Burlesque dancers represent cofidence and are a classic provocative, but is there a way one should dress during a performance and outsie of the performance? Do dancers always have to keep up their charm?
And what would be an "ideal" BMI for a dancer to have? I know being voluptuous is sexy in the art, but I have been seeing a lot of skinny dancers lately.

Hi Lolilolita

Basically the answer to these questions is NO!!!

There isn't a way one SHOULD dress during a performance and outside of the performance.

Performers do NOT have to keep up their charm (actually not totally sure what you mean by charm, so I'm interpreting this as do you have to do glamour 24/7)

And there absolutely absolutely absolutely IS NOT an ideal BMI (I hate that blooming abbreviation) for performers to have.

Burlesque is for everyone and anyone, short, tall, fat (and no this isn't a taboo word, it's just a descriptive word, I am fat and there is nothing wrong with that word, it's just what I am), slim, middling, young (provided you're over 18 if you want to perform), old, female, male, cd, transgendered, black, white EVERYONE.

What you are does not matter - it's what you do with what you've got and who you are.

You totally got it right with your first statement - if you can be confident about who you are, and what you're doing on stage - then you can do burlesque.

And you can dress however you want - a voluptuous, hollywood glamourpuss to an octopus, to all the gorlesque performers, virtually every animal going, to an angle-grinding smurf, oh there are too many different ways you can dress to list - just type burlesque into youtube, sit back and enjoy (and be amazed)

There are various threads on the forums discussing whether we should live glamour 24/7, and the answer to this is no we don't HAVE to and some people here on the forums do manage it, some don't, and some don't want to - they like having the difference, so it feels extra special when they do dress up.

But here's a thread AliX started a while back where loads of people suggested ways to put a little glamour or burlesque into everyday life:

Putting a little glamour or burlesque into everyday life

Hopes this helps.

Just chill - there isn't a way anything has to be done - be yourself, or the way you want to be and have lots of fun with it!

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Thanks for replying!

You really helped a lot =) Very informative.

I have one more question (lol of course I do): If I am only seventeen, what can I do for the next year to launch myself into the profession? I know I can do still-photography, but what am I limited to?

There are a couple of threads on this as well but my advice would be: Do different Dance classes, Learn costuming skills and maybe find a way of performing to a crowd.
Contact local nights and ask if you can help out (even if it's just with advertising, contacts help a lot)
Some photographers won't shoot under 18's though.

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Thanks. I guess I can wait half a year...

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Sweet Lolita

You are a wise young lady indeed. Most 17 year olds are rebellious to sensible advice, but without any explanation, you have taken what has been said, on board. The advice given hides some very serious concerns, 17 year olds take note. MOB has up to 20,000 hits a day, and not all of those guests are burlesque minded, if you understand my implication. So, young lady, I wish you well in the world of burlesque, I know that you will enjoy yourself, whilst taking care to keep safe. xx

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I have never, ever, in all of my research into burlesque read anyone prescribe the ideal body shape.

Burlesque is first and foremost about art and entertainment. Whilst, obviously, body image comes into play, I think this is far more to do with contemporary society than the burlesque art-form. Matters regarding body image are projected on top of it and not at its heart.

I have never been asked for my measurements, weight or BMI during a booking enquiry and, if I were, I would feel very uncomfortable.

I have never heard of anyone losing out on a booking owing to being too slim or too curvy.

When it comes to booking performers for my show, I try to get as much variety (in terms of body shapes and sizes) as possible. I'd hate for anyone to go away from Hot Muffins thinking that burlesque performers have to be a size 8 and brunette/big-busted and red head/size 16 and blonde...

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Thank you Pilot. I plan to be safe when I am here, I haven't even put any of my real info on or a real photo of me. I plan to keep it that way for awhile.

Beatrix, sorry if I offended you! I just have seen a change in style from the 1930's burlesque to that of today, so I wanted to know if there was a reason. Thanks for the words =)

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Sweet Lolita