Burlesque Bombshell
Why you shouldn’t be ashamed of burlesque.
In her famous song, “Let Me Entertain You,” Gypsy Rose Lee purrs: “I can do a few tricks/ some old and then some new tricks/ I’m very versatile.” The same can be said of burlesque dance, a movement that Lee herself helped catapult into mainstream popularity. The modern-day practitioners of burlesque take their cue from the legend, but they also incorporate neo-burlesque elements of circus, aerial, acrobatics and other daring techniques. Read on to find out what makes a burlesque dancer burlesque, and whether or not you should consider offering this bold, sexy style (to adults, of course) at your studio.
Burlesque Beginnings
Historically, burlesque’s beginnings in the United States can be traced back to a British performer by the name of Lydia Thompson. Thompson and her British Blondes came to New York City in the 1860s, and shocked audiences by performing in revealing tights and taking on traditionally male roles. “Burlesque as a leg show or girlie show really opened up with the arrival of Lydia Thompson and her British Blondes,” says burlesque dancer Jo Boobs, headmistress and founder of the New York School of Burlesque. “Before Lydia, there were nude dancers everywhere in Paris and Europe. But the process of the striptease being part of the dance is an American invention.” Burlesque also has a connection with belly dance. A dancer by the stage name of Little Egypt introduced exotic belly dancing to the United States at the World’s Fair at the turn of the 20th century. She sensualized the movement beyond its original Middle Eastern style, and the sexy dance caught on. Because of this, belly dance and burlesque share many similar movements of sharp hips and fluid arms. But it was Gypsy Rose Lee who took burlesque to another level. When the male performers of vaudeville moved on to radio and TV gigs, the women were left behind. To stay in the limelight, their only choice was to entertain in a way men could not: by taking off their clothes. Lee became famous by incorporating elements of comedy into her act and engaging in a dialogue with her audience. For those in the burlesque community, she is an icon. “She had such a huge impact on burlesque because she was an amazing business woman,” says New York School of Burlesque teacher Darlinda Just Darlinda. “She wrote books, wrote her own shows, and was in movies. Gypsy really used her brain. She was a real character.”
Burlesque vs. Stripping
Many burlesque dancers are often asked, “What’s the difference between burlesque and stripping?” The short answer is, not much. Burlesque dancers take off their clothes, just as strippers do. And, according to Jo Boobs, both strippers and burlesque dancers have a more intimate connection with their audiences than concert dance performers. “In other forms of dance, the dancer is often relating more to the choreographer’s vision or the other dancers on stage, and they’re not focusing outwards,” she says. Darlinda Just Darlinda explains the connection. “A good burlesque dancer really loves her audience,” she says. “We don’t have a fourth wall.” But, there are differences between stripping and burlesque, including the venue and the manner in which they strip. Strippers often dance one-on-one with a client who can come and go into a strip joint as he or she pleases. But a burlesque dancer is part of an organized show. Audience members sit down at a specific time and leave when the show is over. The real difference between the two dance styles is in perception. Some burlesque dancers take offense when they’re told, “At least you’re not stripping.” In fact, they are—just in another format. “If some people say, ‘You’re just a stripper,’ I don’t care. It doesn’t bother me,” says Jo Boobs. “If you can’t see the difference, I don’t care what you think about anything. I don’t care to be thought of as something better than a stripper. I strip my clothes off. I’m a stripper. The idea that someone is ‘just’ a stripper actually pisses me off.”
What to Expect
Taking in a burlesque show? The familiar modern-day image is of Hollywood’s favorite burlesque performer Dita Von Teese: a classic, pin-up model with vintage style. However, there are so many different ways of experiencing this dance form. Stylistically, the classic burlesque is not very technical. You might see a woman slowly and seductively removing her glove. You might also watch a dancer attempt to disrobe, but fall all over herself in the process. Classic burlesque takes both the sensual and laughable into account. “It’s a form of play,” says Jo Boobs. “You become a character in Merry Melodies. I always tell my students to study choreography and cartoons because the timing is much better. The students are layering humor with sexuality.” There is also a new form of burlesque called neo-burlesque that fuses genres of trapeze, aerial, acrobatics and circus with more traditional sensual movements. Expect to see trained dancers in these forms that not only remove their clothing with finesse, but also perform gravity-defying acts. “I think that the term burlesque is seeking a redefinition,” says Seattle-based aeralist and burlesque dancer Rachel Strickland. “If Gypsy Rose Lee was on stage today, it would be funny, but people would be waiting for her to take off more clothing. It’s not provocative anymore.”
Dance Background
Now that many burlesque performers are pushing the envelope more than ever before, they often benefit from technical dance training. Those skilled in Fosse have a leg up. “I think it’s interesting that Bob Fosse influences burlesque because burlesque influenced Fosse,” says Jo Boobs. “If you’re recreating a Fosse pose or movement, it’s so detailed. Your hip and your knee are right here. Burlesque takes the feel-good moves of Fosse and interprets them for a cabaret audience.” Even though burlesque doesn’t take any direct influence from ballet, some burlesque performers say they benefit from the instruction. “The wonderful thing about ballet is that it can prepare you to dance any kind of dance without sacrificing the integrity of your lines or movement,” says Strickland, who is classically trained. “You never lose that foundation. But, it is very hard to break out of.”
What Goes On, Must Come Off
Burlesque separates itself from traditional dance styles with an increased emphasis on costuming and makeup. While today’s dance costumes often feature stripped-down, bare styling, burlesque is just the opposite. Dancers start with ornate over-the-top costuming that is as integral to the performance as the dance steps. “All dance has costuming, but in burlesque the removal of your costume is your choreography,” says Jo Boobs. “You need to make that removal interesting. You make the everyday act of removing clothing into a theatrical moment.” While burlesque costuming and makeup can run the gamut, there are a few telltale items that connote burlesque: corsets, fishnets, tassels, gloves, heels, false eyelashes, glitter and anything bejeweled. And of course, “nothing says burlesque like a big ostrich feather fan,” says Strickland.
Studio Appropriate
While taking in a burlesque show is all in good fun, is it appropriate to offer this style as an area of study at your studio? Obviously, teachers must approach burlesque delicately and understand the culture of their studio. “You want to be careful, especially if you already have a well-established lineup of students,” says Strickland. “You have to make it safe for them, because I think it’s something that a lot of women are hungry for. I was. I wanted somewhere safe to be hot and have fun. A class is really a good way to do that.”
If you find the majority of your adults are conservative, perhaps it’s not the right fit for your studio. However, your parents might surprise you. Cardio striptease as an exercise fad has certainly taken off, and is now offered in many fitness centers across the country. And many women who take burlesque classes say they feel empowered by embracing their own sexuality. “I think it’s particularly gratifying for those who’ve never performed,” says Jo Boobs. “The moves are so natural to a woman’s body. There’s a lot of instant gratification. It doesn’t mean they can do a polished number right away, but they are fun to watch.”
Taking the Plunge
If you do decide to offer the class, here are a few helpful guidelines. Start by making the class for women 18 and over. While exploring sexuality is empowering, it might not be the most comfortable classroom scenario for young women. “It doesn’t bother me to think of children being exposed to it, but I wouldn’t offer it to them,” says Jo Boobs. “I see them being embarrassed by it, as in ‘ew, no, ick!’” Plus, the adults might feel awkward being sexual in front of their kids. Next, be sure to choose a teacher who has been a burlesque performer herself. You might think burlesque is reserved for the big cities, but you might be surprised to know that there are burlesque scenes in many small communities. Search out a show and see for yourself whether the candidate is qualified.
And if the prospect of offering a burlesque class still seems too risqué, just opening up your mind to the possibility is a big step. “We’re in a culture where sexuality is shameful,” says Darlinda Just Darlinda. “That’s why burlesque is awesome. It’s a celebration of sexuality.”
Check out these sites for more on burlesque, and the dancers interviewed:
Madamerex.com
Schoolofburlesque.com
Burlesquehall.com