ONLY! If you want to refine an existing act or are stuck on what to choreograph for part of an act this is the class for you! All students will perform one act and give, as well as receive, constructive feedback in a nurturing environment. This will help to refine your act from the costuming, props, hair, makeup, and arc, with an emphasis on choreography down to the tiniest details.
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Dr. Wilson
Length: 1 hour
To be successful, you have to be good and you have to be well known. In this class, we will explore approaches to publicity, from press releases to publicity stunts. Become the sensation that you were born to be!
Tracey DiLascio
Length: 1 hour
So you've come up with a captivating dance routine, gorgeous costume, and brilliant music... how can you protect your creative work from unauthorized copying or performance? In this session, we will discuss how copyright can protect your work, how you can obtain this protection, and how you can avoid infringing on someone else’s copyright. We will also touch on when and how the First Amendment can provide additional protection for your work.
Elizabeth Kelly
Length: 1 hour
So, you're a Burlesque performer and everyone knows your ASSets aren't necessarily represented by dollar signs. Why should you care about online protection, and more importantly WHAT should you care about? This class will cover a variety of online identity and fraud issues that matter to an independant performing artist using the power of the internet to bootstrap marketing, connect with fans, sell tickets and stage a business online.
Scarlett Letter
Length: 1 hour
This discussion will serve as an overview on the different options you have as a performer when filing your taxes. Other topics will include what is deductible and how to apply it, the importance of receipts and the value of filing and claiming your cash income.
Scarlett Letter
Length: 1 hour
A general lecture/discussion about handling drunken situations between performers, employees and audience without resorting to force or violence. Not a self defense class. -Scarlett Letter has been working, frequenting and enjoying casinos, truck stops, strip clubs and dive bars since she was 12. An avid believer in talking down instead of beating down, Scarlett covers how to handle overly amorous, grabbie, and aggressive situations with grace and poise, even when your audience doesn't have any.
Tracey DiLascio
Length: 1 hour
Now that you’ve protected your creative work… what about your business? In this session, we will discuss how trademarks can help establish and protect your brand, including company names and logos. We will talk about when trademark is appropriate, how you can establish a trademark, and whether federal registration of your marks might be worthwhile. We will also review some basic information about business incorporation, including how it can help you protect your business and which corporate forms are available.
Scratch
Length: 1 hour
Reporters and editors may bemoan them but news releases, and other attention getting efforts, remain a staple of the information needed to fill the daily “news hole.” Who, what, where and why need to be supplemented by crisp writing and a call to action to interview you or come out and see your performance, event or community volunteer effort. Senior citizen centers, adult education courses and First Night Celebrations are just some of the opportunities to promote your talents. Learn how to get creative and tailor your information in seeking radio and television interviews, public service announcements and “calendar” announcements in daily and weekly newspapers and magazines.
Elsa Sjunneson
Length: 1 hour
Performing Obscenity is a class on what obscenity law is, how it affects burlesque performers, and how it has historically been used to promote morality, and squash any behavior considered either immoral or outside the gender norm. This class is used as a discussion tool to talk about how performers can protect themselves, and also about the larger issues with burlesque and the law. This class will cover the history as well as modern issues of burlesque and the law.
Jonny Porkpie
Length: 1 hour
The world of burlesque is getting more and more crowded. How can you prevent yourself from becoming "just another" stripteaser, comedian, singer, or magician? How can you make your show stand out from all the other Revues, Follies, and nights of tease? This class guides you through some common pitfalls to the goal of creating a memorable look and feel for your fabulous self and fabulous show. Learn how everything from choosing publicity photos to writing press releases to the name and design of your show publicity, can reinforce your unique identity in the mind of the public and the press.
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Miss Mina
Length: 1 hour
Who were the women who shaped the Golden Age of burlesque and inspired today's performers? Learn about some of the most influential burlesque performers of the past during this fun slideshow and talk.
Dr. Wilson
Length: 1 hour
There is plenty of talent out there. An important element of being invited back again and again is being easy to work with backstage. The audience only has to deal with you for a few minutes, but everyone else has to deal with you for a couple of hours. Make that a positive experience! In this class, we will use both common sense and our shared experiences to develop you into a backstage star.
Zehara Nachash
Length: 1 hour
Probably two of the most misunderstood forms of dance; both burlesque and belly dance have common routes in American dance history. Learn the differences and similarities of both art forms and the debate that sometimes ensues when the two collide. This open conversation will help bridge the gap between these two different yet similar forms of female dance.
Scandal from Bohemia and EmpeROAR Fabulous!!!
Length: 1 hour
Has anyone ever said to you, "Hey, you're the one who does all those weird acts, aren't you?" This panel is for people who feel a little, well, a little weird that they aren't dancers, don't have perfect bodies or have run into producers who don't know what to do with them. We'll meet, bond, and probably end up laughing at jokes that no one else finds funny.
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Scarlett Letter
Length: 2 hours
A fast and easy Shimmy belt project that demonstrates several techniques and issues involved with hand stitching. Students will leave with a custom Shimmy Belt of their own making, and a better understanding of stitch work and process.
Miss Mina
Length: 1 hour
Recreating a costume, from a photograph, movie, or the real thing, can be more challenging that creating an original design. Drawing on her own experiences, Miss Mina shares her tips and tricks for making your own recreations... and some pitfalls to watch out for!
Kristen Augenfeld
Length: 1 hour
Through understanding color wheel theory, learn the science behind what makes a costume pop! We will explore in depth the importance of color and how to effectively use it in costuming. Included in the discussion will be audience perception from symbolism to the effects of stage lighting, how to use colors to your advantage by determination of what is most flattering to your specific look, and most importantly - how to ensure creating an unforgettable costume!
Kristen Augenfeld
Length: 2 hours
Through basic hand-sewing techniques, learn how to revamp an old bra or make a simple (or unattractive!) one fabulous by covering it, trimming it out and abandoning the old hook & eye by creating different closures for a smoother striptease.
Kristen Augenfeld
Length: 2 hours
Construct a small hat from scratch! Beginning with building the base, we will cover and trim your headpiece while discussing the art of millinery and what materials can be incorporated on any budget.
The Shanghai Pearl
Length: 2 hours
Learn the difference between Coque and Nandu! Learn how to curl and shape feathers as well as the the basic building blocks to creating a fabulous headdress or hair ornament! This workshop is mix of lecture, hands on practice, discussion, and display. Students are encouraged to bring current projects for Q&A and guidance. Materials fees (two choices): $5.00 - for hands on curling practice OR $25.00 - for guided D.I.Y. and make your own hair piece
Dusty Summers
Length: 2 hours
The itsy-bitsy g-string is the bottom-most layer in a burlesque dancer's wardrobe. These barely there garments do more than protect your modesty. They give you a place to put some color and sparkle when you're nearly naked. A well-fitting G-string can really add some punch to the end of your act – and a poorly fitting one can get you arrested for indecent exposure! This hands-on workshop teaches you everything you need to know to pattern, cut, and construct a G-string to your own specifications. Materials Fee: $10
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EmpeROAR Fabulous!!!
Length: 1 hour
An Open discussion. Where do our personas come from? Where does our persona end and our personality begin? How do we deal with the pressure of living up to the ideal we present on stage when we are in our everyday lives, or out in the community? When do our creations take over? How do we delineate who we are, and when? This is not about how to develop a persona, but rather how we function in them.
Scandal from Bohemia
Length: 1 hour
This class will discuss the importance of narrative in a burlesque performance. Whether your act is a traditional glove and stocking removal or a bizarre futuristic interpretation of the U.S.'s Revolutionary War (come on, you know someone somewhere has tried this), you will learn how to answer the age old question, "What's your motivation?"
Scandal from Bohemia
Length: 1 hour
This class will discuss the basic tenets of humor and how that applies in burlesque. Participants may bring ideas to share and develop.
Ms. Red Snapper
Length: 1 hour
It's a man-only class (except for your instructor, of course) that will cover basic burlesque technique, act building, and workshopping acts. Perfect for men who don't know how to get started in burlesque.
Scandal from Bohemia
Length: 1 hour
Interested in incorporating audience members in your act? This class will discuss various methods of involving your audience, the types of participants you tend to get, and tactics to prevent things from devolving into complete chaos.
The Shanghai Pearl
Length: 1 hour
This class is a must for anyone who wants to explore the Funny Girl (or Boy!) in each of us. We will discuss the importance of comedy in Burlesque, work on facial expressions, theatricality, and idea generation. Students are encouraged to wear comfortable, easy to move in clothes. Bring pen and paper as well as acts/ideas you would like to add elements of humor to.
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Moderator: Lucy Buttons
Panelists: Scarlett Letter, Shanghai Pearl, Joan Arline and April March
Length: 1 hour
Most "classic" routines are not direct replications of original choreography. So what is "classic" in neo burlesque? When is it OK to do an exact replication? What skills and techniques are classic, and how does a classic performer get her inspiration?
Moderator: Scratch
Panelists: Cha Cha Velour, Holly Rebelle, Lucida Sans
Length: 1 hour
If you’ve ever thought about producing a show or festival, this is the panel for you! Learn about all of the pitfalls from budgets to venues to promotion. Learn from our mistakes, so you don’t have to make them!
Moderator: Ms Mia Bomba
Panelists: Jonny Porkpie, Cha Cha Velour, Lucy Buttons
Length: 1 hour
Neo-burlesque is hitting the mainstream from Burlesque: The Movie to "America’s Got Talent", from C.S.I. to Gossip Girl . “Burlesque” is becoming a great big buzzword. How do we educate our audience so they don’t walk out of our shows saying “That’s not burlesque!”
Moderator: Betty Blaize
Panelists: Lucida Sans, Eva Destruction, Holly Rebelle, Scarlett Letter
Length: 1 hour
Some burlesque troupes are close-knit groups of dancers who never perform on their own; some are a loose collective of independent contractors. Let’s talk about the different troupe structures and how to handle the inevitable problems that come up in any social group.
Moderator: Jo Weldon
Panelists: Cha Cha Velour, Scarlett Letter, Miss Mina
Length: 1 hour
If the question "What is Burlesque?" is a hard one, then "What is a Burlesque class?" is even harder. What do you teach? What do you expect? What's a must-have and what's more appropriate to a traditional dance or theater class? What class models have worked for you and what's your target class base? Are you creating your own competition, or are you building a community?
Moderator: Lucida Sans
Panelists: Holly Rebelle, Ms Mia Bomba, Dusty Summer
Length: 1 hour
What have been your trickiest situations? What are those confrontations, tight spots, or ungraceful moments that stick with you as lessons learned or things to try better next time?
Moderator: Scratch
Panelists: Scandal from Bohemia, Betty Blaize
Length: 1 hour
Get the sneak peak for next year. This is a chance to talk about how the Great Burlesque Expo works and how it could improve. Ever wanted the inside scoop on how to teach classes, submit a strong performance application, or just get more involved? Then this panel is for you!
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