BECOMING BURLESQUE - BURLESQUE 101
Finish off 2025 with a BANG!
Learn the fundamentals/art of burlesque while having fun and feeling sexy.
Join award-winnng burlesque performers, Valerie Veils and Dulce as they guide you through the process of act creation over this 8 week course, finalizing in a live student showcase at Wild Child in Olympia.
Learn essentials such as developing a persona, costuming, the art of tease, dramatic story-telling, and how to move your body on stage!
This course includes:
6 group sessions (2 hours each)
2 private lessons (45 mins each)
Public Student Showcase (where you perform your act)
Whether you're here to boost your confidence, express your creativity, or simply treat yourself to a new experience - we’ve got you covered.
Location - The Abigail Stuart House in Olympia
Class Dates: Wednesday October 15th, 22nd, and 29th from 6-8pm
Wednesday November 5th and 26th 6-8pm
Wednesday December 3rd
Weeks of November 12th and 19th private lessons will be held in both Olympia and Tacoma
Saturday December 6th - STUDENT SHOWCASE at Wild Child in Olympia
Ages - 21+
Genders - ALL
Please Note: ALL bodies are burlesque bodies! This course is suitable and welcoming to all ability levels, genders, and sizes.
COST:
Summer Sizzle Special - $600 (When you sign up prior to September 1st)
$650 after September 1st
Payment plans available.
Class size is limited.
Reserve your spot by making payment to @PNWBurlesque on Venmo (if you don’t have venmo please email for other options) then email BecomingBurlesquePNW@gmail.com
If you’d like to do a payment plan you can reserve your spot by making a $200 deposit, and we will arrange payments from there.
Why NON-REFUNDABLE? (because it takes away the ability for other people to join the class when you reserve a spot) Refund considerations are always possible.
After September 1st only transferring payments to a different class is an option.
FAQ
Q: Do I need to dance or prior stage experience to join?
- Absolutely not! While stage experience or dance knowledge can be helpful it is by no means a requirement. The purpose of this course is to support you in creating an act and the movements that fit your body and story. Essential burlesque movements will be covered in class, but may or may not fit the story you are trying to tell. Additionally, you will have two private lessons included, where Dulce and Valerie will help you with movement ideas.
Q: Do I need to have an idea coming in?
- This is certainly helpful! However, the course itself focuses on the building blocks of act creation. You will have time, as you are learning in the first couple of weeks, to develop ideas with Valerie and Dulce’s guidance.
Q: Do you offer scholarships or reduced rates?
- Students who sign up before September 1st will get a discounted rate. Payment plans are also available upon request. Just ask! There are no scholarships available at this time.
Q: Will I make money?
- Please know going in that burlesque is a passion for most and a profession for VERY few. With that said we will try to give you the “full” experience at your recital which will include tipping. Tips will be pooled to help pay volunteers and split equally between performers. If you continue in burlesque, you may use the act you create along with the included performance photos and video to woo producers and get future gigs.
Q: Will burlesque give me confidence?
- Burlesque can certainly be an empowering artform! Do know that this course is not taught through a “self help” lens. The confidence gained will be through hard work and seeing your ideas manifest to thunderous applause.
Q: Will I learn choreography?
- No. Burlesque movements such as sturts, shimmies, and traditional bump and grind will be covered in class; however, the purpose of this course is to give you the knowledge and confidence to create an act that is uniquely you! Remember, if this is intimidating you will have two private lessons with Dulce and Valerie during your acts development stage, as well as opportunities to practice in front of your peers and receive constructive feedback.
Q: What is required of me outside of class?
- You will need to spend some time outside of class developing your burlesque persona, coming up with an act idea, locating music, creating choreography, and practicing your act - with our guidance of course! In addition, you will need to purchase the pieces for your costume (underbits, pasties, wigs, makeup, etc.), so please consider this in your budgeting.
Q: What does a typical class/session look like?
- In the first few weeks classes will be a mix of lecture and movement instruction. Please expect to sit and take notes - Valerie and Dulce have a lot of information (and opinions) on burlesque. As the course continues students will share their acts with their burlesque peers and receive feedback. The final class will act as a “tech rehearsal” where everyone will go through their acts in a mock show.
Testimonials
What did you GET out of your experience?
“This class gave me the confidence to finally try something I'd been wanting to do for ages. The instructors, other students and the audience for our showcase were all so supportive! It was such an amazing experience.” - Daryn Derriere
“Burlesque 101 helped me find the confidence and clarity I needed to take the leap into performing solo burlesque. The constructive feedback and guidance from Valerie and Dulce while conceptualizing my act, workshopping choreo, and putting together a costume was affirming and motivating. The act I developed with their mentorship is one I have since been able to perform again and again, and the skills learned in the process have been invaluable in continuing to create new acts and understanding how I see myself growing as a performer.” - Ever Afterglow
“Not to be dramatic but I got the world from this class. Burlesque was something I wanted to start for over 10+ year, and this class was what I needed to truly begin my burly journey. This experience helped me gain the tools to build an act that tells a story that represents my expression and is clear to an audience. Community building in burlesque is very important to me and I felt this experience was also great for that. It’s been amazing to see and support my classmates flourish in their own burly journeys.” - Vanell Ruth
What advice do you have for those signing up?
“Figure out what you want to do for your act early on so you have more time to practice your choreography! Don't get hung up on song choice, if it's something you like it will work. Do research before the class even starts so you at least have an idea of what style you're interested in.” - Daryn Derriere
“GO TO SHOWS — what you can learn from watching different performers is priceless. Be open to connections and opportunities you can make happen, through the class and elsewhere. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, own where you are in your journey, and introduce yourself as a new performer to fellow artists. Seek out chances to work doors at shows, kittening gigs, tip collecting gigs, and gogo dancing gigs — learn how the whole process of putting on a burlesque show works. Being prompt, helpful, and positive in any role with which you are tasked goes a long way in building connections. Burlesque 101 helps you develop a persona and an act, and gives you an opportunity to perform for a real audience, but the legwork beyond that is up to you.” - Ever Afterglow
“Give yourself grace. Sometimes life gets in the way, and you may think you are behind or not progressing… you are! Everyone’s journey is different, just remain intentional with your goal. Stick to it! See it through to the end – it’s worth it!
Bonus advice* if possible, before the class begins, think about what you want your act to be but remember to be flexible and open to critique.
Bonus bonus advice* Take care of your body. STRETCH!” - Vanell Ruth