Thread: Advice for my debut

Hey guys,

I have my debut performance coming up at the Tournament of Tease 3rd April and I am looking for a bit of advice really...
I have my music and costume and routine, but now I'm panicking about the little details... like if my music runs too long, or too short (what would you recommend for the length of a performance?), and what format I should take my music on (CD, memory stick, tape!?) and whether or not I should pick up my props and costume before leaving the stage (when I will be wearing very few clothes!) or do I leave them for someone else?!

Eeep! It's silly but the little details are making me fret and get nervous!

Can anyone advise me on any of this?

Thanks!
xx
:help:

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Hi honey
don't panic and try and enjoy it you will be so happy once you have done it. I would advice having one drink to settle your nervous before you go on really helps.
Okay before you go I advice you to film your performance so you can see what the audience sees and then if you need to change anything you can.

Take your music on Cd copy it on to two different ones so if one does not work the other should.

You don't have to pick up your clothes someone is there to do that for you.

Normally when you are on stage for the first time you will race thought the piece so try and keep slow if you look happy and you look like you are enjoying it you will have a great time and so will your audience. Don't panic if something does not come off i have been stuck in stuff a few times its hard but work around it. Your hands may be shaking and you will be hotter than you are when you parctice so things are harder to take off. I suggest velcro and big studs rather than buttons. As for corsets there are some great tips out there of how to take them off I never wear one on stage in fear of getting stuck.

But really enjoy it have fun they are all lovely at Tournament of Tease you will have fun. You do have to walk in through the crowd and back out so I would suggest bringing a rob to slip on to hide your costume and one to cover yourself on the way back to the changing room.
Good luck
Diva x

I'm getting back on the boards after a long time away from them. My nerves are frazzled with antisipation. Dont worry though. Burlesque is fun. If something goes worng just laugh it off and make it part of your routine.

i once slipped on stage and landed on my arse. Disaster right? Nope I flung off my shoe and jumped up and down like a demented dwarf and giggled like an idiot blaming the shoe!

Take two CDs with your music and don't worry about picking up clothes/props - that is the stagehands job - yours is to perform. If your props are not hand held, then the stagehand will need to know where they should be put on the stage, so make a prop list for your act/s. The length of your show is up to you, but I prefer to stick around the 3-minute mark.

Taking off corsets can be quite cumbersome - but there are good techniques. I got some really cheapie corsets from Primark for around £6 late last year. They are absolutely fine for performances where they get chucked on the floor and they are a doddle to take off and they look good, by all accounts too! On steelboned corsets, I have known performers to only use velcro to keep the front done up - and only do up a couple of clasps.

Diva recommends having a drink before you go on stage - but I am the opposite - my advice is don't have a single drink for fear of feeling relaxed!

If there are any performance hitches, remember, the show must go on!

Thank you very much for all your great advice, ladies. I would never have even thought to bring a robe, thats really helpful... and I'll be sure to do 2 cds and just go with theflow if anything goes wrong!

Thanks!!

xx

Hi honey
I bring slipper to just so you don't get your feet mucky in pale stockings. I have also been none to walk home in them after a night of dancing in heels.
Diva x

haha, what a wonderful idea! Achy feet are sure a pain when its a long walk home... I will certainly be using that little gem!
So BGWMC you definately have to walk thru the crowd to get to the stage then?
I'll find me a robe for sure, and have made up two cds of my music, you're all stars for helping me out! x

When I did the tournament of tease at BGWMC there was a little screen thing set up just to the left of the stage, so while the act before you is on, you can slip behind there and wait to be announced, and return there when you've finished. As has already been said, the main thing is to enjoy yourself. The audience are there wanting to have a good time, so just go with it! The other thing is that on the two occasions I performed there it always started much later than was advertised, so don't be suprised if you have to wait around for a while before you're on.

And good luck!

Remember to have lots of fun, everyone is very supportive, have a drink for dutch courage and just keep going through what you have to do in your head. Hope it goes fabulously for you! xxxx

Thanks for all your support, kind words and advice ladies!

xxx

:hug: