So You Want to Produce a Burlesque Show! V. 3

Above: The flyer for my 63rd Birthday show.
I've been producing shows from dive bars to BHOF for decades!
Ask me anything!

I always encourage my students to produce their own burlesque shows! They make new friends in class and build new audiences at student showcases -- their fresh energy is just what burlesque needs to stay exciting and relevant. There are many, many ways to produce burlesque shows, so if you read my recommendations and have different experiences or preferences, I hope this will at least give you a clearer idea of what you don't want to do!

1) Visualize your show. Ask yourself as many questions as you can think of. Will it require a stage? Will that stage need a curtain? Make a poster for it, even if it's just a sketch on a pad. Make a private online or print vision board with pictures of how you want it to look. Make a name for it -- and research the hell out of that name to make sure it's unique so you can promote it easily.

2) Find a venue. a) Most venues don’t want burlesque, so you have to find one that is willing to support you, especially by including you on their website and in their emails and social media. b) Does the venue work for you in terms of where performers will perform and where they’ll dress, and where the audience will be situated? What happens in the venue before or after your show? c) What restrictions does the venue require? These requirements are usually in line with liquor laws and local standards. You don’t want to get the venue shut down and have all the people that work there lose their jobs, so look for one whose requirements are compatible with your values and intentions. d) What is the venue’s reputation? What is their vibe? Research it for controversy and legal issues. For instance, if you’re queer, disabled, trans, a sex worker, or BIPOC (or all of the preceeding!), you’ll want to make sure they’re fellows or allies. e) It’s okay to compromise on logistics (maybe you want a curtain and they don’t have one, for instance), but it’s never worth it to settle for a place that won’t treat you right. f) If there’s alwaready a burlesque show happening there, you may want to touch base with them to make sure you’re copacetic.

3) Prepare to meet with the venue. If you can, make a digital and/or print press kit that shows what you’re planning to do. Tell them what you’ll bring to them, what it will look like, and why you think you’re a good fit. Remember, if you’re new, your freshness is your currency; if you’re established, your experience is your currency. Be yourself and be honest about what you have to offer, and make sure they appreciate it.

4) Negotiate the terms. Make sure you’re talking to a person with the authority to handle the venue’s financial decisions. Be clear on what you expect from the venue. Every place is different. The venue may want you to pay their DJ, lighting person, doorman, etc. They may want a cut of the door, or they may offer you a cut of the bar, or they may be willing to pay all your costs. Get all these terms in writing. Don’t take a bad deal – it’s better to find someone else who wants what you have to offer.

5) Prepare to pay performers, emcees, stage helpers, tip mavens, etc. Give them all a guarantee and arrive with the money in hand. Some producers start out thinking they’ll pay performers out of the door, but that’s not reliable or ethical -- what if you don't get paid? That's the risk you take. You should be prepared to pay them as immediately as possible after the show or event. Most performers prefer to be paid before they leave the venue.

6) Figure out your tip policy, and be prepared to describe it to both the performers before they commit to the gig, and to the audience, ideally explained in an entertaining way, before they tip. Can audience members throw money? If so, who picks up the money? Where does it go? Can the audience tip in a bucket? In an envelope? Via Venmo? How are the tips distributed, and to whom? What is the current standard in your community?

7) Prepare your marketing strategy. How will you let the world know about your show? Who is your intended audience? Don’t rely on the venue alone, and don’t rely on the performers. Different venues and different performers have different resources, bandwidth, and ability to help with promotion. Try to be prepared to do it entirely on your own so that their support is a bonus rather than a necessity.

Feel free to share your experiences as a producer, performer, or venue.
Questions? Suggestions? Unpopular opinions? Hit the comments below!