r/Burlesque

Pro tip:

Google is your friend.

If you're starting a new production, troupe, festival, or show, please research the name you're considering before launching. A quick search can save everyone a great deal of confusion down the road.

Recently, I became aware of another production using the name "VaudeVillains" for their events. VaudeVillains has been the name of my production company and flagship show since the early 2000s, and has appeared at festivals, news outlets, in magazines, music videos, newspapers, conventions, expos, theaters, and special events for many years. It is quite visible.

Over the years, VaudeVillains has helped introduce and grow boylesque in the Southern United States, provided opportunities for countless performers, mentored emerging producers, and produced artists who have gone on to headline festivals and earn major titles and awards throughout the burlesque community.

The name was rooted in us centering our acts around old Vaudeville, often with a darker or Gothic edge as we mostly performed in horror events, metal/industrial rock shows, and cheeky themes intended to provoke our audiences with dark humor. It became our branding, and it suited us.

This isn't the first time I've encountered a show using the same name. A few years ago, a production overseas used the VaudeVillains name as well, and it created significant confusion among audiences, media outlets, radio hosts, and event organizers. I regularly received messages, emails, and phone calls from people believing they were contacting my production, only to discover they were looking for an entirely different show. Nobody benefits from that kind of confusion.

I have not reached out to the current producers as I do see much of a point, and I will not ask them to change it- this is just an example of what can happen and has happened when using an established event name, and this post is not intended as an attack. Rather, it's a reminder that names matter, and that a little research can go a long way toward respecting the work that others have spent years building. My co-producer and several cast members brought it all to my attention as I hadn't seen it at all, and had no awareness of this happening.

If you're creating something new, I encourage you to choose a name that is uniquely yours- something that reflects your vision, your brand, and your creative identity.

Our industry is filled with imaginative people, and there is plenty of room for fresh ideas without borrowing names that are already established. Frankly, even just being tagged in the wrong thing online because people are confused about who is who is annoying enough.

And if you ever need help brainstorming or researching a title for a new production, I'm always happy to lend a hand. I'd much rather help someone build a strong new brand than see them accidentally inherit years of confusion.

Hi burlys!!

I have a show coming up and I had an idea to do a really cute carwash act since it’s an outdoor wet show! I will be doing it to Chappell Roan’s “The Giver” and I want to know if there’s any good ideas to zhuzh it up more! I will have soapy buckets with rags and sponges. Kinda want my look to be a bombshell 70s-80s look. Think big hair, cut off jean booty shorts and a white tank with pasties or a red bra underneath. I’m kinda struggling with choreo lol

Lmk!! Anything helps<33

A very widely known “Amateur” showcase and comp operates under the guise that you have to have 4 or less years of experience, however multiple performers and some winners have significantly more experience than 4 years….so what is the actual point of their whole brand being “Amateur Only” if they don’t check??? I saw someone who I follow has been performing for close to 10 years and got accepted, so why not just open it to everyone? Or is it only open to those who will lie about their actual experience (which is also terrible, and risky, especially in this cancel heavy era of burlesque). Yes, I’m talking about Nudie Newbies. What are everyone’s feelings about this??

Pro-Tip:

Never compare yourself to another entertainer.

Their journey, their successes, their path- has nothing to do with you or your own journey. When you feel that nasty little pang of envy when you see someone else land a booking or a title you wanted, remember that the circumstances surrounding that may be gritty, grimy, and may have been a struggle that bankrupted them, caused them to lose friends and jobs, and may have come from a mountain of strife that never made it into a spotlight. Their accomplishments had a cost that we all, as artists, are very familiar with.

Focus on the successes and wonderful things your career has already brought you. Think on your own standing ovations, the praise given to you, the epic gigs you've landed, and the countless excellent times you've had.

You may be taking your own path for granted and forgetting that perhaps there is something about you that they envy as well. Look back on the epic showreels and photos you've accumulated, play with your costumes and spin around the room a few times in your fancy frills and finery. Please don't make someone else's victory about you.

We are all just out here trying to have fun, keep the razzle-dazzle alive, and earn a buck or two doing it.

Think on your blessings- and let others enjoy their own.

Cheer your friends on with genuine enthusiasm, speak kindly of them when people mention them to you- it makes you feel good, and makes others feel good too. It improves the public's opinion of you for being enthusiastic about your peers.

Having received several surprisingly backhanded comments and messages on my own recent festival announcements, I wanted to put some light into the world and encourage people to celebrate one another's successes instead of measuring your own worth against them.

There is room for all of us to shine.

I am very interested in learning the art form but I am a bigger woman who also has a bigger chest. I am 5 ft 180 with DDD 40 bra size, where can I find clothes that are sexy yet good to move around in?

Hello!

I am doing an Alien themed burlesque number as Ripley. I will strip the jumpsuit to a tank and panties then rip/remove the tank to reveal a prosthetic chest burster alien.

I’m trying to think of ways to best conceal the chest burster, as he sticks out a few inches from my sternum. Luckily, I have big heavy boobs, so if I squeeze them together somehow it should look more like a uniboob rather that something obvious sticking out between them.

I’m thinking I could have double tank tops- on that is already ripped exposing everything, then another on top that I could use velcro to attach. The top piece I could attach something sturdy and flexible like horsehair or a foam sheet that would smooth everything out.

I’d love to hear some other ideas that may work better. Thank you!

Hello, I'm doing a live band performance in 5 hours. I've done zero planning due to being preoccupied with my full-time job. Now I'm freaking out as I have no idea what I'm going to do. Any and all advice is appreciated!

I have loved burlesque since I was like 11 and I learned about Josephine Baker. I also have danced in some capacity since I was three and would love to be a burlesque dancer one day, but how possible is it now to do this as a job? Like I would love to have a dance studio one day and teach other classes as well. Would that be possible? Idk, what is it like having this as a job?

I’m researching intellectual property rights in burlesque and performance art, especially regarding props and original act concepts.

If I create a burlesque act built around a prop concept that I haven’t seen anyone else use, what protections are actually available? I understand that copyright generally doesn’t protect ideas, but can protect specific creative expressions. How does that apply to prop designs

I’m particularly interested in:

* Copyright protection for burlesque acts
* Design rights for custom props
* How performers document authorship and originality
* Whether there are any industry norms for protecting unique acts

I’m not looking to stop inspiration or influence I’m trying to understand what steps performers take when they’ve developed something genuinely original.

Any recommended resources, legal guides, or experiences from performers would be appreciated.

Hey, y'all!

I'll be taking a birthday trip to Chicago for the first time this weekend. What shows are happening? Where might I want to shop for my own costume pieces/embellishments? What venues commonly hold burlesque shows?!

Thanks!

Hi All!

I’m getting ready to make my first pair of legitimate pasties. I’m a bigger-chested person, and would like to make something that’s sturdy and will last for future use.

I’ve had a teacher recommend using buckram for the base, but I’ve noticed there are different types of buckram fabrics/interfaces.

What type of buckram do you recommend? Also open to recommendations of other super sturdy bases!

TIA! 🤗💖✨