Darlings, we are so excited to share this amazing article written by 101 graduate Paige Rustles, sharing her transformative journey through Burlesque. Let this excerpt whet your whistle, and follow the links for the full article.
Reposted with permission
When I’m onstage, I’m performing for no one but myself.
photo by Jason Standeger
How we see the world shapes who we choose to be — and sharing compelling experiences can frame the way we treat each other, for the better. This is a powerful perspective.
The spotlight is bright in my eyes as I mischievously grin out at the crowd of unrecognizable faces in the audience. As I begin to slip an arm out of my cardigan, they go wild with screams and clapping.
And in that moment I am healed.
When one thinks of various healing modalities, burlesque doesn’t likely make the list. But since I began performing nearly eight years ago, burlesque has been one of the most transformative influences on my life. It helped me overcome my history of disordered eating, gain a new love for my body, and grapple with the ups and downs of my physical disability.
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]]>When I first got into Burlesque, I almost immediately learned about the Burlesque Hall of Fame, and the Miss Exotic World competition. I’ve always been a competitive person. And I was super excited about being a candidate for Miss Exotic World. Starting in 2002, I attended the Burlesque Hall of Fame reunion and pageant, competing to win the title of Miss Exotic World. By 2010, after 9 years of NOT winning Miss Exotic World, I knew a lot more about losing than I did about winning!
But by then, after those 9 years, something had shifted in me. I realized that each year I had left myself an “out”. Each year I had said to myself, “I really want to win, but I want to manage my expectations – to hedge my disappointment – just in case I DON’T win.” In other words, I was preparing myself to NOT win.
Once I realized how carefully and consistently I had prepared to NOT win, I knew that it was time to change. It was time to set aside my fears of feeling bad. It was time to focus on what winners do, how winners feel, and completely shift my mindset. So I did just that.
Here are some of the ridiculous rituals I did for the months before the competition:
- I asked myself every day, “how would a winner prepare?” and the answer was always, “Rehearse!” so I rehearsed a ton. I asked people I really respected for feedback, and then I did exactly what they recommended.
- I asked myself, “what would the winner’s hair be like?” and the answer was totally “she would have extensions”. I laughed. And then I totally got extensions.
- Each night, I wrote a list of gratitude to the universe, thanking the universe for granting me the title of Miss Exotic World and detailed the ways in which I would be of service to the Burlesque community. I put the list under a jar of water. In the morning, I re-read the list and drank the water.
On the day of competition, during the actual act, I made a mistake in my choreography and had to improvise with a costume removal. I added a leg-accentuation movement in order to get back on time in my music… and thought to myself, “Holy Cow, did I really just screw up the whole act?” Right after that, all of the rehearsal I had done kicked in, and my body just kept going. My mouth was dry as a bone, so when my back was turned to the audience for a moment, I closed my mouth in a desperate attempt to create some kind of saliva so I could unstick my lips from my teeth. Finally the act was over and I held my ending pose for the requisite time, and executed my stage exit as choreographed.
I was certain that I’d screwed up. I told myself, “try not to freak out… I did the best with what I could at the time, and it’s up to the judges anyway”.
Finally, the time came for the judges decisions to be read by the emcee, Miss Astrid. My mind flashed back to 2002, the very beginning of my Burlesque journey. I had gotten Miss Astrid’s phone number when I met her at the first Tease-O-Rama. I basically cold-called her and asked her to put me in her show, the Va Va Voom Room. Reluctantly and tentatively, she gave me the newbie spot – which was my very first gig in New York.
Flash back to 2011, standing in the back of the Orleans Theater, leaning against the wall behind the last audience row, pretty much certain there was no need for me to be backstage. Miss Astrid read out the superlatives – Miss Astrid called out, “Most Classic – Miss Indigo Blue!” – I was shocked! I had actually forgotten about the superlatives… I walked down the aisle, and up the stairs to the stage, to receive my trophy.
I thought to myself, “well, there it is! My prize! No Miss Exotic World for me. Best to smile and be gracious!” so I stood with my peers as the rest of the superlatives were announced. Most Comedic, Most Dazzling, Most Innovative.
Then Best Newcomer, then Best Troupe, then Best Boylesque.
Then it was time for the 2’d Runner Up, Miss Exotic World. A hush overcame the crowd. The name was stunning and thrilling: Lily Verlaine, one of my best friends! After receiving her trophy, she came to hold my hand in the line of honorees.
Then 1st Runner Up: Anna Fur Laxis! The stunning British Beauty had wowwed everyone with her glittering act.
Finally, the pinnacle of Burlesque awards in the world: Miss Exotic World, the Reigning Queen of Burlesque. Miss Astrid received the envelope, and opened it up. As she began speaking “and now… Miss Exotic World…” she began walking slowly across the stage in the direction of Lily and me. “Miss…” Lily and I gripped hands, “Indigo Blue”.
I looked at Lily, “…me?” she smiled and released my hand, gesturing me towards Astrid’s outstretched palm.
Handed off from one dear friend to another, I walked forward to an unbelievable, humbling, gorgeous roar of an ovation from the entire packed 800 person house at the Orleans Showroom in Las Vegas.
Thinking about it even now makes vibrations go through my entire body. It was hard to believe that I had finally achieved such a long-sought-after dream. But that moment is one I will never forget. The feeling of warmth, overwhelm, humility, and appreciation is almost indescribable.
(The only thing that supercedes that moment in my life is the step-down act I performed at the Burlesque Hall of Fame the following year – but that’s a story for a different day.)
And the point of this story is, anyway, that leaving yourself an “out” just creates a pathway to that exit. The point of this story is that preparing to live the life of your dreams leads to just that – the life of your dreams. So, dive in. Do it differently than you have in the past. Ask yourself, what would I do if I was living the life of my dreams? And then go do it.
With love (and a sash & crown),
Indigo
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]]>Heidi Von Haught
Heidi Von Haught (center)
Photographer Unknown – Is it you?
I have done a lot of hard work, made a lot of lifelong friends, and had a wonderful weird naked life. These days, I only produce and perform about once a year but I pour a lot of love into those shows. I’m looking forward to another fifteen years of being a weird naked artist.
with love,
HVH”
Photo by Max Shaw
Randi Rascal and Heidi Von Haught
Photo by David Peterman
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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!
Darlings, we are thrilled to announce we have hired a new TIT (Teacher In Training!): The fabulous, fantastical, uber-talented Moscato Extatique! They will be observing and training over the next few months, and you will see them in rotation in 2019 (ps… Pilates with Moscato, anyone??). They are also performing in Friday’s SOLD OUT Faculty Showcase!
In the meantime, learn more about our new fabulous faculty member!
Moscato Extatique is a classically trained dancer and award winning choreographer based out of Seattle, WA. They graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Dance from Cornish College of the Arts where they studied neo-burlesque theory & performance under the instruction of Cherry Manhattan. Moscato has appeared in dance works by esteemed choreographers Donald Byrd, Sidra Bell, Wade Madsen and was a member of LED Boise.
Meneldor Photography
This tempting tart is one fourth of Seattle’s very own burlesque sensations Mod Carousel, a dancer for House of Verlaine, and has graced the stage in productions by BenDeLaCreme and Verlaine & McCann Present. Moscato has also appeared in the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival, Texas Burlesque Festival, Freezing Tassel Burlesque Festival, the Moisture Festival, as well as The Seattle & New York Boylesque Festivals.
Photo: Ji Ji Lee
Teaching Experience: Moscato is a certified Pilates mat instructor and has taught workshops and pop up clases since 2016. They have taught ballet and contemporary dance styles to students of all ages and levels since the age of 16. Moscato was a Teaching Assistant to Cherry Manhattan’s Burlesque Theory & Performance class at Cornish College is the Arts in 2016.
Photo: Sydney Akagi
Other experiences: Since moving to the Pacific Northwest Moscato has been featured in various theatrical and dance productions including Land of the Sweets: The Burlesque Nutcracker, Through the Looking Glass: The Burlesque Alice in Wonderland, BenDeLaCreme’s Beware the Terror of Gaylord Manor, The Gifts of War Project, The Men in Dance Festival, and was a featured choreographer and principal dancer for 127th St. Dance Company. Moscato was presented the 2016 DanceCrush Award from SeattleDances for their choreographic work “cold side [of the pillow]”.
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Student Testimonial – “High Point”
Can you remember the most profound high points of your life?
What stands out to you as the peak experiences that evoke a feeling of pride, pleasure, and well being?
We like to call these moments “anchor references” – moments of true achievement that you can call on in your memory, to remind yourself over and over again how awesome you are.
Again and again we hear from our graduates that completing Burlesque 101 is one of those experiences.
This grateful student said:
“You are such an amazing Queen and truly so inspirational. This is such a high point in my life and you made it happen. Thank you so much for giving me some bravery & confidence. <3”
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Student Testimonial – “Life Changing”
It is no secret to those of us that do Burlesque, that it changes our lives.
It also changes the lives of those who see our performances.
Burlesque demonstrates powerful confidence – something we all crave, and something we can all access.
Like this student said, it is a journey.
She said:
“This has truly been a life-changing experience. Thank you for sharing this incredible gift with us. Looking forward to continuing this journey. All the love.”
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Student Testimonial – Pizzazz!
What a wonderful treat it was to receive this gushing love note!
I absolutely loved working with this student, who started class not long after a life-threatening accident.
She had about 40 million great ideas for her act, and because of her recovery process it was hard to focus.
But together, we honed her concepts into one super powerful expression that was perfect for her.
And at the recital, she had all the Pizzazz in the world!
She said:
“I cannot thank you enough. In addition to inspiring me, encouraging me, and supporting me, you were my burlesque therapist and advocate. You helped me so much and always had the perfect tips to add sleek sexy spice & pizzazz. You bring spark, talent, style & strength to all you do. When I thought about quitting you didn’t even consider it as an option & gave me the most fabulous feedback on how & why to keep going. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.”
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]]>If you’ve been to a Burlesque show in Seattle recently, you’ve probably seen The Academy of Burlesque’s current Photographer-in-Residence, Max Shaw. Max’s stunning images of the current Reigning Queen of Burlesque and Academy Lead Instructor INGA have garnered him national attention.
Max specializes in performer headshots, glamour and boudoir shoots, and live event photography. He also does family photos, weddings, corporate headshots, troupe photos, and even pets!
Max’s sensitive and collaborative approach to capturing the essence of individuals and groups is at the heart of his evocative images. He naturally creates a safe, comfortable, fun, and experimental environment for his subjects, and easily draws out both the vulnerable and powerful moments.
We are delighted to have Max at STUDIOBlue, and honored to have him as our Recital/Show Photographer, as well as snapping in-class and behind-the-scenes images of the Academy of Burlesque. Grab a chance to shoot with Max at STUDIOBlue this August during the Academy of Burlesque’s summer break!
In Max’s own words:
“My biggest inspirations right now are Alfred Cheney Johnson and Neil Kendall. Annie Liebovitz, too!
Our Queen INGA has become such an inspiration for me and I feel so lucky that I get to create with her often. She’s definitely one of my muses!
It’s an honor to be in Seattle right now – and it’s my hope to capture even just a piece of this queer moment.
One of my goals for the upcoming year is to travel and photograph a show out of town. I’d love to make it to BHOF 2019 and a couple of festivals along the way!”
Max is much more than just a talented eye behind the lens. Find out more on this podcast featuring Max, and another Seattle photographer Dylan M Austin. Dive into Max’s personal story, and his philosophy on photography and queerness.
Check out even more of Max Shaw’s amazing work on his brand new website (where you can also make booking inquiries!) and follow him on Instagram.
Curious about studio rental? Check out STUDIOblue for more information!
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Student Testimonial: “Unstoppable”
Love notes like this stop me in my tracks.
Without divulging too much about this particular human, let me say that confidence, in general, is one of the main reasons people take Burlesque 101.
So to receive this note from this student is really special.
And the shine and glow on her face at the recital is something I will never forget!
She said:
“Thank you so much for the Burlesque 101 experience. I loved working with you and your team of amazing instructors. I feel like not only did I learn a new skill but I grew as a performer and a woman. Working with you really helped with my confidence. I left feeling inspired and unstoppable. I am excited to see what’s to come.”
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Student Testimonial – Fun
The happy face tells all!
So many students tell us how much fun they had, and how much joy, silliness, and, well, FUN that Burlesque brings to their lives.
How many opportunities do we have to be super silly, sexy, and playful with other grown-ups in a comfortable community environment?
Not many!
She said:
“Thank you so much for everything. This class was truly amazing and I am so happy I decided to take it. I feel more confident and can’t believe how much fun I had. :-)”
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