Burlesque 101: What’s a Producer?

Welcome back, class! It’s been awhile since we covered some of the very basics of burlesque, so I’m calling us back in. Today we are getting into terms that you may hear thrown around as a burlesque observer or performer: Producer. 

Now “producer” is probably a word you’ve heard Bachelorette contestants say or have seen in movie credits, but it is also a really important term in the burlesque scene. So what exactly is a burlesque show producer and what’s different about producing shows vs performing in them. Let’s get into it.

What’s a Burlesque Producer?

Pro·duc·er  /prəˈdo͞osər/ noun

 a person responsible for the financial and managerial aspects of the making of a movie or broadcast or for staging a play, opera, etc.

Starting from the top, we have the literal definition of a producer. A producer is someone that makes something. For the sake of burlesque we’re talking about shows, otherwise known as productions. So like mentioned above, the people in the movie credits are the people who are “responsible for the financial and managerial aspects of the making of [a performance piece]”. This is the same basic idea of what we mean when we talk about Burlesque Producers. Producers do A LOT of work to make a burlesque show happen, and unlike other producers, they are the main players in any given show’s organization. They don’t just fund the show, they are the whole heart of the operation. Let’s break it down more.

Venue: Burlesque Producers scout for, communicate with, and organize with the venue they are organizing a show with. Clearly, without space, a show isn’t going to happen. Many producers need to pitch the idea of burlesque to new venues, other times shows are at tried and true spots. Either way the Producer is responsible for all communication with the venue. Things that vary from venue to venue include: dates and time, price splits for tickets, costs for rental/using space, number of people they can have, physical space, music and lighting equipment, advertising and marketing, and so much more. Every space has its own rules, conduct, and limitations. A Producer navigates all these aspects before a show even happens.

Casting: Burlesque Producers are responsible for casting their show. Some producers perform in their show and some don’t, but they definitely are not doing it alone. Producers cast shows either by inviting specific performers directly or going through a casting-call process. Both these formats have considerations including trusting a performer to bring a good act or reading through numerous applications to find the perfect fit for their show. Either way, a Burlesque Producer now takes on the responsibility of not only finding but also contacting an entire cast so that all information is shared correctly. Casts vary in size and include hosts, kittens, tip collectors, and other crew members, and they all go through the producer.

Payment: Burlesque Producers are responsible for paying the performers. There are so many different ways this pans out, but the responsibility once again falls to the producer to get it done.

Prep: putting a show with multiple performers together involves a lot of preparation. All acts have different music files, props, and considerations. Burlesque Producers curate their show by making a Set List of the order of performance, which includes listening through everyone's music files, considering props and stage needs, and creating a flow of act to act.

Marketing: Burlesque Producers also create fliers and creative pieces to promote their shows. Producers need to get the word out so their shows are successful and attended, this includes advertising it so people know where to find them.

Crisis Management: with Live Theatre anything can happen. As the representative of the cast and show a producer has to be quick thinking. If multiple cast members don’t show up, or an audience member is being too rowdy, the Producer steps up to figure out the best way out of the sticky situation. Burlesque Producers are responsible for the safety of their cast and crew.

So as you can see Burlesque Producers have their hands full. This is not even an exhaustive list of what a producer may be handling when putting on a show.

Producing Vs Performing

Burlesque Producers typically are either current or former performers. In my honest opinion producers SHOULD be at least former performers, because they know what it is like to perform and they’ve been in your shoes. I would also go as far as to say that I would completely avoid producers or directors who do not do burlesque striptease acts themselves because they don’t know what it’s like to perform that way. But like squares and rectangles, not all performers are producers. Producers take on all the responsibility mentioned above, and not everyone wants to do that, and that’s OK!

Burlesque Performers also put in a ton of work. Before a show even starts they learn specific skills, make costumes, practice their acts, do hair and makeup, and 1000 other things. Then they get on stage and put on a SHOW. Performing is no joke.

Producing Burlesque Shows in Boston and Providence

There is a booming scene of burlesque in Boston and Providence! Many shows in our area take on specific themes and recruit for acts for those specific ideas. You may notice shows that are about “ghouls” with spooky or horror acts, or the “David Boobie” show which is all David Bowie songs or the “Star Burlesque Battle Royal” on May 4th which is Star Wars themed. There’s many different types of shows, because there are many different types of burlesque. You can find information on all types of shows on our local shows page.