It's the 12th anniversary of Jo Weldon's beloved instructional guide, The Burlesque Handbook!
This is the first-ever in-person series based on The Burlesque Handbook!
Questions? Email schoolofburlesque@gmail.com
The Burlesque Handbook turns 12 in 2022! It’s kicked off many an international performing career. It’s currently used all over the world by beginners and intermediates to build and improve burlesque routines. Many call it the Burlesque Bible. This series is based on the chapters in the book, with a few updates.
In Person on Sundays, September 11- December 18 2022. 2.10 -4.10 pm
Live Showcase for In-Person series is December 11 at DROM NYC.
In-Person students also have access to the online classes in the event they miss an in-person class. Zoom classes will be recorded to give registrants access if they miss the live sessions. If you missed a class, request the recording for a given date via email to schoolofburlesque@gmail.com.
Note-- There will be occasional guest instructors. In the event of unforeseeable circumstances [Covid times!], a recorded class may be substituted.
There are some differences between online and in-person topics in the final few classes as the in-person series has a live showcase in NYC.
In-person registrants can also attend the online versions of the classes.
Online Details And Registration
Discounts at different levels of registration for in-person, see in drop-down menu.
Pay in Full: $400
$200 Deposit: $425, balance of $225 due by September 1
$100 Deposit: $450, balance of $350 due by September 1
Details in Dropdown Menu
In-Person is SOLD OUT.
Register for the online series linked on this page, or email schoolofburlesque@gmail.com and ask to be waitlisted for the in-person handbook series.
Sundays 2.10-4.10 pm
at Aerial Arts, 150 West 30th St, Manhattan, NYC.
September 11 In-Person
Burlesque History
Vintage and Neo
September 18
Movement Discovery: Gloves
Movement Discovery: Boa Work
I'll be using a 6-foot heavyweight chandelle boa and a pair of stretch satin opera gloves. Feel free to bring whatever you have.
September 25
Movement Discovery: Shimmies, Quivers, Bumps, N Grinds
Movement Discovery: Stillness
October 2
Movement Discovery: Fans
History and innovation in fan dance, types of fans, shopping for fans
Various holds for various purposes and types of fans
Stripping while holding fans
Fan dance combined with floor work
Feel free to bring any kind of fan, from paper ones to feather ones.
October 9
Pastie-Making (Shopping list provided below, and be sure to bring items if you want to make pasties)
Movement Discovery: Tassel-Twirling
Shopping List for Pastie-Making
October 16
Striptease Discovery (Two Sections): Corsets and Stockings
Buying and lacing corsets, how to embellish them, and how to remove them
Buying stockings and peeling techniques
Bring corsets and stockings if you want to experience more than a demo.
October 23
Styles of Burlesque
Act Structure: Inspiration, Ideation, and Coherence
October 30
Music and Choreography Development
What’s your music choice?
November 6
Costuming (two sections):
Basics of Assembly
Embellishment and Breakaway
What’s your costume idea?
November 13
Makeup and Hair, Guest instructor (Burlycon weekend)
November 20
Beginning, Middle, and End
Let’s talk about shaping your act ideas!
How to do critique, develop a group
Rehearsal tips
November 27
What to look for when watching your videos
How to do Peer Review
Rehearsal tips and Effective Self-Critique
December 4 In-Person
Peer Review
December 18
In-Person Showcase
December 14 Online
Business of Burlesque:
Developing a promo package
Applying to festivals and competitions
Pay Standards
In-Person and Social Media Community Inolvement
Getting Repeat Gigs
If for any unforeseeable reason a class in the in-person series is cancelled it will be made up online, as the student showcase date is extremely difficult to change and all classes cannot be moved up.
The Burlesque Handbook Series Deluxe
With Headmistress Jo Weldon
Both In-Person and Online Schedules
This Fall, you can take it all the way with Headmistress Jo Weldon.
This three-month program takes you through burlesque striptease history (both vintage and neo), choosing a stage name, choosing music, how to tassel twirl, and how to get gigs.
There will be one track for in-person classes in NYC and one track for live Zoom classes.
This master class series is designed to teach you all of the basics of burlesque act development and prop handling.
The class includes a newsletter with tips and videos.
There is no other series like it -- there can't be, because Headmistress Jo is the author of The Burlesque Handbook!
The class features updates based on changes in the burlesque industry since the book was released, as well as information about how to get gigs in the current market.
If you haven't received your zoom invitation by half an hour before class time on the day of any class for which you are registered, let us know by emailing schoolofburlesque@gmail.com. Be sure to state the name of the class.
More details to come!
