Home of The Burlesque Handbook

GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER

Create Your Own Original Solo Routine in our legendary act development series!

Your instructor, Jo Weldon, has been bringing new performers to the stage for over two decades. She combines the best of vintage, early neo, and current sensibilities to help you develop a routine in the style that you love best. You'll learn how to find the perfect stage name, choose music, assemble a costume, and develop a routine that shows the world you're ready to take it on.

Register using the paypal button below.
Please note, this class can sell out very quickly, so register as soon as you are sure you can attend.

Class Location: 440 Lafayette St, Fourth Floor, Studio 4C, Manhattan, NYC, 10003
Showcase Location: DROM, 85 Avenue A, Manhattan, NYC
Must be over 21 to enter or perform at DROM.

Class series is $295.

This series is offered four times a year.

This series takes students through all the steps of creating a solo burlesque routine and culminates in a student showcase!
Ideal for beginners through intermediate performers.
Sundays 3-5 PM
March 8, 17, 22, 29 & April 12
Showcase April 19 at DROM, runthrough 5.30-7, call time 7 pm, show at 8 pm
Includes handouts, worksheets, and additional reading suggestions.
Instructor: Jo Weldon, author of The Burlesque Handbook
In addition to the class time, you'll have access to these recorded classes to watch (or not--they're optional) at your leisure:
*Corsets and Striptease
*Stage Makeup Tips
*Confidence for Burlesque
*20th Century Burlesque History
*21st Century Neo-Burlesque History
*Make Your Own Pasties
*Fan Dancing Poses
*How to Get Gigs
Plus, a copy of Jo's booklet on how to get started as a performer in burlesque -- not just how to get your first gigs, but how to get asked back.
Classes take place at 440 Lafayette St in Manhattan, Fourth Floor
Register using the button below

TESTIMONIALS

"Just over five years ago, my life was forever changed when I walked into Jo Weldon’s Burlesque Essentials Class, at the New York School of Burlesque. At the time, I was in a very broken place in my life, and was not sure if taking these classes would help me to reconnect the pieces, but I was hopeful. So much more than learning the art of the tease, Jo not only helped me find myself again, but gave me permission to find my passion, and be unapologetic about it.
In our very first class together, Jo introduced us to the rules of burlesque, then immediately told us all to do whatever the fuck we want. I took that advice and decided to do exactly that. I am forever grateful to her because of it."
-Poison Ivory, Miss Exotic World 2016, NYBF class May 2012

"Jo Weldon is an incredible performer, mentor, and educator. She was my first burlesque teacher, and she approaches teaching with an easygoing, candid, and fun-loving manner, while also being deeply knowledgeable about the art and its history. Throughout my burlesque career, she has remained interested and supportive of me and all of her students, and I can guarantee I wouldn't be where I am without her!"
-Hazel Honeysuckle, lead performer in Absinthe, one of the most popular shows on the Las Vegas strip.

"Jo Weldon is an extremely knowledgeable expert in the history of burlesque. She has been both a teacher and mentor in my performance career. Her rich knowledge of the business of show business and her articulate insight into performance art have been invaluable assets for all her students. I can always count on Jo's opinion and expertise to provide the best direction!"
-Calamity Chang, internationally renowned performer and producer of The Asian Burlesque Festival.

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), plus photography ($30-75 per person) or video costs if available ($30-75 per person), or other costs related to your act.
Unlike many forms of dance classes, there is no additional fee required to perform in the showcase. In fact, we will teach you how to do marketing and make money as part of the series. You will keep your own tips, there will be a tipping pool in addition to that, and NYSB will contribute to the tipping pool from a percentage of the door.
After the showcase students will receive a booklet and video on how to get booked for burlesque shows.

You must make at least four of the classes to perform in the showcase, including the final class of the series.
It is strongly recommended to attend all.
There are no makeup classes but Jo will provide lots of great video resources and articles.
Purchase a copy of The Burlesque Handbook for reference.

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.
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 four of the classes 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 open to public at 7 show at 8

All styles of burlesque are encouraged: ethereally glamourous, fiercely sexy, 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 in advance. For example, no full nudity can be performed, and no liquids can be used on the stage.

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.