9:00 - 10:30 AM

How do you take your ideas from your head and onto the stage? Do you need help figuring out where to start? What EXACTLY goes into an act that connects with an audience? Join Shimmy LaRoux for Act Development Made Easy!

Creating compelling acts follows similar formulas: story arc (establish, build, twist, resolve, close), costuming, music, and connection. Once you know how to use these formulas, you will have all the tools to create acts that are uniquely you.

Shimmy is Miss Burlesque World 2022, an International burlesque headliner and traveling showgirl who builds stories from hurt and heartbreak to wacky takes on Disney.

In this 90-minute lecture and movement workshop, we will learn how acts are created, how to tell a story, the power of music and costuming, and how to improvise if things go sideways.

All levels are welcome. You'll need a pen and paper.

9:00 - 10:30 AM

Sass and Smolder is a class focused on refining musicality in your performance. We'll briefly discuss what musicality is and how it can better serve your performances before working on a small piece of choreography to put that discussion in action. Come ready to sit in the moment and accentuate your ASSets! Attendees should come dressed to dance (heels are optional).

9:00 - 10:00 AM

Your job as an Emcee/Host is to be a Cheerleader, Health and Safety Monitor, Traffic cop, Referee, and Distraction. Add to that lovingly introducing a dancing human who has spent hours and hours perfecting their act and creating their costume! How does one:

1. Keep the audience engaged

2. Set the performer up for success?

This class aims to help Beginning Emcees explore:

• Owning the stage and THE RULES for A GOOD TIME

• Persona for the evening (Watcher vs participant)

• Techniques of introductions (RESEARCH and PLANNING)

• Outro-ductions

• Show timing

• Running gags

• How to be tactful with producers

10:45 - 11:45 AM

How to elevate your performance creativity to the next level.

In this 60-min lecture/round table class, you will learn techniques on how to take your ideas to the next level and push your creativity past the obvious. This class centers around the concept that no idea is new and everything has already been done. Miss Catwings will help you break down methods of brainstorming, re-evaluate elements of an act and elevate your creative acuity and take your performances to the next level.

BRING: a way to take notes (pen & paper or digital is fine) BONUS if you have an act idea you are trying to elevate for workshopping, but not necessary.

NOTE: Instructor supports any students choice to wear a mask if they feel more comfortable. However, please be courteous of all class attendees and stay home if you have a cough or are feeling unwell.

12:30 - 2:00 PM

Unlock your inner musical performer to step your burlesque game up this year.

Hone your skills in transitions, movement and connection; and acquire the tools necessary to bring out the WOW factor in your next act and take your choreography from step-driven and technical to organic and awe inspiring.

Learn the importance of active listening, song selection and mapping, alongside tips to working with live bands. Lou Lou will teach you how to strengthen your use of rhythm, tempo, phrasing, and mood so that you will be set up for success next time you hit the stage.

12:30 - 2:00 PM

Improvisation is a valuable skill to have as a performer. Think about if/when you forget some of your choreography in the moment and have to wing it! Strengthening your improvisational chops is a game changer for your choreography, act creation and confidence on stage. In this class we will explore improvisation as an extension of who you are as a burlesque performer. Through guided journaling, discussion and lots of improv exercises you will expand your tool kit and strengthen your connection to the essential you on stage.

12:30 - 1:30 PM

How to Make Fire Tassels and Torches and Safety Tips with Shawna, the Black Venus

In the 70s and 80s, one of the things Shawna was known for was her spectacular fire show. Let Shawna teach you how to make fire tassels and discuss how to transfer that skill to create torches and learn the fundamentals of using fire, fuel and spinning safely.

Please bring your own pasties with swivel tassels. Shawna will show you to make your own set of fire tassels and torches. Fire tassels and torches will be shown as an example only. THIS IS A LECTURE COSTUMING CLASS.

2:15 PM - 3:45 PM

Whether you are a solo artist or part of a troupe, collaboration is key to making a memorable act. As the saying goes - art isn’t made in a vacuum! Join the PNW’s juicy power trio, Papaya Magic Cabaret, as they guide you through playful exercises that encourage mutual trust, communication, and collaborative choreography.

2:15 PM - 3:45 PM

What is choreography? In a nutshell, choreography is designing & memorizing moments, motion and/or formations to and from the next moment, motion and/or formation. Dancing should complement or enhance the story you’re telling, not distract! Keep it simple! Standing with beautiful posture and lines can be just as powerful as intricate choreography. Move right for you and grow from there. In this class we will:

A: Play with exercises to assist in coming up with movement and how to apply and manipulate it.

B: Talk about various ways to memorize what you create.

C: Walk and talk stage mapping and the emotional ties of certain spots on stage.

D: You will then repeat the movement phrase to several different genres of music with composition elements, characterization/visualization.

Please bring: heels, notebook & writing utensil and wear comfortable clothes for movement.

Note: This is a composition style class. Not specifically a “dance” class. I will not be giving you movement. You will be learning tools & ideas to enhance your current embodied movement.