hi im new to the site ive been looking into how to get in to burlesque for a while now then i found this site witch is really good i live in kidderminster which is pretty close birmingham i am 17 years old and i love dance altogether its so fun i have gcse in dance because i took it at school a cuple of years ago im also starting a bely dancing class tuesday and adult street dance class so i just be able to do a few things. im a lil shy at first but it wont take long to get my confidence up i mean who doesnt get nervous but i do love preforming acting and dancing im also at college doing fashion photography and sculpture hopefully i will be learning coresty on my corse so that should be intriguing and very usefull its my second year there. but i would really love to jon a group as i would be nervous to go solo straight away but i really could use some help


Ellie x

I don't know how it goes being 17 yrs old and working in a predominantly over 18 environment (pubs and clubs)?

You might not be old enough to be allowed in, hon! However, I don't perform. Some of the others with burlesque work experience will be able to fill you in much better :-)

AliX

You could try joining this group Ministry Of Burlesque - Midland MoBers for us midlanders - I don't live too far away from you actually
You'll probably have to wait another year before going to shows, it's pretty frustrating but most clubs won't let you in until you're eighteen xx

thanks for the advise girls i guess id be able to do the photographic and modeling side of it for know but as soon as im 18 il be straight there lol x

If you mean modelling in a burlesquey style, again you might have to wait until you are 18. A corset and pencil skirt would prbably be fine, but if you wanted to go down to underwear or even pasties, I expect most photographers would rather wait until you are 18. To be honest, I wouldn't trust anyone who didn't mind photographing you whilst 17.

I know it's annoying but it's not too long to go.

In the meantime, you could have a think of some routine ideas. If you did want to go solo, you could start practising, get costumes together. You can get everything ready so that when you do turn 18 you are good to go.

Good luck

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As a photographer I have a strick no undre 18 rule - I do this to protect my business, my reputation and the model.

All models are required to sign a model release form which they sign to say they over 18 years old and when the person is of a younger age I always ask for picture identification.

As December Charm has said, prepare everything, get photoshoots lined up and then as soon as you turn 18 you will be all ready to go.

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My Photographic Model Release forms say the exact same thing and also have a section for mums and or dads singature as well.

Even my Magic Act contracts have an under 18 clause in them! I refuse utterly to go into a room with under 18's in it without over 21's and or parents being there. Better safe than sorry!

thanks again i guess il just get a load of acts together ready for when i am and props that il need xx

You'll definitely have to wait... it's a shame, but it's the way it goes, unfortunately. Take some time to read and learn and watch as much about burleseque as you can and you'll be perfectly poised to make a big splash in a year's time.

Hello!

It's worth bearing in mind that not all Burlesque is adult rated though: you're a perfect positon to hone all sorts of other performance skills and create performances that don't relate to striptease that will leave you in a stronger and more creative position where you're not bound by those sorts of expectations!

That means that when you *are* over 18 you'll have ideas you'll have learnt to present super-creatively in front of friends and will more clearly be able to choose whether to present with or without striptease if that's your choice.

I do feel that's important, as I *did* start performing pieces at an age where I was not of age to be in clubs, and I feel that when I did later start transposing my work to the Burlesque stage I felt more in control of what I did and why, and - what I find even more important to somene who's quite young - totally comfortable NOT removing anything. I've always felt that there can be a lot of pressure on young performers to conform (I have known a few performers who have felt obliged to do it at times, rather than felt it to be integral to the act), and an interesting act is an interesting act whether it follows the conventional form or not!

Besides, I bet you've already done a fair amount of Burlesqueing at school already... I mean, who's never taken the piss out of their teachers and eachother in front of an audience?!


Vicky xxx

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