Incorporating props into your burlesque act

So what is a prop anyway?

The good old reliable, Wikipedia, reckons that a prop is “a portable object other than furniture or costumes used on the set of a play or film.”

Props are used in burlesque for so many reasons.

To add drama or create visual splendor to a routine.

To have something to work and play off.

To add extravagance or that extra ‘gimmick’ to you routine.

The big props

We often think props we think giant martini glass popularised by Dita Von Teese and Catherine D’lish.

Some of our superstar performers have also used some pretty iconic imagery in their routines.

• Roxi D’Lite and her giant X

• Dirty Martini and her spiderweb

• Immodesty Blaize and her rocking horse

Aand of course aerial apparatus is often used to display skill, technique and that ‘wow’ factor.

If you have the money to invest, these giant props can be pretty spectacular.

It’s true that it can really add the WOW factor.

The downside?

The cost (obviously). 

The storage of the item.  Transporting it to and from shows.  And having venues that are optimised to showcase your prop.

You also need to consider the cost this might add to your booking fee and if that is something a producer or client can accommodate.

I say this with unnerving confidence given that this isn’t something that I’ve ever really had firsthand experience with. I had one large-sih prop that I used once for Miss Burlesque Tasmania  - but that  I sold pretty promptly afterwards.

I have found that overall the expense was out of my grasp. And ultimately a lot of the venues I work with just wouldn’t have capacity to stage an act with a large scale prop.

If you are committed to this journey I would really recommend working with someone that can help disassemble your prop so that it is easier to store, and set up. It’s also important that you really do a cost-benefit analysis and make sure that the ‘wow’ factor will ultimately pay for itself in bookings and the price you can charge for your performances.

Smaller props

 So we’ve covered off on the big investment pieces.

What about the rest? 

One of my students asked the very good question recently, - what sort of props work best? Or when should you use them.

It’s kind of a ‘how long is a piece of string’ response.

Your interpretation of your act, your music and your aesthetic is really up to you as an artist.

But I think there are some things you can always think about.

• Is it essential to your act? Does it add value? Interest? Impact

• Does the style fit your era or theme ?

• Can it add visual interest or extra elements to your act?

I think its important to think about how a prop helps your act.

For example, incorporating a simple chair might lend you the opportunity to support yourself physically, or allow you to show your physique or flexibility.  This could also add drama, dimension and skill to a performance.

Incorporating feather fans often allows you to reference a particular style of burlesque or to play with framing your face and body.

Something simple even like a top hat or a cane, can add visual interest and add some dimension to your choreography.

What you just have to consider is how you can use your prop to its maximum effect.

I always think there is little point in picking up a boa, if you throw it away after using it for 20 seconds.

But when this becomes a feature of your act, or is used for key tricks or visual stimulation – it can be really exciting! I have seen a lot of ‘em but a good boa act never gets too old for me!

What props are you working with? Do you find it challenging – or does it actively help you in your choreography?