Thread: Calling females who have worked as strippers in lap-dancing clubs.

I'm currently researching a magazine piece about burlesque 's perceived connotations of being "expensive", "middle- class ", "glamourous" etc. in comparison with the full-topless dancing (and pole work) that takes place in dedicated gentleman's clubs.

I would like to find some women that have performed as a stripper in this environment to ask a few questions about costuming, choreography and money (i.e. what you invest(ed) in your job and what you got out of it). If you're willing to help me out (and I'm happy to anonymise your responses if you'd prefer) then do send me a private message here.

Oh and if anyone's ever worked for a "dial-a-stripper" type agency - performing a one-off show in a private location, then I'd especially like to hear from you.

Best,

WARNING

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I know a former Rhino girl, I'll send her an email and ask her if she'll respond, I do know that whilst she didn't particularly enjoy the work she did love the money

I see that this is an older post but I don't if you haven't written your piece yet.

"costumes" depend on the club/bar your in it can range any where from a Bikini to a gown and everything in between. The Average club (in America) "uniform" is either a mini dress/ wraps 2 piece items such as hot shorts or skirt and a matching top. a good rule of thumb is to have 3 costumes per shift if not more keep in mind your sweating from dancing for 8 hrs, a drink may spill, and what attracts one man may turn off another.


My "average" outfit cost about $50US a piece. Usually purchased from Flirty catalog, online boutiques or local lingerie/ adult stores. When I worked in a more upscale or "gown" club my dresses where around $100US a piece. I bought those from Victoria secret, Fredericks. Also in a gown club the gowns are worn only on the floor you must have a separate stage outfit that can easily fit under the gown for quick changes behind stage.

Other must haves for strippers are platforms they run about $60US for a good plan jane pair. My heels started at around $60 and went upward to $80 I had 7 pairs on rotation, plus 3 pairs of boots starting at $100 up to $150. I bought all shoes off local suppliers.

Accessories:
G-strings start at $5 up to $15 with embellishments had maybe 20 or so had to replace 3-5 a month. they get lost, stolen, torn...the list goes on. pasties (if needed) I did 1/2 the time. sequined pair was $5 supplied by club i owned a pair in 5 different colors. plus a few pairs or rhinestone one that cost around $20 also some for the holidays. Garters I bought only the basic elastic ones @ $6 ea. 2 black, 2 red, 2 white 4 pink(both neon and pastel). I bought the cheap ones cause they get borrowed, lost, or stolen. Jewelry (depends on the girl) ranges anywhere from $6 to $100+. I personally didn't wear any cause I felt it got in the way.

Hair/make-up/maintenance: (Also depends on the girl)
I spent maybe $35 on hair for salon touch ups I styled my own. make-up maybe $100-$200 every 2-3 month. Keep in mind your wearing heavy make-up 3-5 nights a weeks needing to be touched up every hr or so. I also bought MAC or Department brands. waxing $40 brazilian per 3 wk $10 brow once a month. I waxed lip, pits and legs at home with a $20 kit once a month. Mani/pedi $30 plus tip every 2 weeks. gym membership was luckily paid by my one club but it would have cost me $65/month.

Music/choreography:

Most days not much thought went into it you just tell the DJ your performance an he would play a selection at random or you could plan several 10 mins sets and tell the DJ through out the night what song to play. Some girls really didn't care danced to the beat others thought it out to the T. I would normally pick an outfit with one small prop, then pick a song to go along, but my dancing was what I felt at the moment. Mainly because I would use a lot of crowd interaction. Taking drinks, stealing hats and ties. whatever I felt would get the audience going.

What I got out of it...Besides close to $2000+ a week, and an open schedule. I got to dance around naked Free drinks being naked! and meet a lot of fun ppl like an 80 yr old stripper, and some great conversations stories, autographs, and photo opps.



Srry it was so long and full off grammar errors. its late and I'm sleepy and just didn't care to edit. LOL

An article that may be of general interest to you as it comments on economic divisions within lap and strip clubs, particularly on the expense involved in being a dancer at a gentleman's club is "Stripping in the New Millenium: Thinking about trends in exotic dance and dancer's lives" by Mindy S Bradley. I can email you it if you want.

Thanks Glorian. That'd be kind.

I never got around to writing this article, and it's slipped onto the backburner... but still, I'd love to read that.