Burlesque and the Circus

Everywhere I look lately, Circus themed Burlesque shows are springing up like weeds. I understand the draw....the macabre element....and I have participated in a few circus themed shows, but enough is enough. It's been done, done, and overdone. Played out. In the last year, I've received hundreds of invites to burlesque/circus fusion shows. It no longer feels fresh, nor does it sound like something to leave the house for. Perhaps the barrage of these events has desensitized my mind and eyes to what I might otherwise consider intriguing onstage.

I would like to find the next great untapped genre while the last of the dinosaurs rides the final trend wave back to the deserted, off-season shoreline that awaits them.

There is an amazing performance troupe here in Phoenix  (The Strange Family Circus)  that only does Circus entertainment, and they do it exceptionally well. I prefer to leave this very specialized, incredibly dazzling, fiercely executed art form to these experts.

Always something to learn

   If you were at the last show, many of you may not have noticed, but I had a major costume situation. I could not get out of my costume no matter what I did! Eventually, I freed myself, but I felt robbed of being able to showcase the dramatic moment of reveal. I spent the next few days completely disappointed....all that planning....all the trial and error.....was I back to square one? .....I felt defeated by this costume. Then my assistant who helped dress me prior to taking the stage let me know that she had forgotten to fasten THE key piece of the costume. I felt such relief, and anger (at myself) simultaneously that it's taken me a couple weeks to sort through.
  What I've learned:
   I really am capable of whatever I set my mind and body to
   It's wonderful to have help and support
   I MUST be the final checkpoint for all things prior to stage time
   Never give up, simply continue to perfect