Today we’d like to introduce you to Kitty Victorian.
Kitty, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have always been involved in theater and performing, but it wasn’t until I was introduced to burlesque in 2002 while visiting Chicago that I found my spark. In that show, I had the opportunity to witness Dirty Martini perform in all her voluptuousness owning her sexuality and sensuality. This was so empowering and I knew that was what was missing from my theatrical experience and I fell in love with burlesque. I then went back to my hometown and searched and searched for any way to get involved in burlesque.
To my dismay, there was absolutely nothing. It was then that my partner at the time and myself decided to move to Washington, DC. I thought, “Great! A big city! There’s sure to be burlesque there and I’ll be able to jump right in!” Boy, was I wrong. There was nothing in DC. But I didn’t let that stop me. I decided to learn more about burlesque and I got involved with the DC Kings who performed at least once a month. After I began performing, others began to approach me being blown away by the idea of burlesque and wanted to know how they, too, could do what I do.
With my experience as a high school teacher and performer, I decided that it was something I could teach and pass the art along. Then as more and more interest grew, there were enough burlesque performers to start our own troupe. This troupe was a queer troupe performing for the LGBTQ community called the DC Gurly Show and is still going strong today. From those classes, I was able to build up enough curriculum and interest that I opened Burlesque University in 2006. During that time I was traveling and performing and producing other shows at the Palace of Wonders in DC, as well.
However, it wasn’t until I moved to Phoenix in 2011 that I acquired a brick and mortar location. Previously, I had rented studio space for dance schools to hold classes. And at that time began producing Phoenix’s first monthly burlesque show entitled “Birthday Suit Burlesque”, which is still going strong today. In 2013, Burlesque University was awarded Phoenix New Times Best of Phoenix Award for “Best Place To Learn How to Take It Off”. So with the combination of Burlesque University and Birthday Suit Burlesque, there is the chance for folks to learn the art of the tease AND take it to the next level and perform!
Teaching burlesque and helping people find their glow and confidence is so incredibly rewarding! Burlesque University offers classes on many topics surrounding burlesque and other erotic arts. Focusing on body-positive and sex-positive teachings, most classes are open to every person regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, etc. What we’re saying folks is that if you want to learn the art of the tease to find power and self-confidence, we’d love to teach it to you!
The goal at Burlesque University is to make a positive difference in the lives of others, and to do so we are looking to expand our curriculum and add new professors to the faculty. We have an array of different classes to help you discover your inner strength and confidence. This expansion and collaboration is a synergy of talents and assets to push the entire burlesque community positively forward. So keep abreast of happenings here at Burlesque University!
Has it been a smooth road?
Anything good is not easy. As a small business owner, I wear ALL the hats; marketing, promotion, accounting, web design, scheduling, inventory, correspondence, etc. Getting the word out to the right target audience on a shoestring budget is the most challenging. Since we have built our new studio, things have been a bit smoother but getting the word out is still a struggle.
As for Birthday Suit Burlesque, the biggest challenge as the show is growing bigger and bigger is finding an appropriate venue. Our monthly shows are beginning to sell out faster and faster and we are searching for a bigger venue. Each day presents new challenges, but it’s a matter of seeing what’s in front of you and tackling it head-on.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Burlesque University offers classes on many topics surrounding burlesque and other erotic arts. Focusing on body-positive and sex-positive teachings, most classes are open to every person regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, etc. What we’re saying folks is that if you want to learn the art of the tease to find power and self-confidence, we’d love to teach it to you!
The goal at Burlesque University is to make a positive difference in the lives of others, and to do so we are looking to expand our curriculum and add new professors to the faculty. We have an array of different classes to help you discover your inner strength and confidence. This expansion and collaboration is a synergy of talents and assets to push the entire burlesque community positively forward. So keep abreast of happenings at Burlesque University!
In addition, Burlesque University has a sister school, Kink University, which teaches various classes on sex education and different topics of kink and kink lifestyle. It’s a safe space to ask questions that you may otherwise be too embarrassed to ask. The Birthday Suit Burlesque is a sinfully sassy, titillatingly tawdry, and utterly uncivilized cabaret collective of illicitly incredible performers oozing sharp wit and sex appeal! Celebrating the fun we had as kids in an adult way.
Bringing a combined stage experience of over 50 years, the Birthday Suit Burlesque will tease, tantalize and taunt the audience with comedy, sex, and theatrics. Each month we unwrap our gifts for you!!
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Burlesque is getting more and more popular, but, unfortunately, Phoenix Valley area is lacking decent performance venues for burlesque. I would love to see a venue open that focused on cabaret and burlesque to have nightly performances.
Pricing:
- Burlesque 101 (8 week course) – $200
- How To Strip For Your Lover – $15
- Pin-Up Hairstyling – $15
- Corseting 101 – $15
- Make-up Onstage & Off – $25
- How To Be A Pin-Up Model – $25
- Fan Dancing for Beginners – $15
- Boa Technique – $15
- Birthday Suit Burlesque VIP Table for 4 – $60
- Birthday Suit Burlesque Reserved Table for 4 – $50
- Birthday Suit Burlesque General Admission – $9
- Kink University classes – $20
- Private Burlesque Party – $125 and up
- Private Burlesque Instruction – $75/hr
Contact Info:
- Address: 3645 E Coronado Rd Phoenix, AZ 85008
- Website: www.burlesqueuniversity.com
- Phone: 480-389-4759
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/burlesqueuniversity/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BurlesqueUPhx/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/BurlesqueU
- Other: www.birthdaysuitburlesque.com
Image Credit:
ChrisK Photography
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