As incredible producer, mentor and powerhouse performer Domino de Jour says, you must find a reason for competing that isn’t about winning. And for me, it was about being vulnerable and unbridled on a big stage, and sending a strong and intentional message about who I am as a performer to the audience.
‘No, I didn’t win. But at least I didn’t make any new friendships.’ - April Ludgate
It may or may not surprise you to know I am not good at sport. In between pretending I was Ariel from the Little Mermaid in my yard (and no, I did not have a pool), I was a dance kid. It’s a surprise to me now to see the thing I did as a kid, Physical Culture, described as a team-based sport. I often describe it as a combination of jazz ballet, aerobics, and beauty pageants. It's responsible for my love of big hair, makeup, leotards, and spray tracksuits, my aversion to fake tan, and history of competing in dance competitions.
I wanted to challenge myself to grow as an artist and push myself to create elevated acts to set criteria.
For a long time, my only chance to perform my own acts or routines was in competitions. And while I loved it, once I had the opportunity to perform without a competitive element it felt so liberating. I’d grown so used to seeing winning as the focus of a competition that I had let the outcome determine my worth as a performer.
I was hesitant to re-enter the world of competitions because of the overwhelming feelings that came along with it. But then I watched Mx Burlesque in 2022 and rather than feeling like it would all be too much, I felt inspired by the performances. And for the first time I wanted to enter a competition with no thoughts of winning. I wanted to challenge myself to grow as an artist and push myself to create elevated acts to set criteria.
Mx Burlesque Australia (formerly Miss Burlesque and Mr Boylesque) is a statewide competition for established Burlesque performers. The competition comprises three categories: Red Carpet, Striptease and Unique. Red carpet is a way to introduce yourself to the audience, striptease is about some of the fundamentals of burlesque (i.e. teasing an audience with strategic costume removal), and Unique is an exploration of different styles of burlesque performance. Mx Burlesque Australia’s aim is to “uphold the rich history of the art of striptease while advancing modern performance art in the neo-burlesque revival.”
I set myself small goals along the way: plan acts, apply, get in, do my best work. Not only that, but to enjoy the process if I did get in: of meeting the other finalists, working on my acts, and focusing on how best to express myself to an audience. It was a lovely experience, but not easy by any means. And not without a sneaky panic attack (or ten). I also didn’t do any of it alone; there are so many people who helped me in ways big and small.
Not to brag (I do mean to brag), but I crushed it.
The goal of entering Mx Burlesque Victoria 2023 was to create something new, entertaining, and most of all have fun. As our incredible producer, mentor and powerhouse performer Domino de Jour says, you must find a reason for competing that isn’t about winning. And for me, it was about being vulnerable and unbridled on a big stage, and sending a strong and intentional message about who I am as a performer to the audience.
And use more rhinestones and press studs than ever before.
Not to brag (I do mean to brag), but I crushed it. While not perfect or smooth as I would have liked, I am incredibly happy with what I put out there for the audience and judges. No mean feat, as I could barely make eye contact with the judges for fear of subjecting them to an uncomfortable level of fangirling.
Some things I've learned from competing in the Olympics of Burlesque that might help you:
• Plan, plan, plan: the big day will arrive so quickly, so have a plan for what, how and when you will do things. But also;
• Be prepared for the plan to go out the window: nothing will go as perfectly as you think in the planning stage or on the day, so do be prepared for something to change last minute
• Think about who you are and what you do: this is your chance to think about the story you want to tell over three different categories and how you want to connect with an audience
• Ask for help: I guarantee you cannot do this alone. Ask for help with costumes, seek a coach or mentor to help with your act creation, reach out to your fellow finalists, get a hype crew around you.
• Get a mentor: I highly, highly recommend seeking a burlesque mentor to help you. This is an opportunity to refine your craft, push yourself, and grow as a performer. A mentor will be able to guide you through that process. Bonus if they’ve previously competed as they understand the journey you’re on.
• Read EVERYTHING you’re given: there will be information sessions, information packs, advice, and multiple ways to connect with the producers and finalists so use it all. And if nothing else, at least read the criteria. Not only will it mean you follow the rules, but it will also provide you with an overarching structure for your acts and your red carpet.
• Enjoy the process: it can be daunting to do a big performance competition like this, but it’s also a lot of fun. Enjoy all the moments in the lead-up to the big day, but also enjoy the day itself. It goes so quickly, so saviour it all.
• Do absolutely nothing the next day: I mean it. You'll be exhausted. Treat yourself.
I hope the competition or even the above inspires you to consider applying. And if you want to tell me how much I inspired you to apply, please do. I need praise.
No, I didn’t win. But unlike April Ludgate I did make new friendships and deepened already established connections.