Catch up with Velvet Butterfly - Developing your burlesque persona
One of the most exciting things I have done this year that has probably gone a bit unseen, is the testing of a new Act Development course. Kind of a cross between a burlesque workshop and coaching session, this course started off about 6 months ago with the aim of helping a small number of new and emerging performers develop a solo performance for the end of year Burlesque Graduation Showcase.
One of the performers that signed up, that made me super thrilled, is Velvet Butterfly.
No complete newbie to the stage, Velvet has made a solo performance in 2020 and has performed in a number of student routines.
It has definitely been an amazing journey, and catching up with Velvet it has been interesting to hear how she has found her way . She told me that initially “ performing wasn’t on my radar. I was just happy to get through each class without tripping over my own feet!
However, by the end of term, I had fallen in love with the routine and felt so supported and welcomed by the class that I decided to get up on stage and perform in the group routine. After performing in a few student group routines I felt confident and inspired enough to try a solo.”
Everyone gets interested in burlesque in different ways, and I challenge any burlesque performer not to have been influenced by Dita von Teese! Velvet agrees,
” Like many performers, I first discovered burlesque through Dita Von Teese. I was in high school and had stumbled across the pin-up culture and fashion scene on the internet which eventually led me to Dita. I was instantly enamoured. It would be many years later until I took the plunge and signed up for a class, but I credit Dita for starting it all.”
From getting that first initial taste of burlesque to stepping onto the stage, Velvet reflected on how challenging it is to step out of the group routine’s shadow and into the solo spotlight
“ (performing solo) means that everyone is looking at me and only me. There are no other group members to distract the audience. This is both exhilarating and slightly terrifying.”
I agree with Velvet that stepping out of that comfort zone can be a big challenge. When I started performing it was in a trio and there is definitely some ‘safety in numbers’ about doing that.
It’s also hard, I think, to start to mentally create space to do something just for yourself.
“…the biggest challenge I’ve faced has been creating the mental space needed to develop a routine. Sometimes my brain just isn’t in a creative mood and so I have had to come up with a few little hacks to encourage it, said Velvet.
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you have friends that do burlesque, ask them for feedback on your routine. If you need help to create a costume and have a friend who sews, ask if you can get together and have a fun sewing day. You bring the snacks; they bring the skills! Velvet Butterfly would not be who she is without the help of her friends.
““There’s never going to be the perfect time to debut your first solo. You can spend so much time being wrapped up in your head trying to perfect it, that you put off performing. Don’t do this. Just get out on stage and give it a go! Also, don’t go chasing perfection, there is no such thing” ”
Making sure the routine also is developed so it reads well on stage is really challenging for newer performers, outside the comfort of having choreography done for you. Velvet told me that a real challenge is “making sure that there is some stillness in the routine. This is important to take a breather, to add some light and shade to the routine, and also just to show off your fabulous costume that you have spent weeks adding rhinestones to.”
I am really thrilled to see Velvet show off this new routine! I have had the privilege of having a preview, and it is an amazing contrast to her first act “Criminal” which had a very Jessica Rabbit vibe to it.
You can follow Velvet Butterfly on Instagram and check out her progress @velvetbutterflyburlesque
See Velvet Butterfly on stage at Burlesque Graduation Showcase
Saturday 20 November
Peacock Theatre, Salamanca Arts Centre.
Doors open 6pm | Tickets $30 - $40