You decide what body they see
You can present your body not as it is when you’re slouching at home, but painted in the creative way you want it to be seen. It’s a beautiful space for building a fictional version of yourself. The lines you draw with your costume, the visuals you build with your lighting tech, the poses you choose… all determine how your audience sees your form. You’re in control. You decide. If you want them to remember a tiny waist, use graphic lines and a corset. If you want to leave them with the jiggle of your thighs and the bounce of your booty, use your costume and body position to tell them where to look and when to start salivating.
You decide if they like it
Your audience will believe what you tell them. From the moment you walk onstage, they believe you have the infinite power to lead them. Use your face to say “I love what I’m doing and you’d be crazy not to”. Especially at the end of your number. At the end you look at them and dare them not to applaud you. There are NO SUCH THING AS MISTAKES if you don’t let them see it.
3. Look at yourself like you’re a dessert buffet
Look at yourself like it’s making you salivate. An advice I often give my students. Choose moments in your act to look at your body with an expression that says “I can hardly believe this is mine … delicious!”. It makes audiences believe you have the most enviable flesh. Magic! And, best of all, you start to believe it yourself.
4. Take Risks
Jump off the cliff in more ways than one if you want to succeed. Listen to my interview on the Pastie Tapes to hear more about this one: on Apple Podcasts OR Spotify
5. Be clear about your goals
Don’t get caught in the loop of making acts/costumes/events just because someone asked you to. Don’t let other people decide what kind of burlesque you do and where. Write down your goals and how you can get there. Do it often.