Thread: Newbie needs advice/info!!

Hi, I'm a complete newbie to the Burlesque community but have a dance background & have experience in performance dance/carnivals & stage shows abroad. I'm hoping to make my debut on stage Jan 2010 (scary but exciting!).
Can anyone give me some advice for my first performance as to pay? Should my first performance be a freebie? I have no idea as to what rates the performers get, and although I really am just wanting to get out there & not expecting to earn from this I dont really want to start off on the wrong foot & get ripped off or ruin any earning oppotunities for the future!
Any advice on this or any other newbie info would be greaatly appreciated! Thanks for taking the time out to read my post!
Much Love
Dolly D'Monica xx

PS- Just recently choose my name, I like it but would love feedback on that also! Dont hold back, if you think it's crap, say so! Lol xxx

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I am also newbie in this kind of show, but I would like to help you with your name...
That is good to me but maybe strange to say... maybe too much "d" togethers...
Only that
Regards

Madame Toleave(from Argentine-South América)

The name sounds great!

I would have said be prepared to perform for free, though since you do have other performance backgrounds you could probably leverage that. That said, be prepared to hit the circuit on your own dime!

Thanks for replying! I thought that'd be the case, I wasnt really expecting anything, just wanted to know where I stood as a novice. Now all I have to do is get practicing & hit the stage! Yey!

I would say you will probs have to start off doing free gigs and newbie slots. However, you have a dance background so I am assuming you could be very good. If you rehearse enough, get a nice costume and put together a kick ass routine there is no reason to expect to work for nothing. The problem here is if you wont do it for nothing there are 10 people behind you willing to. I am not a believer in working for nothing, however allot of burlesque shows dont pull in big crowds and the orginiser simply cant afford to pay the acts. I have never perfored for free (apart for charity events). I started off doing corperate events - which pay well and were great experience, this gave me enough time and money to invest in my acts and in turn generated more work. So I dont know, My advise is rubbish! I guess it depends how you go about it and ultamatly what you want from it.

Okay that didnt help one bit. Sorry!

i would never perform for free, and always advise people not to. your first gigs wont be paying the costs of your costume, wigs, props, etc, maybe 15 bucks. they need to show their audience they have good enough entertainment for them to come to the next show, so if they're booking you, they think you're good enough for their audience.
also, always bring your camera. ask a friend or friendly audience member to take video of your performance(s). producers may want to see you perform before booking you. you can also use that footage to watch yourself and see what you need to improve.
but sounds like you've already got a great background to start, good luck!!!
<3

I started off performing for free or for travel expenses...this was to gain experience and stage time etc...however if you have got a lot of dance and performance experience this could work in your favour!

Wow! That's all really good advice, it's really nice to get a few different opinions on this so thank you all very much!
I think as it's been quite a few years since I've done any dance/performing that I'm less likely to get offered any money for my first couple of shows so I'm just going to practice & get my outfits perfect before I hit the stage! I'm still looking to do my first in the new year, maybe Jan/Feb.
I've been offered a spot in a newbie competition in May next year too & also looking into doing the Battle Royale Newcomers Contest at London Burlesque Week in April. May as well completely throw myself in at the deep end & see how I fair eh?!!! If I do any good (fingers crossed!!) then hopefully that'll lead to paid & more high profiled slots?
I cant wait to get out on the stage now, I'm really looking forward to it, I have some great idea's for acts, hopefully I can put them into practice & they'll turn out just as I imagined them!
Thank you all again for the advice, everyone I've spoken to has been so nice & supportive, it's awesome knowing there are so many people out there to help!
Much Love
Dolly xx

P.s I like the name

Thanks Beau, me too! I wasnt sure at first but the 'Dolly' persona has really started to take shape & the possiblities are endless!