BURLESQUE MASTER CLASS
with headmistress of the NYSB,
Jo "Boobs" Weldon
DATES: All on 7 Wednesdays: April 4, 11, 18 (Panel at Congress of Curious Peoples), 25. May 2, 9 ;6:30pm - 9:30pm
Showcase May 16, 8.30 pm
Location: Coney Island Sideshow School and Museum, Surf Avenue, Brooklyn.
Get into Burlesque with the Coney Island Master Class Series! You’ll start with a bang and have the opportunity to begin workshopping your act from day one. This series will feature New York's most acclaimed performers. Nowhere else in the world can you get a master class in burlsque with this many award-wi8nning instructors in one series!
The series culminates in a performance on the famous Coney Island USA stage! This year's Master Class will get to perform their student showcase on the legendary Sideshow Stage!
Coney Island USA and the New York School of Burlesque brings you a master class worthy of the name! Get in on the feathery, fringey, glittery fun! Learn how to put together a dazzling and entertaining burlesque act from some of the most recognized performers in the world in a series produced by Jo Weldon, author of The Burlesque Handbook! Coney Island is historically relevant to the history of American burlesque, with legends including Tirza, Sally Rand, and Gypsy Rose Lee gracing its stages and tents. More recently, Coney Island USA has been a crucial force in establishing and maintaining a venue for innovative neo-burlesque, helping to establish not only a style but a name for that theatrical movement. This establishment has contributed to the ease with which burlesque performers are now able to go to venues and start their own shows, referring to articles about and photos of what's blossomed here in order to prove that burlesque is back and has an audience. Viva burlesque!
The Coney Island Sideshow School Burlesque Master Class features additional instruction and input from working professionals and other performers who have made a career about of being fabulous, glamorous and funny. Past instructors have included Amber Ray, Angie Pontani, Bambi the Mermaid, Billie Madley, Bunny Love, Dirty Martini, Michelle Baldwin, NYU Professor Dr. Lukki, Gal Friday, Jonny Porkpie, Julie Atlas Muz, Kate Valentine, Lefty Lucy, Nasty Canasta, Tigger, World Famous *BOB*, and more.
In addition to hands-on training in movement, costuming, inventing a stage name and persona, idea generation, and music selection, students will discuss the history of burlesque and receive shopping and research guides. Readings, handouts, and youtube viewing assignments will be provided. Attendees will workshop their numbers before a panel of burlesque experts, receiving supportive yet honest critiques.
Week one (Speakers Jo Weldon, Headmistress of the New York School of Burlesque, Lefty Lucy, Miss coney island 2010, and Jonny Porkpie, The Mayor of Burlesque):
Introduction to burlesque, its history in Coney Island, and the innovations in neo-burlesque style.
Understand that burlesque numbers have a beginning, middle, and end, and learn how to generate ideas that work with a narrative arc.
Week two (With Jo Weldon):
Discuss ideas and stage names.
Music: Standards and Contemporary.
Choreography of Events.
Learn a classic burlesque routine to understand the movement history visible in most neo-burlesque numbers.
April 18: Wild Wild Women Panel at congress of Curious Peoples. (Speakers: Bambi the Mermaid (Curator of Burlesque at the Beach), The Great Fredini(Co-Curator of Burlesque at the Beach), Bunny Love, and Princess Pat.
Week four with Guest Speakers Nasty Canasta, the One and Only Cheese Queen of Coney Island, and TBA.:
Music choice is finalized.
Costuming is your choreography.
Small props.
Week five with Tigger!, The King of Boylesque :
Beginning, Middle, and End Revisited.
Costume issues addressed.
List hopes and concerns.
Week six:
Discuss acts with a panel of experts.
Exercises in characterization.
Week six:
Runthroughs and Peer Reviews.
Undress rehearsal.
Click here to see NYSB students taking it off for the very first time!
See us in action on CBS Sunday Morning:
The calendar below is constantly being updated.
