Making This Bit of Burlesque Sexy: Tech, Communication & Being a Dream to Book
Making This Bit of Burlesque Sexy: Tech, Communication & Being a Dream to Book
Burlesque is glamour, tease, sparkle, and fantasy.
It might also look like … spreadsheets, file formats, sound cues, and emails that actually get replied to.
If you’re a newer performer, you might be concentrating more on your tassels than this part. So many of us learn the hard way: last-minute deadline-surfing panic, awkward tech rehearsals, or becoming known as “that performer” who didn’t quite have their shit together.
Oh hey honey 👋🏼 - here I am to change that.
Whether you’re new to performing or a producer reading this thinking please let the next cast be easier, let’s talk about the unsexy but essential art of professional tech arrangements and communication.
Why Tech & Communication Matter More Than You Think
From a producer’s perspective, a performer who communicates clearly is a gift.
From a performer’s perspective, solid tech prep means:
your act looks how you intended
you feel calmer backstage
you’re more likely to be rebooked
Burlesque isn’t just about performance - it’s about collaboration.
As Fleur du Mal of Bad Flower Burlesque Revue in Derby spoke about on her Instagram post:
“Once you're part of the show, you'll need to communicate with your producer to make sure all of your (and their) tech needs are met.”
That’s not about being rigid or corporate. It’s about mutual respect.
What Producers Actually Need From You
If you only take one thing from this blog, let it be this:
Whilst mystical, marvellous creators and facilitators of stage magic
producers are not mind readers.
At minimum, you should be ready to provide:
1. Your Music – Properly Labelled
MP3 or WAV unless otherwise specified
File name: PerformerName | ActTitle
None of this “track_final_final_USETHISONE.mp3” nonsense.
Upload via Google Drive, WeTransfer, or Dropbox – don’t bury it in WhatsApp.
2. Clear Tech Notes
Even if your act feels simple to you, you need to spell it out:
Do you need a mic? (Headset, handheld, stand?)
Any blackout, spotlight, or colour preferences?
Props that require space, setup, or warning
Bullet points are your friend, my friend.
3. Act Length & Content Notes
Producers need to know:
approximate duration
nudity level
any audience interaction
anything potentially triggering or unusual
This is about ethical programming, not censorship.
Boundaries, Consent & Professionalism (Yes, This Matters)
This is where my background as a sex coach, yoga teacher, and speaker comes in.
I work with bodies, nervous systems, and consent for a living. The same principles apply on stage and backstage:
clarity reduces anxiety
expectations prevent harm
communication is an act of care
Being professional doesn’t make you boring.
It makes you safe, trusted, and guess what? Rebookable.
Systems That Make You Look Like a Pro (Even If You’re New)
You don’t need fancy software – but smart basics really do razzle the dazzle.
A simple website
A single page with your bio, acts, images, and contact details instantly boosts credibility (and yes, producers do Google you).
A shared folder
Keep your music, tech rider, photos, and bio in one Google Drive folder you can reuse.
Automations (light touch!)
Even simple tools can help you:
send confirmation emails
share files consistently
avoid last-minute scrambling
These systems don’t remove your personality - they support it.
Yes, I can talk with authority about this because as well as flingin' my clobber around with panache to music, my company helps people automate things like this - I know what I'm talking about. If you'd like some help with it, hit us up with a message to NotLuck.
A Note to New Performers (The Bit You Wish You'd Been Told)
If you were more focused on some other sparkly bits at the time or if no one taught you this, it doesn’t make you careless or unprofessional.
It’s because we’re generally all chaos goblins in this party and we looooooove creaitivity, sparkles and a bit of rule-breaking. But babe, save it for the stage - and let your Tech Sheet be the anchor of your act.
A lil’ truthbomb for you:
✨ You can be playful, sensual, messy-on-stage AND deeply reliable off it. ✨
In fact, that combination is catnip to producers.
Givin’ you one for free….
Get all of this information in one place before you need it. Let me tell you, castings that meet your own criteria can sometimes be few and far between. If all of your casting information is in one place, it’s just there.
Let it be as normal a part of your act creation process as the rhinestoning.
Be the Performer Everyone Wants Back
We all know that cock-ups happen on stage, forgotten bevels, wardrobe malfunctions, nip-slips - it’s all part of the joy of live performance. So anything that you can lock-in ahead of time is going to be in your favour.
Great communication isn’t about perfection.
It’s about showing up with consideration, clarity, and respect for the whole team.
And if you’re thinking “I wish someone would just give me a checklist for this” - you’re exactly why I’m creating a downloadable Tech & Communication Guide for Performers.
It’s coming soon. And yes, it’s going to make your life easier.
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