It's my first real Burlesque show I'm performing in coming up (and yep the nerves have started..)
Apart from any tips for new performers (all of which are appreciated), Can you remember the first time you performed? What happened? Good and bad stories please

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Hi Blitzgrrl, this thread ran for a while sometime ago, have a read at some of the responses, especially Warren's, you'll love it.
I'll be thinking of you, the first time, and you make sure that you come back and tell us all how it went. xx
http://www.ministryofburlesque.com/b...-1st-time.html

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I remember not being able to hear my music over the screams of the audience. I was so nervous; I rushed through my number, so I was off queue. Practice your routine a lot. I also listen to my music all the time, even when I am not performing. Know your music so it becomes second nature.

There was one time my music stopped completely, but since I knew my music, I kept on dancing without skipping a beat.

Thanks for that link Broomy It's not till Halloween so hopefully lot's of time to get the routine really stuck in my head.

Until now I've only done a couple of skits with friends at small places - and whenever I've been on stage it's been acting. This on the other hand

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Alongside the lovely Millie Dollar at a charity event. She was ever so nice and supportive backstage. I was on first. The DJ cocked up and played the wrong music for me. I panicked, but my years of am dram experience took over and I did what I'd had to do onstage many a time before - improvised. Apparently it looked OK! I came offstage quite proud of myself - the one thing I hadn't imagined going wrong had happened, and I'd handled it!

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Oh yes GET INTO CHARACTER!!! My music over ran once and I had some really burleque tune played instead of my scally act!!! As Fleur talks about though, if you're in the right frame of mind you WILL just improvise! The DJ was more impressed with my improvisation than my act itself which I thought to be a little worrying at first, fortunately the act went down well too (even though I only got 2 minutes in!!) In truth my First performance was not what I wanted AT ALL. I even heard that dreaded and cringeworthy 'amature' word at the end - but frankly, if you don't start somewhere, you never get anywhere either! It probably never hurt neither because, without any time to change my act I had to perform it again and so faked ultimate confidence and added a few cheeky winks for a bigger cheer and smiling faces. So that's stayed in my head ever since - if something goes wrong just remember the same could happen to (Immodesty Blaize/Dita Von Tease/Betty Page - delete as appropriate), just smile and consult your alter ego - they'll know how to handle it!!

I remember my first performance (very memorable - it was also my 30th birthday!) and I was shaking like a leaf all through it! The crowd responded very well and I got asked if it was part of the act because it looked like I was shivering (baby its cold outside) but about midway you just think "this isnt so bad" and really get into it - good luck honey I'm sure you'll be fab

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On our first one, luckily it was with 3 other girls, I was dragged into burlesque performance through gymnastics and circus, and being bendy- I was asked to join in a routine. At that point, I kinda thought burlesque was just stripping with funny facial expressions and nipple tassles.
Needless to say, our routine was exactly that- a mixmatch of costumes and stripping with silly facial expressions!
I have to say though, that the crowd seemed to absolutely love it- whatever it was that we did (it wasn't a typical burlesque event crowd, and I don't think they were expecting the performance) so I had a fantastic time.
But it was that night that i also watched Missy perform 'burlesque propeur' and I was hooked!!!!
So not quite burlesque, but a start of a serious love affair!!....

My advice is to get as many friends to come along as possible! I was lucky in that my first performance was at a charity event being run by friends, knowing there's a few people in the audience who will definitely be cheering for you is a real confidence boost! A friendly face or two is always nice xxxx

I've performed at a few small things with my friends around but that was a totally different atmosphere as it was somewhere everyone knows each other. This one is in the midlands a huge distance to ask for any friends to come and watch. A lot larger and a lot more professional

Right, so be prepared to improvise, remember that it's probably gone wrong before so try and work it into the act and smile

Thanks everyone

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