Workshop: Burlesque for all Genders

Amsterdam School of Burlesque presents: Workshop Burlesque for all genders

There is space for all bodies and esthetics in Burlesque, a.k.a The Art of Tease.

We traditionally associate burlesque with hyper-feminine performers and poses, but did you know that burlesque artists have always played with gender? Lydia Thompson is considered one of the precursors of burlesque. Her shows featured costumes and cheeky lines but also cross-dressing women. In the haydays of burlesque, transgender performers like Marinka and male performers like Bic Carol were sharing international stages with Gypsy Rose Lee. Nowadays, queer, transgender, non-binary and gender-fluid performers are present on every international burlesque stage. The iconic Lou Henry Hoover won the award for Best Boylesque back in 2017 at the most important burlesque event in the world, the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender.

What we will do

In this workshop, we will explore what burlesque looks and feels like for people of all genders. We will begin with a quick history of burlesque and in particular gender-play and the presence of male, trans- and non-binary bodies in this art form. We will then warm up our bodies with simple but fun moves. We will learn the basis of burlesque tease and practice how this could look when interpreted differently. Finally we will practice these moves until you find what feels good for your body. All the moves can be modified to suit you and no dance experience is required. This is not a cross-dressing or drag workshop, but a movement workshop about finding sexy, empowering moves that work for you just as you are.

For who

If you are interested in learning how to tease, but don’t see yourself in hyper-feminine burlesque references, this workshop is for you. If you are a feminine burlesque performer who wants to expand your burlesque vocabulary, this is also for you. In fact, this workshop is for everyone, of all genders and dance experience.

What to wear

Please wear clothes that you feel comfortable in and that give you freedom of movement. Bring one item with sleeves and a front opening, this could be a kimono, a bathrobe, a man’s jacket, a cardigan, anything that suits your mood and is easy to remove. This will be the only element of clothing we will remove in class. Shoes are not necessary.