Burlesque Classes and Workshops

Where to Find Burlesque Schools in the USA

Sep 2, 2009 Karen Dion

Burlesque is experiencing a revival of interest, here are a few places where you can learn the art of the strip tease.

The New York School of Burlesque

Voted ‘Best (and Hottest) Teacher’ by The Village Voice, Jo ‘Boobs’ Weldon is headmistress of the New York School of Burlesque. Weldon has had a long accomplished career in burlesque, having won awards at The New York Burlesque festival, produced shows for Tease-o-Rama and regularly serving on the judging panel for The Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend.

Weldon’s mission statement says that she “believes in burlesque as a means to introduce women who are shy about their bodies to enjoy the power of playful and/or confrontational exhibitionism, as well as creativity and self-expression through self-initiated theatrical performance."

The New York School of Burlesque offers lesson in many different aspects of burlesque, from glove removal to tassel twirling and even hula-hooping. Classes are taught by Weldon as well as guest teachers such as internationally known burlesque stars like Catherine D’Lish, Dirty Martini and World Famous *Bob*.

Studio L’Amour, Chicago

Michelle L’Amour runs Chicago’s burlesque school ‘Studio L’Amour’. Crowned Miss Exotic World 2005, L’Amour may still be most recognizable for her appearance on America’s Got Talent.

Besides lessons in basic moves to advanced burlesque choreography, Studio L’Amour offers fitness oriented classes such as ‘Tease n Tone’ and ‘Restorative Yoga’.

Classes are taught by Michelle and other well-known burlesque stars, including 2009 Burlesque Hall of Fame winner Hot Toddy who teaches ‘Men’s Striptease’.

Academy of Burlesque, Seattle

Indigo Blue, headmistress of Seattle’s Academy of Burlesque, has won three awards at Miss Exotic World, performed all over the world and founded the BurlyQ Cabaret.

The only institution of its kind in the Northwest USA, the Academy offers burlesque lessons from basic to intermediate level. Along with drop-in classes it also runs structured course lasting several weeks., most popular of which is the eight-week long ‘Burlesque 101’ in which students learn about the history and cultural context of burlesque and put together a character, act and choreographed routine which is performed at the end of the course.

Bombshell Betty, San Francisco

Offering dance classes, lessons and pin-up workshops since 2004, Bombshell Betty wants the women who come to her classes to find confidence in their bodies and stop judging themselves so harshly. “If you feel sexy, then you are sexy! She says in a SF Chronicle interview.

Foregrounding exercise, most popular are her ‘Burlesquercise’ classes, each of every alumni of which are invited to perform at shows around the San Francisco Bay Area with the Burlesqueteers troupe, no audition necessary.

Sources

  • 'Bombshell Betty' www.bombshellbetty.net
  • 'Miss Indigo Blue' www.missindigoblue.com
  • 'New York School of Burlesque' www.schoolofburlesque.com
  • The San Francisco Chronicle, Blue, Violet, Every girl online is fat, ugly and unsexy. here's how to get over it March 27 2008
  • 'Studio L'Amour - the Dojo for your Mojo' www.studiolamour.com

The copyright of the article Burlesque Classes and Workshops in Musical Theatre is owned by Karen Dion. Permission to republish Burlesque Classes and Workshops in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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