Thread: What Makes Someone Qualified To Teach?

I know this has been an ongoing issue for years, but the rise in people with absolutely no credentials who decide to run their own workshops is getting ridiculous.

Do these people not see that be imparting their own (lack of) knowledge to other people, they are doing the following:

1. Wrongfully accepting money for something they are not qualified to do.
2. Further diluting the talent pool - think of all the crap burlesque shows and the countless number of 'legend on their own MySpace' pinup models that have been cropping up recently.
3. Driving down the fees for legitimate performers. Why pay a decent performer what they're worth when you can get ten badly-trained also-rans for the same price or less?

From what I can see, the worst offenders seem to be the people who are fresh out of college. Rather than paying their dues and working their way up the ladder, we're seeing an increasing number of people bypassing this part (which is where the real learning begins) and deciding to either make up their credentials or alternatively deciding they know it all already and have what it takes to teach.

I guess these automatic website building sites have a lot to do with the problem as it now takes about five minutes to whip up a half-arsed online presence and unfortunately this kind of thing fools people who do not know any better.

Over the previous month, we've probably removed ten adverts for workshops which are run by people who in our experience, shouldn't be teaching. Most get back to us to express their indignation and in some cases their anger about how we are 'trying to put them out of business'.

The most common things we hear are (paraphrased):

• "I've just finished my college course, so I'm qualified to teach..."
• "I'm teaching because I'm a fan of burlesque..."
• "I've done a couple of time-for-prints photoshoots, so I'm now expert enough to give others the benefit of my experience..."
• "F**k you MoB, you'll be laughing on the other side of your faces when I've made loads of money..."

We're at a bit of a loss as to what to do.

On the one hand, there are many excellent teachers who have come from either dance, performance or modelling backgrounds who have all paid their dues and have something genuine to offer to students.

On the other hand, there are an increasing number of teachers who seem to have no scruples about offering their own lessons which seem to be copies of other things (just check out how many burlesque teachers run courses which match the chapters in our tutorial DVD for example).

Does MoB still allow people to post their dodgy workshops and leave people to make their own decisions or do we have some sort of accredited list which means that teachers need to satisfy certain criteria in order to post their workshops here.

Do you think that some sort of workshop rating and review section would work or would this turn into a bitch-fest between rivals who would use the platform to discredit others?

I'd be interested in hearing what people think about this matter?

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Last years I booked myself on a six week course of lessons with a localish "international burlesque performer". Looking through the information it looked fantastic, just what I wanted. In reality when I turned up it was a shambles, badly organised, amateurishand with no real substance. I came away for the first 5 lessons (I didn't bother with the last one) having learnt nothing new, £72 lighter and certainly not having learned what I was supposed to! As soon as I saw this person perform I knew I had made a mistake.

The more I become part of the burlesque scene, the more I see people who describe themselves as "International" when they never perform outside of their home town, and who sing their own praises when they are actually not very good at all!

I don't think the time someone has been performing is an aid to being a good teacher, some people have been performing for years and are still not great, and some who have been performing for less than a year are amazing!

I think Burlesque is a very hard thing to teach because it means a different thing to each person. Personally I think it is more important to work on your burlesque persona than to learn a series of dance moves that are the same as the dance moves that everybody else uses (sorry for the sweeping generalisation, but you get my drift). However I am sure there are those who think these classic moves are integeral to a good performance.

I think it also depends what you want to get out of a class/workshop. If you want a few good moves for the bedroom, then a dance based class is just the ticket, if you want to become a really good performer, with an individual style, then perhaps something a little different.

I think it is very important to do your research before you take a class/workshop. And thank you MoB for protecting the newcomers from unscrupulous "teachers".

I think a review system, although a great help, would sadly be too open to bitchyness. Perhaps instead MoB could suggest reputable classes/workshops for various parts of the country?

Hi James,
badly ran workshops are a bugbear for loads of us in the community for all the reasons you listed above and just dilute the scene with unoriginal, unimaginative clones who don't learn anything about the creative process, only how to half-heartedly grind to track 5 of 'Striptease Classics'.

In my opinion, workshops are only worth doing if the person has a really solid dance, performing arts, theatre or whatever training AND heaps of experience in the field or is one of the stalwarts of the genre, someone who really sets the bar for the rest of us. Just having performed for a while or graduated with a performing arts degree last summer doesn't cut it for me. If people are being taught by the creme de la creme of the UK (or elsewhere) scene they stand a good chance of learning something useful. If they are taught by 'Cherry Generic' how to take of a glove 'in a burlesquey way' there's a good chance that the performances they produce will be derivative, boring and their precence on the scene drains rather than boosts burlesque.

However, I do think that by removing people's ads for these crummy workshops you might rile people up unnecessarily and by allowing people to rate them it could allow MoB to become a bitchy battleground.

How about doing the reverse? Rather than stigmatising the bad, what if you made an effort to pubicise the good? Perhaps having a MoB recommended badge, given only to those workshops that are ran by the people who really have something worth teaching. Then on every workshop ad (legit or not) there could be an automatic sticky reminding people that only MoB recommended workshops give people the tools they need to begin on the road to becoming valued and respected performers and to beware of poor quality immitators and bandwaggon jumpers.

Those of us who have been on the scene a while know that a workshop by Red Sarah or BvB or the like will be money well spent as they are respected, high level artistes. But brand newbies may not know who the stars of burlesque are and who are just johnny come latelys trying to make a fast buck. With MoB's guidance you could help people to recongise who is a good investment to take a workshop with and who you would be better off giving a wide berth.

I think the less people learning how to use a glove or feather boa in a 'burlesquey' way and the more people learning about characterisation, narrative, how to hold an audience, the creative process and idea development and the like, the better.

Sorry for the long waffle
x
Emerald

It's a case of being stuck between a rock and a hard place.

• If we have set criteria and are discerning about who is permitted to advertise we will be criticised for nepotism or having some 'personal agenda' against X,Y or Z.
• If we allow anyone to use our site (inevitably includes those selling potentially bogus services), we are criticised for not assessing their worth on behalf of members.

So, as we cannot possibly do right for doing wrong, which would you guys prefer?

Which do you think is more conducive to a growing, strengthening and flourishing scene and industry? I presume that this is what we all want?

We know from experience that we are always going to be subject to petty name calling as we can't possibly please everyone - so we could really do with some perspective here.

Thanks for your time and help people - all thoughts are very welcome.

Ooh, Raspberry, we must have been posting at the same time! You made a point I had forgotten about, people who don't want to perform but just to have a little boudoir fun. In light of that perhaps when people enter their workshop info you could require them to specify whether their workshop is aimed at being hen party/bourdoir/for fun only or whether they plan to teach stagecraft.

If people were obliged to specify then there would be less people disappointed that the class was not what they expected content wise.

I have seen countless 'international/famous/HIGHLY experienced' performers teaching again and again and again. I have seen these highly experienced performers who are only experienced at their own shows. I see the pool of burlesque stars etc being slowly diluted by people who slap on some frilly pants and because they have completed a course with a wannabe teacher they think that entitles them to headliner status. I have seen it and watched it happen. I have had numerous emails from new performers who have recently completed a course at a self proclaimed prestigious school/academy/college etc who think they automatically are better than the girls who have worked their asses off to get to the top.

Some of the girls on the circuit who come out of these courses have very little knowledge of burlesque. I was approached by one student who told me that burlesque was Dita von Teese and so all my acts were just jokes. I dont mind that honey but burlesque is alot more than the stunner that is Dita....

Some classes are good and are taught well but more and more people are jumping on the band wagon and not thinking about what impression they are leaving on the scene. So many of these classes 'offer you the essential skills to be a burlesque star'. But where is the knowledge? where is the diversity? Pretty soon we will be diluted by people immitating Dita and no comedy acts. Ok thats a bit extreme. But it is something that worries me. I have seen some many pretty fan dances and pretty strip teases but show me something new for god sake!

MOB already run their own classes/workshops it *may* not be a good business venture to approve other classes that they have no link with? Call me cynical but...it doesnt make good business sense.
Whilst the Ministry of Burlesque is a great business name there is no official/government recognised burlesque teaching standard that they can award. Mores the pity.

That said we insiders and i suppose veterans of the scene know who we can and cant trust. Its a pity the people wanting to take classes dont research more. Or the 'teachers' sell them a product that is correctly marketed such as 'Feather Frolics For Foxy Feline' to aim at the hen party market. Not 'we will make you a star in 5 short lessons'.

Originally Posted by Khandie Khisses

MOB already run their own classes/workshops it *may* not be a good business venture to approve other classes that they have no link with? Call me cynical but...it doesnt make good business sense.

That's not cynicism that's just good sense

Originally Posted by Khandie Khisses

Whilst the Ministry of Burlesque is a great business name there is no official/government recognised burlesque teaching standard that they can award. Mores the pity.

I think this is why James was suggesting that the community members would rate them - leave us out of it.

But of course, the danger in this scenario is that we would still have to moderate the process to keep it all in the spirit of 'fair comment' and we would inevitably have to censor bitching and stirring - just as we do on the general chatter boards. In moderating this, we'd again be accused of 'censoring the competition' or 'taking sides' or one of the other usual self-important delusions that seem to come out... This is unavoidable in any case so I suppose we'd just have to live with it and get on with things.

This is all really helpful, guys - thank you for your thoughts.

Originally Posted by Kittie

But of course, the danger in this scenario is that we would still have to moderate the process to keep it all in the spirit of 'fair comment' and we would inevitably have to censor bitching and stirring - just as we do on the general chatter boards. In moderating this, we'd again be accused of 'censoring the competition' or 'taking sides' or one of the other usual self-important delusions that seem to come out... This is unavoidable in any case so I suppose we'd just have to live with it and get on with things.

Tis a sticky situation but I think its necessary. HERE HERE for the reviews!!!