Well I didn’t part any seas…or even puddles..and I’ve spent plenty of time in the desert without getting lost…and I prefer a tablet computer to a stone tablet…but I have got my own Burlesque Commandments.
Just thought I’d share them with you – cause…well. Look at number 9. Why not. Would love to hear of anyone else's golden rules.
10 Commandments
1) The day you stop learning, you stop improving.
2) Look like you’re worth every penny – and then some.
3) Innovators beat imitators every time.
4) When in doubt – think Drag.
5) You can always find room for another Rhinestone.
6) If you don’t think you can do it – why should anyone else?
7) Practise makes perfect.
8) The audience like those who love it.
9) Why not? You never know – take that chance, help out another performer and don’t ignore opportunity when it’s kicking down the door..
10) Have fun!
1) The day you stop learning, you stop improving.
I love learning new skills – whether they are performing, dance, costuming or just something new that I never even though of doing. In November alone, I have Charleston Lessons, Fire eating lessons and will learn how to make the perfect skirt for a new costume. So I admit to always being a touch surprised when I met performers who seem to feel they’ve learnt enough. The performers who continue learning and pushing their limits are the performers who continue to improve and after talking to quite a few of my burlesque idols & inspirations, they all admit to constantly trying to expand their knowledge and ability.
2) Look like you’re worth every penny – and then some.
You want the audience to not feel cheated? You want promoters to start paying you a decent sum? Then look like you’ll be giving them their money worth. A good costume doesn’t make a good performer, but it sure as hell helps disguise a poor one. Oh – an off the rack purchase does not a costume make. There is no excuse for not even trying to customise and there are plenty of costuming money saving short cuts to take. But don’t expect to rock up in a polyester hen night outfit and be headlining. My rule of thumb, learnt from a Burlesque Hero, is to budget 10 times what you hope to charge for the routine on a costume.
3) Innovators beat imitators every time.
Are you a tribute artist or an original? Unless you are marketing yourself as a tribute artist then don’t copy. It’s amazing how quickly gossip moves in this industry and that coupled with the internet means copycats are found out every time. You may think it’s a generic idea, but by copying the costume, music and feel of the routine, you’re just making enemies and making yourself appear lazy & uncaring. Not exactly high praise. Oh and if you are a tribute artist, follow Carrie Ann O’Dell example and pay extra close attention to costuming and choreography.
4) When in doubt – think Drag.
Glitter and feathers are never going to help bring out your inner wallflower. Face it now and accept that sometimes you just have to supercharge the glamour. If you’re unsure – add height to the hair and glitter to everything.
5) You can always find room for another Rhinestone.
Seriously – I’ve even seen performers rhinestone the underside of their shoes. You don’t need to rhinestone up to be a performer – but if you’re going down the glamour route they really are your best friend.
6) If you don’t think you can do it or are any good – why should anyone else?
This doesn’t apply to newbies – we’ve all been there. This does apply to those who should know better. Sometimes an act will go wrong – and sometimes it will go seriously wrong. You know it, We know it – and there’s a chance the audience knows it. Spending the rest of the evening backstage agonising over it and asking if it was ok and if you should stop performing isn’t helping anyone.
And while we’re on the subject. Popping up on Facebook & Twitter under your stage name and agonising over whether you’re a good performer or not, or if you should quit is another no-no. Why would any promoter book someone who might decide tomorrow that they don’t want to perform anymore? And the same goes for announcing you’re quitting if you aren’t 100% sure. Much better to announce you’re taking a break if you need to make any big decisions.
7) Practise makes perfect.
We’ve all had to wing it on occasion. But knowing your routine inside & out will make any cover ups look so much smoother. Practise is also the key to making it look as though it’s natural. And a mirror is your best friend – just cause a move looks great on one person, it can make another look like a clumsy troll.
8) The audience like those who love it.
Watching a live show should be an amazing experience. Some of the best performers, bands and singers make every audience feel special and they are loved for it. That’s why people will pay to see them and not just spend the evening at home with Youtube. The worst thing you can do is ignore or glaze over the audience – that’s the quickest way to lose their interest & sympathy. And seriously – why wouldn’t you love them? They’re cheering you!
9) Why not?
You never know – take that chance, help out another performer and don’t ignore opportunity when it’s kicking down the door..
Sometimes that chance meeting, conversation or visit will provide you with an amazing opportunity. Oh, and don’t be selfish backstage. If you can help out someone, then why not? You pay it forward in the hope that one day you’ll be helped out when needed.
10) Have fun!
How lucky are we to be performing? Life is good, enjoy!
Just thought I’d share them with you – cause…well. Look at number 9. Why not. Would love to hear of anyone else's golden rules.
10 Commandments
1) The day you stop learning, you stop improving.
2) Look like you’re worth every penny – and then some.
3) Innovators beat imitators every time.
4) When in doubt – think Drag.
5) You can always find room for another Rhinestone.
6) If you don’t think you can do it – why should anyone else?
7) Practise makes perfect.
8) The audience like those who love it.
9) Why not? You never know – take that chance, help out another performer and don’t ignore opportunity when it’s kicking down the door..
10) Have fun!
1) The day you stop learning, you stop improving.
I love learning new skills – whether they are performing, dance, costuming or just something new that I never even though of doing. In November alone, I have Charleston Lessons, Fire eating lessons and will learn how to make the perfect skirt for a new costume. So I admit to always being a touch surprised when I met performers who seem to feel they’ve learnt enough. The performers who continue learning and pushing their limits are the performers who continue to improve and after talking to quite a few of my burlesque idols & inspirations, they all admit to constantly trying to expand their knowledge and ability.
2) Look like you’re worth every penny – and then some.
You want the audience to not feel cheated? You want promoters to start paying you a decent sum? Then look like you’ll be giving them their money worth. A good costume doesn’t make a good performer, but it sure as hell helps disguise a poor one. Oh – an off the rack purchase does not a costume make. There is no excuse for not even trying to customise and there are plenty of costuming money saving short cuts to take. But don’t expect to rock up in a polyester hen night outfit and be headlining. My rule of thumb, learnt from a Burlesque Hero, is to budget 10 times what you hope to charge for the routine on a costume.
3) Innovators beat imitators every time.
Are you a tribute artist or an original? Unless you are marketing yourself as a tribute artist then don’t copy. It’s amazing how quickly gossip moves in this industry and that coupled with the internet means copycats are found out every time. You may think it’s a generic idea, but by copying the costume, music and feel of the routine, you’re just making enemies and making yourself appear lazy & uncaring. Not exactly high praise. Oh and if you are a tribute artist, follow Carrie Ann O’Dell example and pay extra close attention to costuming and choreography.
4) When in doubt – think Drag.
Glitter and feathers are never going to help bring out your inner wallflower. Face it now and accept that sometimes you just have to supercharge the glamour. If you’re unsure – add height to the hair and glitter to everything.
5) You can always find room for another Rhinestone.
Seriously – I’ve even seen performers rhinestone the underside of their shoes. You don’t need to rhinestone up to be a performer – but if you’re going down the glamour route they really are your best friend.
6) If you don’t think you can do it or are any good – why should anyone else?
This doesn’t apply to newbies – we’ve all been there. This does apply to those who should know better. Sometimes an act will go wrong – and sometimes it will go seriously wrong. You know it, We know it – and there’s a chance the audience knows it. Spending the rest of the evening backstage agonising over it and asking if it was ok and if you should stop performing isn’t helping anyone.
And while we’re on the subject. Popping up on Facebook & Twitter under your stage name and agonising over whether you’re a good performer or not, or if you should quit is another no-no. Why would any promoter book someone who might decide tomorrow that they don’t want to perform anymore? And the same goes for announcing you’re quitting if you aren’t 100% sure. Much better to announce you’re taking a break if you need to make any big decisions.
7) Practise makes perfect.
We’ve all had to wing it on occasion. But knowing your routine inside & out will make any cover ups look so much smoother. Practise is also the key to making it look as though it’s natural. And a mirror is your best friend – just cause a move looks great on one person, it can make another look like a clumsy troll.
8) The audience like those who love it.
Watching a live show should be an amazing experience. Some of the best performers, bands and singers make every audience feel special and they are loved for it. That’s why people will pay to see them and not just spend the evening at home with Youtube. The worst thing you can do is ignore or glaze over the audience – that’s the quickest way to lose their interest & sympathy. And seriously – why wouldn’t you love them? They’re cheering you!
9) Why not?
You never know – take that chance, help out another performer and don’t ignore opportunity when it’s kicking down the door..
Sometimes that chance meeting, conversation or visit will provide you with an amazing opportunity. Oh, and don’t be selfish backstage. If you can help out someone, then why not? You pay it forward in the hope that one day you’ll be helped out when needed.
10) Have fun!
How lucky are we to be performing? Life is good, enjoy!
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