Home of The Burlesque Handbook

All styles of burlesque are encouraged: traditionally glamourous, subversively funny, politically challenging, and/or wildly experimental. Your vision is treasured in this supportive space.
There will be some limitations based on the venue's concerns, so feel free to ask about them. For example, no full nudity can be performed, and no liquids can be used on the stage.

Register using the paypal buttons below.
Please note, this class can sell out very quickly.

Class Location: 440 Lafayette St, Manhattan, NYC, 10003
Showcase Location: DROM, 85 Avenue A, Manhattan, NYC

Class series is $295.

Act Development!
January/February series instructor: Gigi Holliday.
February/March series instructor: Jo Weldon.
Instructors are independent and do not use identical curricula, but both help students create a new act from beginning to end, including finding a stage name, discovering a concept, selecting music, assembling a costume, and developing choreography.
To learn dance moves, take the Monday or Sunday classes listed on the main page.
Location: 440 Lafayette St, NYC, 10003, Third Floor, Studio 3A.
This series takes students through all the steps of creating a solo burlesque routine and culminates in a student showcase!
The January/February 2025 series dates are:
Sundays, 3-5 pm on January 5, 12, 19, 26, Feb 2, 9.
Student Showcase February 23.

Don't miss our student showcase December 15!
If you're thinking about taking Act Development, it's the best way to prepare yourself for where you'll be performing -- and it's so much fun to see new performers set the stage alight!
Details and Tickets

Dress for classes with comfort and movement in mind.
Bring a bottle of water to the space (no meals in the studio, though a snack bar or other light snack is fine)
Be prepared for optional additional costs related to costuming (you set your own budget) and photography ($30-75 per person), video costs if available ($30-75 per person), or other costs related to your act.

Class meetings:
(These are basic guidelines, subject to change)
Class 1: Overview of Performance Fundamentals: Stage Names, Music, Costume, and Choreography.
Class 2: Start talking about your act ideas!
Class 3: More details, problem solving, and a performance exercise.
Class 4: Run number as a sketch of what it will be.
Class 5: Peer Review, Run Numbers with staging tips specific to the venue.
Bio information will be requested at this time.
Class 6: Undress rehearsal: run your number with your classmates!
In order to participate in the showcase you must send music files and bio information in the time frame requested, and attend at least five of the class or pay for a private session with the instructor to make sure you are on schedule.
Showcase: Showtime at DROM! Meet at 5.30 at 85 Avenue A. doors to public at 7 show at 8

You may want to purchase a copy of The Burlesque Handbook to keep for reference during the series. It contains chapters on everything from getting inspiration to making pasties.

If you need to learn to fan dance, chairdance, or twirl tassels, you will not be learning that in this series, so to prepare you may want to take The Essential Burlesque Series or watch videos.

This series happens four-five times a year.