Oh, The Glamourous Life!

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

When removing garments, position the removal downstage.

You want the audience to see you remove the garment, so you should avoid blocking the action with your body. On the other hand, if you’re trying to remove something more covertly, turn it upstage.

I am clearly lacking in performance photographs* because this photo by RDJ After Dark is the only picture I could find even close to illustrating this tip, and you can’t see the stocking I am removing from my downstage leg because black on black…

Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 7 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page.

*If you happen to have any performance photos of me or my troupemates, let me know!

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! I’m at the Pennsylvania Burlesque Festival this weekend, but I wouldn’t forget your tip!

Wear a watch when you teach.

A good class is well paced. Keeping an eye on the time ensures that you don’t have to rush through or run out of material. Of course, you can never guarantee that an unfamiliar classroom or studio is going to have a clock. But wait, you say, my phone has a clock. Yes, but you have to periodically run over and poke it to see the time display, which can break the flow of class. A wrist watch allows for a subtle time check. And it can be a charming fashion accessory as well as a useful tool.

Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page.

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Tomorrow is the Mini BurlExpo! Will I see you there? Here’s your tip!

To remove deodorant streaks from clothing, gently rub them with a nylon stocking.

Every once in a while it happens, you look smashing except for those white streaks that have mysteriously appeared on your lovely frock. I don’t know about you, but for me they always seem to end up right on my bust. Oops…

Just grab a stocking and gently rub the mark away. No need to use water! Dryer sheets also work, but how often do you have one of those in your boudoir (or backstage). As when dealing with any stain, don’t scrub — rub gently, with a circular motion, until the mark is gone.

Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page.

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

Meet your deadlines.

Even better, beat your deadlines!

Nobody likes having deadlines hanging over their head! Unfortunately, sometimes the reaction is to panic and ignore them, which is the worst thing one could do.

Deadlines are a cascading thing. You need to send your music to the producer. The producer needs to get the music to the audio person. The audio tech needs to check the music file and get everything properly set up for the show. One break in the chain causes failures down the line. Scrambling at the last minute is no fun for anyone.

Do what you need to do to make sure those deadlines aren’t forgotten. Maybe that’s a reminder on your phone (there’s plenty of apps out there to help with scheduling). Maybe it’s a big note on the calendar hanging over your desk. You know how fond I am of appointment books.

Whatever method you use, meet those deadlines. It feels so good to mark that item as “done”!

Like this tip? There are lots more in Miss Mina Murray’s Little Book of Better Burlesque.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 7 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page.