Thread: Is a Stage Name Really Needed?

Hello lovelies,

I have a question that I was wondering if you could help me out with, and yes, it is to do with stage names! But I don’t need help to decide on one, what I can’t decide is whether I need one at all.

You see, I am already a performer under my own name (not my username). I’m an actress, and the audience I already have know me by my own name, and I’m fine with that, because I like my name.

So my question is whether I need a stage name for burlesque at all? I understand the concept of keeping things separate, which could be an advantage to me, but it could also get extremely confusing having multiple performer names. If I already put myself out there under my own name, wouldn’t it puzzle people if they knew me by that name and then stumbled across me under another name?

To add to the confusion, I also dabble in modelling. If I have two names, which do I have the photos under? I need promotional photos for acting, but love concept photography, fashion, and I’m starting to do some latex modelling.

To summarise: Do you need a burlesque stage name if you’re already a performer under another name? Does it just get confusing, or should things be kept separate?

My real name is Toria Pardoe, and I am contemplating using Penny Sterling.

What would you do?

Toria (Penny?)
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It's entirely up to you, darling. For the record, I actually prefer your real name - it's beautiful and unique, and will help you stand out among a sea of names. Penny Sterling is nice but it doesn't say anything about you as a performer, and is quite a generic sounding name - there are quite a few other "Penny's" floating about already, too.

Alexandra Hofgartner uses her real name for Burlesque performance: she also does Circus and modelling.

You would have to weigh up the pros and cons of having a pseudonym for Burlesque: It depends entirely on whether you're comfortable with people who know you commercially, also knowing that you do Burlesque (although there's absolutely nothing to be ashamed of! My Grandma regularly comes to watch my shows and loves them! :P )

I act, sing and dance commercially as well as performing as a burlesque dancer - for a while I used a stage name that I took when I graduated from performing arts school, but I found I was getting more and more work as my burlesque name so I re-registered with Equity under that name.
I've recently actually changed my burlesque name again, and re-registered this new one once more!

Anyhoo, the point is that it's your decision - However I would recommend your 'real' name as opposed to your suggested 'burlesque' name.

xx

I agree with Mia, you have a beautiful and evocotive name, and if you're happy to use that as your 'Burlesque' name, then you should. There are a lot of Pennys out there. There are not a lot of Torias.

You have a great name honey and very unique. The only reason I like my stage name is it keep a distance between me and the strange men. I thankfully have managed so far this year not to have any but last year i got lots of strange mails with very strange requests on FB.
Good luck
hugs
Diva x

If you can keep your name and want to totally do it! I never wanted a stage name, sadly my real name is already registered with Equity so I had to go with a nickname. Devastated to be honest.

I've been doing some acting work under my real name recently (tut-tut I know) and the actress with my name is retired now so who knows maybe one day I can go back.

I love your name, its got a lovely sound to it!

xx

Mia has made some very valid points. You really have to add up the pro's and con's really. It is good having a separate name but at the same time there are many performers using their real name which works too. Maybe speak to those performers who use their real name like Alexandra? And see how they've found it? And if it's been an issue?

I think Penny Sterling is a lovely name however it does sound quite generic and there are a few Penny's about. It sounds very cheesecake and cute if that's what you're going for?

Again, I have to agree, your real name is just smashing so if you are happy using it then stick with it. There's nothing to say that you have to have a different name for the purposes of performing Burlesque.
Mia Merode pretty much sums it up nicely but I will add my thoughts into the mix too for what it's worth.

In summary, I am very protective about who I choose to share the innermost workings of my private life with. Therefore, I prefer having a stage name so that I may make a clear distinction between my private and professional life. For me, it keeps it clear cut.
I don't mind sharing the persona of 'Frankie Lynn' with the entire Universe...in fact, that's the point, to share this character with as many people as possible.
The other person however (the one that uses my birth name), well that's a different story. That character is quite recluse, introvert and prefers to skulk around in the shadows un-noticed. That person really doesn't want the whole world to know about them :P

Slightly off-point, but people are always amazed to find out that 'Mikey Wong' isn't some kind of kooky DJ pseudonym - I became Michael Edward Wong when I was about 8 years old haha

Originally Posted by DJ Mikey Wong

Slightly off-point, but people are always amazed to find out that 'Mikey Wong' isn't some kind of kooky DJ pseudonym - I became Michael Edward Wong when I was about 8 years old haha

it makes you wonder why they think its a stage name, though! most people just spend ages staring at you, trying to work out if you are either a) secretly chinese or b) your mum had an affair! (which she did, with simon) x

Thank you everyone for your advice! I’m very grateful. In some ways it seems silly, but I’ve been battling with which way to go name-wise for quite some time now, and it only occurred to me yesterday that I should ask all of you, who have already done it!

Since I already use my name in performance, I have no issues with anyone knowing it.

I think I will most likely stick to Toria Pardoe. I get what you mean about Penny Sterling. It’s cute n’ all, but it’s quite generic. But before I decide for sure I might ask a couple of performers who use their own name, how they’ve found it, like suggested.

It kind of feels like a weight has been lifted and I can stop fussing over it.

Thank you so much!

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