Having always had a natural attraction towards anything away from the norm, 'quiet girl' illusions to shatter with a vengence and a desire for a chance to be centre stage, watched in awe and adored, I've been drawn to the wonderful world of burlesque.

I'm slightly new to scene so to speak, although I have enjoyed my own personal world of burlesque and fetishism over the years. Now I'm ready to devote myself to burlesque on a more full time professional level.

But I'm finding myself at a huge disadvantage, being 23 with no experience. Yet how can I gain experience? How did everyone get into what they're doing now? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Mme Leroux

Just get out and do it!
Do as much as possible - this will mean for free alot. You need to develop your acts and rapport with audiencesm - and get your name known.

Invest in your costumes and use catchy music so that people remember your acts. Be prepared to travel too!

Offer your acts to the various clubs - I believe someone from Flashmonkey posted and mentioned that they are always interested in new acts - give them a shot.

If you get the chance, go to the Edinburghg festival as well as the Brighton festival the experience there is invaluable.

- keep posting on teh forums too!

Kxx

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Kittie Klaw - The Ministry Of Burlesque
"Together We CanCan".

Find out more at.
www.kittieklaw.com
www.ministryofburlesque.com

I suggest:

develop two acts that you can do solo at any time, do what you love most, choose your music, costume, props. make sure you can do it anytime anywhere,

Try your act out on your friends, family, workmates, random people you meet on the street. If you can, video tape yourself. Often what you are doing and what you think you are doing can be different.

Once you have done that, you already are a burlesque dancer. So introduce yourself as one, and introduce yourself to everyone! Then when you are asked for a performance or an audition, you are already prepared.

Once you get your peeptoe stiletto in the door (which really is the hard part) the ball will start rolling.

Most of all have fun with it. it's an adventure. You know you have made it as a burlesque perfomer when you can apply false eyelashes on a bus.

Foxy Locksy

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www.foxyrouge.com

I'd just like to add that it might be a little scary "taking the plunge" but you will be so glad you did. You will have the most fun ever burlesque dancing, Its hard work but it must be the best job in the world.