If there are many more threads like this please just point me to them.
But...

My first ever burlesque performance is on thursday. Im really really looking forward to it and really hope i do well. Do any of you fantastic talented performers have any tips for a first timer?

Your advice would be extremely appreciated as i want to make this performance the first of many to come and i really want to impress the crowd (obviously) but also all the people who have been routing for me!

Thanks lots and lots

Claudia, AKA Miss Violet Delight
xxx

Ok first things first,
you are going to get very nervous at some point you will probably panick and wonder what the hell your doing there.
This is perfectly normal. Have a glass of wine or your tipple of choice, then take a little time away from others go over your routine in your head and try to get into character. You will still be nervous.

When it's your turn to perform forget everything else concentrate on your routine and your musical queues.
Really go for it put your all into your routine play up to the crowd but most of all have FUN! If something goes wrong and it will, just carry on the audience probably wont even notice and remember to smile and keep good eye contact.

Hope you have a great time keep us all posted on here.

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Angel LaVey - Naughty But Nice

Angel's very much right here, but I'd like to add this: only have ONE glass of wine etc., because too many may affect your co-ordination, and you don't want the thing that goes wrong to be you falling over! But I totally agree, something will almost definitely go wrong, and it was probably be something you can't control and haven't planned for. But the more you know your routine the more likely you will be able to cover it or improvise through it. Just carry on and smile, because the only person who knows something has happened will be you. The audience haven't seen what the routine is supposed to look like, so if you miss a cue or fluff a move or something, just carry on as if it was meant to happen like that! Remember you are there to perform and have fun and let that carry you through.

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Terry Pratchett to Fleur - "Oh, are you the cleavage lady?"
Visit me - www.badflower.co.uk

Good Luck Hun!

I'll be there screaming for you! I'm bringing people along with me too!!

xx

Breath in through your nose and out through your mouth, that helps me. Bring a gown of some sort that you can throw over yourself, so you can nip to the loo, you may do that a lot when your nervous. Slippers are good to as back stage can be a mucky place and it keeps your stockings clean. A piece of fruit or chocolate for when you come off, I can never eat before a gig so I always need a power snack after so I don't faint. If you are like me you may find your hands are shaking on stage, it does not always happen but it can so if it does, breath. Don't rush, if you have gone to fast add in a bump or a shake.
Other than that you will have a fantastic time and do everything that Angel says the most important being smile and keep eye contact. Only look down if you want them to look down at something like your zipper ect.
Good luck honey and knock em dead.
Love and Big hugs
Diva xxx

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Diva Hollywood - http://www.myspace.com/divahollywood

I only recently started performing myself so I know exactly how you feel!!!

My best piece of advice is don't stress yourself out worrying about how the performance is going to turn out!!!

Make sure you've practised enough that you know the routine inside out! that way if something does go wrong, you'll be able to carry on without even thinking about it :-)

And if you do forget your routine just wing it, 'pretend' you know what your doing!!!!!

Let us all know how it goes :-)


Lola P x

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myspace.com/lolapopsburlesque

Sorry, Ive no advice but Good luck!!!

thanks everyone for their advice - i shall be performing for the first time in public at the sugar fix next weds so help is appreciated!
miss pops i believe we are on the same bill. good luck hunny! x

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Selena Lix and her damn saucy tricks!

Good luck to the new performers! All very good advice so far! I would also say make sure you're on time. I like to get to a venue quite early and check out where I'll actually be performing before everyone else gets there. Very often I'll find that the space is not the same as that I've had in my mind when practising and suddenly realise that there will be a whole bunch of people sitting behind me or something and so have to re-work where I'll be facing for different bits.

Also make sure you take everything you need. I now have a little list of my routines and what costumes/props are needed for each one. This means that when I pack for the show I can tick them off and know I've got them all and importantly, when I've finished I know I won't leave anything at the venue.

Make sure you've got you're music on several cd's in case one doesn't work, be professional and courteous to everyone you meet and as everyone has already said, HAVE FUN! An important thing to remember is that the audience are their to have fun. They're already presdisposed to liking what you're going to do even before you've done it, so recognise that they're on your side!

And again, Good luck!

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Castlist - One Site To Rule Them All

Oooh!!! i look forward to meeting you hun x

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myspace.com/lolapopsburlesque