Thread: I already have fallen in love with this world but---Should I even try?

Hello, I find this whole world so amazing! I think that its just such abeautiful way to not only show femininity but to slap someone in the face withit. I want so much to be a part of this theatre and to perform on stage, butI'm a little worried about one thing. I have a good lot of self-inflictedscars---as in they are obviously self-inflicted---on my upper thigh. I love tobelly dance and can usually get around this with slit skirts that go up theother thigh, but burlesque seems to be a lot about showing more skin than thatso I'm wondering if it is even feasible for me to try to perform. Is thereanyone out there who knows of a way I can hide them? or should I make a gimmickout of it? or will it even be noticeable on stage? or should I only take classesfor myself and forget about being on stage?

Also, any recommendations on costuming or lessons in the San Francisco/PaloAlto would be great, thanks a lot for the help.

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Hello Cherri,

There are a number of ways to go about reducing the appearance of scars on stage. Stage make up for one is incredible, use a decent body foundation and you'll be able to cover up most discolouration. The easiest way however is to wear nude tights underneath your costume, a good pair of support tights will also smooth out any lumpy scars and make them harder to notice. If the scarring is very bad, you can combine these techniques for a flawless finish. It just takes some practice with blending the foundation and finding the right tights for you.

Although i do not believe you should be ashamed of your scars, i would suggest avoiding making a gimmick of it. my point is not so much about stigma, although you would be confronted by some of that sooner or later i'm sorry to say, but simply that when you're performing your audience shouldn't be distracted from the beauty of your act, that covers everything from labels poking out of undies to runs in stocking, to the odd bruise we pick up hauling suitcases around, and to body scarring. People should be enthralled by what you're doing, the story or emotion that you're projecting, you can do this better by not distracting their eye.

There are a number of performers in similar situations to you honey, your body is yours, love it, never be ashamed of it. Best of luck, i hope you love your burlesque experience!

Sev x

Thank you very much for the advice and the encouraging words!

I read this a few hours ago...and I stumbled on it again now realising what you put as the subject: 'Should I even try?' and it made me sad that you were at first even questioning actually doing it (not just asking for advice to cover the scars)

From one ex-self harmer to another, YES, yes you should. DO NOT let your past influence your future. It's gone, it's happened, it was a part of who you were and has made you who you are today. You are now a strong individual, strong enough to want to perform your heart out! So do it!

Burlesque is not about sitting there as an audience member going oooh look at those flabby bits, minging stretchmarks, fake tits, omg she cut herself... and whoever is like that should get shunned for being a judgemental bigot.

We're all individual and you should be proud of your body, because it is all yours and life happens

To me, my scars are a positive thing. They remind me that I got through that shit, I came out the other end and now I love my life. I tend to forget they are there until somebody notices them because they are 10 years old. But they are apart of me and my body archeology, my intimate history, so I know I should never be ashamed of them.

So, GO FOR IT! And let us all know how you get on,

D x

Thanks so much for your encouragement, I really appreciate it. It means a lot and I'm definately going for it!

Of course you should go for it if it's something you love and, hey, you've got a head start with being able to bellydance already. Wishing you well and lots of luck with getting started!

Thank you very much!

hi
you can get specialist scar foundation from the chemist and if you can persuade your dr that it is causing your emotional well being to be effected ( obviously it is or you wouldn't be worrying) then they should give it to you on prescription. you can get it in a variety of shades now. i use it on a large scar i have on one of my breasts that i had skin cancer removed from, and it matches my skin tone wonderfully.
i would go to classes to build up your confidence before you step out on to the stage but by all means do not allow something that you needed to do in the past effect your future, speaking both as a therapist, a relative newbie on the burlesque seen and as a someone with body issues around scaring, you should not be ashamed of your past it is what made you who you are, you can only lern from it and make informed decisions baced on how you have internalised it, i found that classes increased my comfidence, doing low key events with the girls i formed a bond with in class allowed me the confidence to get up there and do it, now i love it and never want to get off the stage.
try it if you dont like it no one is going to make you do it again but you will know what the correct decision for you is
hope my rambling helps xxx

thanks, I'll look into that!

Hey lovely!

Dermablend is your best friend! It's fantastic! It's a really thick body foundation that will cover bruises, scars, marks, cuts, tattoo's etc really well! I've recently been introduced into it and it's fantastic. I bruise like a peach and it's great show-wise to cover all those horrible purple patches so they're not obvious in photo's. It's not stupidly expensive either, it's about £15 a bottle and they do it in different skin tones too so you have one to match. It's an american product. x