Starting your burlesque solo - with Lana Blu
Lana Blu is the coalescence of raunchy, quirky and just a little bit bitchy
I hope you have been enjoying hearing from students in the Act Development Course about their creative process and what drives them to scratch that stage time itch!
This week, I caught up with Lana Blu - who many of you might have seen on stage in some of our group routines before!
Taking a “'one step at a time' approach”, Lana shows that you don’t always need to go 0-100 when you start burlesque. Taking a steady approach can be really beneficial
“I didn't commit to performing at the beginning. Honestly, I was just concerned about getting through my first class, then my first term. I set myself small goals, finally getting through my first group performance. Solo performing felt like the next step for me.”
I was also interested to hear that as a student, Lana was someone that really shared and embraced the values here at Miss Kitty’s Meow, noting that “ burlesque appeared to offer a safe, supportive space which embraced all bodies and abilities. I wanted to try something 'out there', something with a performance element, but most importantly something that aligned with my values.”
“ There is nothing like a group of people who love things that shimmy and glitter as much as you do”
This is a really important part to me of helping students make that transition into a solo space - it has got to feel supportive . This doesn’t mean letting go of honest or critical feedback - because taking part in developing a a solo has got to be about the student moving beyond being told they are great (which of course they are!) - but on being able to take and action feedback to help themselves grow and develop.
As Lana mentions, it’s definitely a challenge with “the solo process requiring alot of introspection and challenging feelings of negativity and self doubt”
“Sometimes I can't see the forest for the trees. Getting caught up on the details, rather than embracing the theatre of the act. Of course details are important, but getting stuck in my own head over the little things is counter productive.”
But to get to that point, you’ve got to be feeling safe and confident knowing that you are with people that have your ‘back’.
I also love Lana’s approach and down to earth nature - recognising that trying a solo is a trial and error process. Her advice to new performers? “The process is just that, a process. That it is about learning and developing. It takes time, practice and a lot of mistakes.”
And ultimately, you get to set yourself apart and really realise your creative dreams and goals (rather than a teacher’s!):
“I love the energy that comes with the lead up to the show. I also know I get to perform with the most supportive, positive group of humans..... and there is that little part of me which is looking forward to it being over!
Yup! I hear you!
Catch Lana and all of the emerging artists at our Burlesque Showcase!