The Art of Burlesque: Elevating Event Production and Empowering Burlesque Producers

Elevating Event Production and Empowering Burlesque Producers

I affirm the undeniable charm of burlesque, a form of theatrical entertainment that genuinely requires mastery in performance art. The dynamic landscape of burlesque is a testament to its rich history and the ability to constantly redefine itself. Every burlesque show is an intimate conversation with the audience and a fantastic spectacle that touches upon raw and fully expressed human emotions. I, therefore, invite burlesque producers and performers to participate in a conversation about growth and professionalism in our niche industry. As we delve deeper into the production side of things, an emphasis on professional growth and audience-centered approaches are often found lacking among burlesque producers and their productions.

As creators and curators of these mesmerizing shows, burlesque producers carry substantial responsibility on their shoulders. Often wearing multiple hats – producer, director, production manager – they are the beating heart that keeps the show alive. Yet, many tend to overlook their duty to not just stage a performance but to ensure it’s a professionally crafted experience that captivates the audience. Managing such a diverse set of tasks is already challenging enough. Without proper professional growth and training, it becomes an industry-wide problem. Unfortunately, many seem to misconstrue the gravity of this role, leading to a lack of awareness of full production requirements. 

Performers and producers alike, do you know how to evaluate your performance art or your productions?  This might seem like an intimidating task, but remember a cardinal rule of any artistic endeavor: critique and self-evaluation are essential for growth. By assessing your performances and productions, you’re allowing yourself to identify weaknesses and turn them into strengths. 

Effective critique and evaluation cannot be underrated in burlesque. It is a dynamic process that allows performers and producers to assess the effectiveness of their shows and ascertain their professional development needs. However, the concept of critique is often misunderstood. A critique doesn’t equate to endless self-deprecation, but rather a structured appraisal to identify areas for improvement.

And then, there’s marketing. Understanding how and what to critique in your performance art not only helps you refine it but also allows you to market it effectively. When you know your strengths, you can showcase them to your audience. When you are aware of your weaknesses, you can work towards turning them around. When you know what makes your show unique, you are one step closer to putting on a successful, mind-blowing sell-out show.

One significant area of interest and arguably the area that requires the most attention is audience consideration. The end goal of every burlesque performance isn’t just about the performers’ vibrant display of art. More importantly, it’s about the captivated gazes from every pair of eyes in the audience, appreciating the performance and the world created on stage. It’s time we prioritized audience comfort, punctuality, and creating a show that truly speaks to burlesque’s core.

Many burlesque shows fall short when it comes to technical aspects. The stage is a story-teller and yet scenography, a key aspect of effective storytelling, is depressingly undervalued. Poor attention to lighting can dim the luster of even the most magnificent performance. Each show, regardless of whether it’s in a 10-person venue or a 50,000-seat auditorium, has the potential to be a grand sell-out event or a dismal failure. The difference lies in the diligence of the producers and performers in understanding event production.

Success in burlesque, as a producer goes beyond show sell-outs. It’s crucial for burlesque producers to set tangible, meaningful measures of success and continuously evaluate their progress. It’s not enough to sell tickets; the show’s quality, audience engagement, and performers’ satisfaction are equally important. In the realm of burlesque, these are qualitative measures of success too. 

In addition, it’s important to note that professional development is a non-negotiable aspect for burlesque producers. Event production is a business that demands continuous learning. It includes attending industry events, expos, and professional development workshops not only in the realm of burlesque but also in broader aspects of the nightlife industry, the art and culture industry, and the event production industry. 

Beyond critiquing ourselves, we also need Professional Industry Critics. Who is our Roger and Ebert? Critics play a vital role in burlesque, their reviews acting as valuable feedback for performers, producers, and the audience at large. We need genuine burlesque critics who are ready to provide constructive reviews beyond mere applause for participation.

Understanding the financials that go into a production, figuring out your brand language, accommodating audience comfort, training your crew, and starting on time may seem like basic elements of event production. However, these ‘basics’ are often overlooked in local shows. To elevate your art to a professional level, you must do more than just participate. You need to critique your work, invest time in learning professional standards, and apply them to your shows. Remember, people appreciate and pay for quality. In the end, marketing a basic burlesque show isn’t enough; branding it as a unique, expressive experience is what catches the audience’s attention.  Don’t just perform—put on a show!