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Missed Part One? That’s okay – check out what I wrote about “Aspects” of building your burlesque persona!
As a new performer or even as a seasoned performer the grand concept of the world being your oyster (and it is) can well, …well it just might leave you dumfounded about what you want to be when your burly self grows up. That wide open “Be what you want to be!” door directive of burlesque may prompt a deer in headlight response rather than opening the floodgates of creativity.
Here’s a way past that “Now what?” perpetual blinking stage.
So – you’ve decided to perform burlesque. Maybe you’ve taken a class or done a student show case. Maybe you’ve been performing small gigs or you are a part of an established troupe or you’ve been at this professionally for a while… what ever your level of experience I believe this topic can be useful for everyone. Even the Queens of Burlesque.
Celebrity Mash Up
We’re about to identify your personal muses, your patron saints of burlesque, your personal guides through the sparkly mists, the footlights and the spotlights!
Grab paper and a writing utensil. Write this down.
I believe writing it down makes a difference. Somehow seeing the names on paper help you know when you’re on the right track.
So, I want you to think of celebrities.
Understand that I use celebrities to mean ANYONE who’s got *PERSONALITY*.
Maybe this is your grandmother – who was a stay at home mom her entire life who and has the quickest wit and the meanest two-step you ever did see. Could also be Doris Day, Liberace, Angelina Jolie, Alan Cumming, Super Woman, James Dean, Barbie, Tank Girl, Marilyn Monroe. You get the idea. Doesn’t matter your gender identity or theirs. These could be real or imagined people, dead or alive. If you have a strong image of who they are and something about them inspires you – they could be a candidate for your Celebrity Mash Up.
Now…Quick! Don’t think too much – jot three names down of celebrities whose personality inspires you.
We’re talking about burlesque here – so perhaps someone’s humanitarian efforts inspire you – that’s not likely what we are looking for.
Who looks fabulous on the runway? Always? Who would you like to emulate? Who moves the way you want to move? Who has a fabulous laugh, wink, smile? Who exudes sex? Confidence? Humor? What ever it is that you think you might want to exude on stage – who’s got that mojo in place? Write their name down.
I’ll wait.
(Less thinking…more writing.)
K.
Now, these first three you’ve written down may or may not be our final contenders but the ideas are flowing now so that’s fine.
Here are mine:
- Lucille Ball
- Cyd Charisse
- Lauren Bacall
Picture Time!
Next – read on and then hit up Google Images and do a search for their name. IMDb can also be helpful for this part. So this part can be a lot of fun and can take quite a while to find just the right images. And you need JUST the right images to really make this work.
Maybe you are thinking of Carrie-Anne Moss for your inspiration… but are you thinking:
Sexy tousled JBF hair Carrie-Anne Moss….or…
Trinity from the Matirx I’ll kick your ass Carrie-Anne Moss….or…..
Or maybe it’s prim and proper circle skirt and a cardigan Carrie-Anne Moss from Chocolat…?
It makes a difference.
Don’t just say Marilyn Monroe and grab any old picture of her. Pick the RIGHT ONES. The ones that make you all tingly inside.
She/he is about to loan you their mojo – make sure you pick a photo where their all stocked up and overflowing!
Here’s what I found for my three Patron Saints of Inspiration:
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Last time I told you to try on your aspects:
Try them on the same why you’d try a new pair of shoes…or a costume. How do they make you walk? Move? Sing? Dance?
Do the same thing with your Celebrities. Here’s How:
Pick a number – any number that you’ve been contemplating, developing, refining or performing. And ask yourself:
What would ______ do with this number?
I would say:
How would Lucille Ball perform this number? Cyd Charisse? Lauren Bacall?
If I were watching Lauren Bacall smolder…what would it look like? …now do THAT.
How would Cyd open this number?
Try their persona on just like a costume. How do they make you walk? Move? Sing? Dance? Tease? Flirt? Strip?
Lucille Ball is gorgeous AND hysterical. I love her facial expressions and physical comedy.
I pretend I can dance like Cyd Charisse. It’s as simple as that. I love the SHAPES her body makes. I try to find those dramatic shapes in my body.
Lauren Bacall as incredible Film Noir stillness. She’d never shrink from a spotlight and she can hold her space like a lioness. Yes please I’ll have some of that. *growl*
What do I want to project on stage?
Sensuality,humor, strength.
Wait…what were my aspects?
Ah yes:
Glamorous, Awkward, & Sparkly
Lucille Ball: Awkward…and glamorous…AND sparkly
Cyd Charisse: Glamorous and sparkly
Lauren Bacall: Glamorous
So – why pick three when Lucille Ball could have summed it all up for me?
Flavor. Texture. I’m not just one thing… I’m like Shrek. I’m on onion. I have layers. And so do you!
So – sock it to me! Post here and tell me who your Celebrity Mash Up is! Link us to photos! Share your aspects!
Have fun and play! If you try on a personality and it doesn’t inspire you don’t sweat it – ditch it and try another one. You’ll know when it clicks.
MWAH!
Sweet Louise
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Tags: Alan Cumming, Burlesque Hall of Fame, Celebrity, Do it yourself, Doris Day, Google Images, Inspiration, Kansas City Missouri, Lucille Ball, Marilyn Monroe, superheroes, Sweet Louise
Sweet Louise 