So I’m taking these burlesque classes. Last week’s assignment was to find a song. I have the song.
Now… if you’ve ever seen a burlesque performance, the best and most fun of them all have a ‘theme’ that dictates the costuming and the character portrayed by the dancer.
Here’s an example or two.
I’m having trouble coming up with something to portray. I love my song, it’s the right length, it’s got enough bounce, but with enough dynamic slow bits to make for interesting pauses and such…
I just need a character.
SO… this is the part where I need help, and the part where there might be something in it for you.
Put your suggestions for a character to dance, and any costuming ideas, or ‘mini-story’ ideas for the song in the comments for this post. If your suggestion is what I choose to use… then when I eventually dance this locally, I’ll make sure you get free admission to the show. (Even if I have to pay for it myself.)
This accomplishes a few things. 1. I get a bunch of ideas for the theme for this bit. (And maybe ideas for future themes.) 2. If I choose one (which I probably will because I’m too lazy to come up with my own) I have committed myself to making sure there is a show locally. 3. I will also have committed myself to performing in said show rather than just standing on the sidelines while facilitating it. 4. You get a free show, of more than just me, since if there IS a show, there will be at least one other person in it. Perhaps more.
As I see it… win-win (and win, and win).
So here’s the song, Really Wanted You by Emmit Rhodes. Give it a listen, free your mind, and help me come up with a fun and cute, or alternately saucy and smoldering, character to don while performing the tease.
These are the lyrics, in case that matters to you:
Billy knocked two teeth out
Got five stitches in the chin
I was dying inside babe
I don’t mind the pain
When I needed someone
Tell me who came along
I was hoping you’d come
Cause I really wanted you
Yes I really wanted you
I was sleepless till dawn
With a heart breaking down
I’ve been lonely too long
Cause I really wanted you
Yes I really wanted you
Billy knocked two teeth out
Got five stitches in the chin
I was dying inside babe
I don’t mind the pain
Well the moon starts to yawn
With every morning sun
Now the darkness is gone
Cause I really wanted you
Yes I really wanted you for so long
April 8th, 2008 - 4:30 am
American Idol contestant Amanda Overmyer. Do the hair, the funky rock costume, have at it.
April 8th, 2008 - 8:14 am
Lets see here
I see a beautiful woman, cig in her mouth, briefcase in her other hand trying to call for a cab on Broadway in New York city.
When her usual and customary ways of hailing one fail, she decides to use her feminine ways to catch the eye of a cabby……..
P.S. where do you take classes for this- I am interested (not in performing, but in the classes!)
April 8th, 2008 - 12:24 pm
Cool song…I got more of a honky tonk kinda thang from it. A little Trailer a little Urban Cowgirl - Alone in the Bedroom. That’s the idea from moi.
April 8th, 2008 - 2:19 pm
I dare you to get ME tickets.
I listened to the song and typed at the same time. Here’s what I typed (after fixing all of the typos). I hope it makes sense:
Heavy dark make-up under your eyes. Pale your skin as much as possible. Tease your hair in all directions.
Wear tattered clothes. Maybe clothes that had once been a ball gown or something formal.
Give a blank zombie bug-eyed stare the whole time.
Use stiff movements at first until the first “soooooooooooo” in the song.
Then fluid movements that, now and then, get stiff like the creature is trying to come out, come top life.
End the dance on the floor, motionless.
Silly?
April 8th, 2008 - 7:30 pm
Hey, I don’t know how to do this dance. You do. Besides, no one else was asked about when you get your clothes off.
I shall answer it as I would whenever a woman asks me that question. Anytime you want.
P.S. - I’ve never been asked that question before, but that would be my answer from now on.
P.P.S. - FILM IT!
April 9th, 2008 - 12:33 pm
you wanna teach the classes let me know where to sign up!
April 16th, 2008 - 3:58 pm
Well….for some reason, I’m kinda seeing one of two scenes:
1. Jessica Rabbit kinda torch singer, and a private eye.
or
2. Saloon Girl and Gambling man
April 18th, 2008 - 1:59 pm
I see an old western saloon “girl”. Really, their outfits are just fun…
May 7th, 2008 - 4:44 pm
hey there! i’m the one featured in the first video you used… that was my debut! my how things have changed.
anyways, i often find that as much as a song appeals to me, i can’t proceed with it until i strike the right chord for making it story-driven.
my suggestion for this would be to do a back and forth sort of act, where you appeared to have the bruises and perhaps a scar on the chin like in the song… and then you faught with yourself about taking some painkillers. get a really big bottle and go to open it- then when he sings “i don’t mind the pain” push it away. flirt with the bottle as well as the audience.
anyways, it’s just a suggestion.
hope everything works out! where are taking classes? feel free to email me.