What got you started in burlesque?
I have always valued femininity and have had a strong connection towards vintage things and the lifestyle. when I discovered burlesque though alternative modeling the style of performance art filled a void that just theater couldn't fulfill.
I'm never more myself than when I'm in the buff, it's freedom!

How long have you been performing?
I started performing in show choirs and drama productions throughout my adolescence and teenage years. As a young adult I become involved in sketch comedy and improv. I was bitten by the burlesque bug in 2006 and have been sending chills throughout audiences from my ever elusive shake.

What does burlesque mean to you ?

Burlesque to me is about having integrity and respect for a lifestyle and preserving the rich history. the entertainment aspect of burlesque is meant to make people think and feel and forget about everything else other then what they are viewing and feeling. 
 TrueBurlesque is an esoteric art form passed down from centuries of  entertainers, have you called a legend lately? It is important to understand where we come from and were we are going because our actions are going to affect the latter years of burlesque. 
burlesque IS a lifestyle, a business and overall and amazing creative journey for me and I am proud to tell everyone that I am a performance artist and I perform the art of burlesque.


Why Ohio?
Because I can see Ohio from my front porch.

Describe your self in one word?
Luscious 

What got you started in burlesque?
- Happenstance.

How long have you been performing?
- Since 1980...but as SATORI CIRCUS...1988/25yrs.

What does burlesque mean to you?
- From my dictionary: humor that depends on comic imitation and exaggeration; absurdity. From my head: Freedom,        Empowerment and Beauty...over the top!!

Why Ohio? 
- Because of new friends and the type of growing community there for burlesque, vaudeville and other absurd theatre.

Describe your self in one word? 
- Different.

What got you started in burlesque?
I went to my very first burlesque show as an audience member back in the fall of 2009. I was hooked before intermission. I loved the atmosphere that burlesque brought. Not many mediums have such a good balance between over-the-top outrageous and down-to-earth normality. I really wanted to become part of it all in any way possible. My chance came in the spring of 2010 when I was approached by one of my dear friends, who performed regularly in town with the scene. He was helping one a burlesque performer in town put together a Burlesque/Vaudeville/Variety style "Medicine Show", and wanted me to help him act as sort of a 'co-host'. We'd come up inbetween every act and would mug with the audience about our elixir's 'amazing healing abilities', and would then tie it in with the next performer. Once that was done, the performer he helped put the show together with asked me to be a part of another new project of her's called 'The Beggar's Carnivale', and I really haven't looked back since.
How long have you been performing?
A little over three years, which is crazy, because it feels like it's been twice as long as it really has been. I'm starting to hit some serious strides in the last 6 months, so expect a lot more from me for years to come (I love performing too much to quit now Haha)

What does burlesque mean to you ?
To me, burlesque means making what may be considered 'taboo' and putting it directly in the audience's collective faces. It's seeing perfection from what society has you believe otherwise. Baring your soul, night-in night-out for the world to see. And it's so much more than just striptease (no offense). There's vaudeville, sideshow, comedy, cabaret, et cetera; there's a taste out there for even the pickiest of palates.


Why Ohio?
Why NOT Ohio? I've had too much fun so far in my performing life NOT to take every opportunity out there. I've gotten to perform in numerous cities in this awesome country. Hell, I even got to work overseas last summer in Scotland. But I'm still wanting more. Why just stick to performing in different cities andcountries, when I could start performing on other PLANETS! Today, Ohio; Tomorrow, SATURN! Like Robert Plant said in the lyrics of Kashmir: "I'm a traveler of both Time and Space, to be where I have been"......was that too over the top?


Describe your self in one word?
Time-Lordtastic.........also, 42. 

What got you started- I saw the documentary "Pretty Things" by Liz Goldwyn just after graduating high school and became very intrigued with the history of burlesque. I became more and more interested, and started following the careers of Catherine D'lish, Dita Von Teese, and Dirty Martini to name a few. Until I moved to Las Vegas in 2009 I never imagined I would give performing burlesque a chance. I found out about Cha Cha Velour's "Las Vegas Burlesque Classes" and the rest is history!

How long- I have been performing burlesque just over a year. 

What does burlesque mean- To me, burlesque gives me the ability to be the woman I have always wanted to be; sexy, confident, fearless. To be able to own the reactions of the audience is a thrill like no other.

Why Ohio?- I grew up in the suburbs of Cleveland from age 3 to 22 so it's full circle for me. To be able to return to my hometown and share my passion with the community I grew up in is a dream. 

Describe in one word: torrid 

What got you started in burlesque?
We were putting together a benefit to raise money for a friend's surgery, and I put together a little "burlesque lite" number for the show.  One month later, a local troupe was holding auditions and I went for it!  Three years later, I've never looked back.

How long have you been performing?

I've been doing burlesque for a little over three years, but I started singing and dancing as soon as I could walk and talk!

What does burlesque mean to you ?

It's the ultimate in self-expression, for me.  I can be as silly, sassy, and sexy as I want - all on my own terms.

Why Ohio?

I've never been to Cleveland, and I'm SO excited - OBF will be my first festival as a solo performer.

Describe yourself in one word?


Vamp.

What got you started in burlesque?  

I started in burlesque because I saw some burlesque groups performing at events and it looked like a lot of fun.   My husband encouraged me and I found local burlesque classes and signed up.

How long have you been performing?

I started performing burlesque in 2008.  I have been doing other types of performing - dancing primarily, but also singing and acting, since I was a child.

What does burlesque mean to you ?  

Burlesque means the opportunity to be creative and become a new character on stage. Burlesque is amazing because the neo-Burlesque community provides performers with the freedom to be creative and push boundaries, to be self-expressive, and to empower oneself and the audience through their work. 

Why Ohio?

I have never been to Ohio and this seemed like a great opportunity to get my first taste of the area and get an opportunity to meet new performers and expand my horizons.  

Describe your self in one word?  Eclectic.

What got you started in burlesque?

When I was in college, I produced/directed/starred in a live Rocky Horror Picture Show cast. We had a thirty minute pre-show cabaret before every show, and I started doing burlesque as a way to spice it up. I was terrible back then, but it was so exciting!
How long have you been performing?

My first ever burlesque performance was in 2006, but I didn't really pursue it beyond the Rocky Horror show until 2009.

What does burlesque mean to you ?
Burlesque for me is about art, expression, and sexual liberty. It's the creative outlet I've always craved! It is inherently sensual and oftentimes erotic, and I love to take that tension and twist it into something strange and unusual... or sometimes, the other way around!

Why Ohio?

Because I've never performed there before! Hopefully this won't be the last time, either.

Describe your self in one word?
Quirky.

What got you started in burlesque?

While I was performing as a theatre actress in California  I had began pin up modeling and was very much interested in the vintage lifestyle. In all of my research on makeup, hair, and clothes, I became a huge fan of Dita, which got me further interested in burlesque. I loved the musical Gypsy from the first time I say the movie starring Natalie Wood, so I thought that one day I would love to give it a shot. Coincidentally, I was planning a move back to Ohio and my best friends Betty LeRoux and Becky Buxom were performing in The Ooh-La-Las Burlesque troupe in Columbus. I began performing with them almost immediately and haven't looked back since!

How long have you been performing?

I've been performing since June 2008, so I've just celebrated my 5 year burly-versary.

What does burlesque mean to you ?

Burlesque encompasses all of my loves: glamour, dance, performance art, acting, costuming, vintage, nostalgia, beauty, rhinestones, music... Although I was used to performing onstage, I never really had the type of confidence that it takes to stand in front of those same people naked until I began performing burlesque. To me, burlesque is the thing that has changed me into the person I always wanted to be.

Why Ohio?

I chose the Ohio Burlesque Festival because it is my home festival! I want to represent all the best that the Buckeye State has to offer!

Describe your self in one word?
Bombshell

What got you started in burlesque?
I have always enjoyed being naked... naked in public even better.
Also I am transgender, or Male to Female Transsexual.  I  see myself very differently than drag.  I am dedicating part of my life to improved understanding and respect for transgender people of all kinds.  I think the heart and sole of current day burlesque is the audience respect for the performers love of self and sexyness.  My burlesque motto is T is beautiful and age is relative.  I am so old that pantie hose had not been invented when I first put on hose and garters.

How long have you been performing?  
My first performance was July 29th 2010.  It was a rock and roll themed show, I performed to addicted to love.  Luckily there is no video to my knowledge.  

What does burlesque mean to you ?

I think the heart and sole of current day burlesque is the audience respect and suport of  the performers love of self and sexyness.  My burlesque motto is T is beautiful and age is relative.  I am so old that pantie hose had not been invented when I first put on hose and garters.  I feel sexy, beautiful and so lucky to be accepted,  respected and admired by the audiences.

Why Ohio?  
My company has disbanded and local events are few and far between, so this year I started applying for festivals and shows.  Ohio Burlesque Festival is one of the premer burlesque festivals in the Midwest.  It was a no brainer.  I am going to love performing, but beyond that I am going to learn, improve myself and meet lots of beautiful people making more contacts as we all spread  our wings.


Describe your self in one word.  Queer-age-ous

What got you started in burlesque?
I was introduced to it when I was in college, and as soon as I was able to I dove in and never looked back.

How long have you been performing?
I've been performing in general my entire life, I've been doing burlesque for around 4 years and circus for 3.

What does burlesque mean to you ?
Using a very specific genre of performance art to celebrate sexuality and self-love. It's unique in that sense; especially in the performing arts, it's very hard to find any form of expression that encourages you to love yourself.

Why Ohio?
I'm always interested to extend myself into other burlesque communities. I've heard great things about OBF and a lot of the performers involved, so I just said "why not" and submitted my application to see what would happen.

Describe your self in one word?
Kindofawesome. That's totally a word.

<3 Fonda Feeling