Dear Community,

I have made the difficult decision to close StudioBlue. After 5 months of government-mandated closure, and no certain open schedule, it was no longer feasible to continue maintaining the space. Classes continue to be held ONLINE, and you can still register and learn with us!

On behalf of all the instructors and administrators who have worked at StudioBlue, I want to express our appreciation to all the students who filled out little space with joy, sexiness, and fun. We have LOVED sharing our obsession with Burlesque with you all at StudioBlue!

Within the next month I will post information about materials that we may have available for sale or gifting. In particular, I am interested in transitioning useful goods to BIPOC Burlesque Educators – with local folks the first priority. (Please reach out to headmistress at academyofburlesque dot com to add your name to the mailing list for sale/gift information).

NOTE: The schedule of online classes is for August is posted at http://academyofburlesque.com/register.   This will be changing to http://academyofburlesque.com/calendar in September. Here you will continue to find classes taught by the legendary Academy Faculty online, and in physical locations as future regulations permit.

StudioBlue Opening party

Revelers at the StudioBlue Opening Party 2014

For those who are interested, here is a short history: In 2014 we opened StudioBlue in Seattle’s Jackson Place Arts District, thanks to the generosity of my sweetheart Louise Hansen, owner of Weezee’s Plumbing (Weezee’s holds the building lease). At first the space was an empty concrete basement box – but Louise coordinated the build-out of our space and served as our de-facto landlord for the duration of our time there.

Octavia Teaching At Studio

Former T.I.T. Octavia Sexton teaching Boa Tease at StudioBlue

Previous to that, we were grateful to be in residence at West Hall in the Oddfellows Building on Capitol Hill, thanks to the generous subsidy of Hallie Kuperman and the Century Ballroom. (Where, by the way, you can currently enjoy a delicious meal in a safe & socially distanced environment at The Tin Table.)  Hallie graciously supported our efforts to bring Burlesque to the masses by renting us office space and a gorgeous mirrored dance studio where we taught and performed.

In the years before we had “real” space, I rented studio space where I could find it – and in the *early* years, I taught Burlesque 101 in my living room (check out this sweet vintage “Evening Magazine” clip from 2008!).

Bachelorettes

Another delighted group of Bachelorettes at StudioBlue

So for the last 6 years, we have had our very own dance studio in StudioBlue.  It has been the home to Miss Indigo Blue’s Academy of Burlesque. We’ve held all our classes and workshops here, hosted countless Bachelorette Parties, and invited tons of guest instructors from around the world. At the studio (and in our parking lot) we also:

  • held BurlyCon meetings and stored BurlyCon equipment
  • hosted the landmark in-person meeting of the Seattle Burlesque Producers Group
  • held outdoor fan dancing classes
  • hosted blackberry picking events
  • built Pride floats
  • held Glitter Costume Sales
  • …and countless other amusing and sassy endeavors
TeaseCamp All-Staff Photo

TeaseCamp Staff Photo Summer 2019

We are proud to have donated rehearsal time to Markeith Wiley, Seattle Queer Burlesque Pride Choreography and Dark Diamonds Burlesque, and donated class space to POC Yoga and What The Funk Burlesque Festival.

Mia Maravilla at StudioBlue

Mia Maravilla captured at StudioBlue by YourRouge Photography

It has been a painful decision to close the studio – and I am personally very sorry that we can no longer share this physical resource with the community at large.  Space for artists has traditionally been hard to find, especially recently in Seattle.  My hope is that a new generation of teachers and performers will find a way to create a brand new space.  My dream for the future is of a gorgeous, light-filled space, filled with joy, love, and community.  I remain available to support and encourage those who wish to go forward in the service of making space for Burlesque.

The Academy of Burlesque continues to pay Real Rent Duwamish.

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