Jo Weldon is the Headmistress of the New York School of Burlesque, author of The Burlesque Handbook, and a founding member of BurlyCon. She is an internationally-recognized author, lecturer, emcee, performer, and instructor. She has also been a member of the production team at The Burlesque Hall of Fame since 2004. Her first book, The Burlesque Handbook, was published in 2010, and her second book Fierce: The History of Leopard Print, was released in 2018.
Icons, Elders, Legends, Ancestors In our burlesque community we often use many terms when we talk about those who’ve paved the path for us. What do these terms mean for some of us? What responsibilities do we feel to those we call Legends? What expectations do we have about what they mean for others in our community, particularly those who are newer to burlesque? Jo Weldon will discuss her observations …
Burlesque Movement from the Waist Up As Jo Weldon’s mobility levels have changed, she has focused more on movement and performance from the waist up. She’ll discuss and demonstrate the potential of focusing on the choreography of breathing, head, eyes, shoulders, arms, and hands. Attendees will be guided through choreographies and invited to share their own insights and techniques with the class. What to Bring: Yourself Accessibility: Modifications provided Experience …
The Winged Stripper Tips for beginning international burlesque performers As the international burlesque festival circuit returns, so does the opportunity to take your show abroad. This lecture with Q&A is all about what it takes to travel the world – how to contact producers, how to determine rates, how to pack (and what NOT to pack), what to expect when you get there, and establishing your international reputation. Jo will …
What Do You Want from Burlesque? Making The Most of Your Burlesque Journey “Why are you doing burlesque? What do you contribute to burlesque? What is burlesque doing for you? In this unique goal-setting workshop, Jo will teach you how to identify what is at the root of your goals, how to prioritize your needs, and how to enjoy the journey as well as the destination. Bring a notebook and …
Tipping: Preferences, Practices, and Taxes Jo Weldon hosts an open discussion of tipping practices in the burlesque community. Over the past few years, throwing money on the stage and gathering tips from the audience have become a bigger part of shows than ever before. How is it evolving? What discussions are people having about it? What practices work best for different styles of shows? How do you account for it …
