What I wish I knew when I started my burlesque career

When I first started performing burlesque, there was so much I didn’t know.

I was learning how to move on stage - in a totally different way to what I had experience in before.

Plus learning the mechanics of how to peel off a costume, making costumes, and how to choreography a completely different performance style.

And trust me when I say there are things I wish I knew when I started.

You don’t need to be body confident

If you are interested in burlesque (or any type of artistic performance to be honest), I think the biggest myth is that you have to be innately confident or body confident to begin.

I definitely wasn’t when I started. Nor am I inherently confident now. But I have developed a lot of performance skills that convey the art of confidence. And I have resilience to know that it will be okay if I don’t perform the best or I haven’t figured it all out. That is the skill I would really encourage any performer to cultivate.

You don't have to eliminate the nerves before you begin. You just have to keep building the evidence that you can do hard things.

And remember, confidence isn't always loud. Sometimes it's simply trusting yourself enough to take up space.

You don’t need to be the best dancer

I joke that I am Tasmania’s “triple threat” - can’t sing, can’t dance and can’t act. And while I may say that jokingly, it is true that you don’t have to be the best dancer to succeed in burlesque. So don’t let the feeling that you have two left feet put you off.

Something I have learnt is that the most spectacular dancers don’t always translate into burlesque superstars. But over time burlesque artists develop performance skills and building the art of anticipation - all without a double pirouette or a high kick in sight!

Take care of the person behind the persona

The stage can be an incredible place to explore different sides of yourself. The stage can be a liberating place, and performing can be exciting. But I would tell my younger self is to take care of your inner self.

You are allowed to have days when you don't feel glamorous. You are allowed to rest. You are allowed to spend time doing things that have nothing to do with burlesque. Doing anything creative takes time and energy. Don’t feel pressure to be constantly ‘on’ or in glamour mode. Enjoy the performing and take the time off when you need. Burlesque isn’t splitting the atom or solving world peace. So make sure you take time for yourself so that it is something you continue to enjoy!

Grace Cherry x

Owner, Miss Kitty’s Meow