Dear Constant Reader,
For bureaucratic reasons to tedious to delve into The Thalia needs to under go major renovations and as with all things bureaucratic it involves much red tape. The upshot is, we haven’t been able to use the space since the end of June and we have no idea when they’ll even get the building permits needed, let alone permission to reopen.
For the past two months we’ve been moving from one rented studio to another to rehearse and discovered there’s a need for studio space in the Boston area. So many places we tried were booked solid! After intense searching, we found a new studio space and signed a lease on Friday!
It’s right in Kenmore Square, spitting distance from the T station and, if there’s no Sox game, there’s a lot of on-street parking.
The space is a former office and is going to need some (that is, A LOT) of work to be exactly what we want. Eventually, there will be two large studios perfect for rehearsals, lessons, photography, meetings, readings, whatever your artistic endeavor. We also have two small offices with their own entrance just right for a small business.
Here’s the space we’re calling Studio A before we did any work:
But a fresh coat of paint makes everything look better!
The next day we added mirrors. They still need to be hung on the wall, but tonight’s Introduction to Burlesque class can see themselves!
And then a few touches to make it feel more like home. Here’s Electrix and Scratch hanging some of our artwork.
Next project is to lay a dance floor! Right now the floor is carpet, which is serviceable, but not ideal. We also want to do something about the unflattering lighting. Eventually we’re going to have to tackle the major renovation in Studio B, which involves thing like taking down walls and putting in a kitchenette.
Follow along as we continue to improve!
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I looked all over for a blouse with the right look and just found nothing. I ended up grabbing the blouse from my “Li’l Red Riding Hood” act, but while it has the right shape, it’s a sturdy white cotton and didn’t blend so well with the lacy skirt. Fortunately, I still had some of the two kinds of lace I used to make the skirt. I used it to make a big collar, like Gypsy had in some iterations of her costume. It helped tie things together, and since it was just pinned in place, I can easily transfer it to a more appropriate blouse once I find or make one.
Photos by Sarah Kietzman
Everyone brought an act on which they wanted to work. During the first two days we each presented our act and got feedback. On the last day we all presented again, showing how we incorporated the suggestions (a couple showed different acts instead). I was in the first group to present. I was nervous, but glad to get it over with early. I brought my newest act, which had just debuted in December (photo by George Ross of me performing it at The Expo). I thought it was pretty solid, but needed some oomph. After I showed it, Michelle made some very good suggestions, but I felt like I had to burn the whole thing down and start all over. The element I was using as a hook to hang the whole act on had to go.
On our very last morning, Michelle gave everyone handwritten cards. It was a sweet touch and made the whole time even more special. This is a treasure I’ll return to when I need encouragement. 
Scratch gave us all silver and rhinestone initial letter necklaces, for times we want to be more subtle than our classic rhinestone name necklaces. Devastasia, queen of snacks, gave us bundles of fancy treats, including some lovely dark chocolate. D.D. made everyone glitter-laden body lotion (and an unglittered version for the guys). Artemisia gave us very pretty bath bombs. Brigitte selected truffles from the oldest candy company in America. Betty made us all gorgeous matching fascinators (except the guys who got rhinestones ties). She made me a special one with a band instead of a comb like everyone else, since things tend to slide out of my fine hair.
They’ll be helping out on our upcoming show 
Oh, The Glamourous Life! 