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We’re Hiring
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Category: Jobs, Work, Careers
The Boston Babydolls, New England's leading burlesque troupe, have an opening for one or two burlesque dancers to join the troupe on a permanent basis. If you're interested, please read on...
So you want to be a Boston Babydoll?
Great! We're always looking for talented burlesque dancers, variety performers, and assistants (for things like merchandising, costuming, hair/makeup, etc.)
What's it like to be a Boston Babydoll?
Well, first it's fun and glamorous. But it's also a lot of hard work. It's a part-time job and a full-time commitment. Expect the following time commitment:
- Weekly troupe rehearsals (usually 2 hours in the evening)
- Additional rehearsals for group numbers or big upcoming shows
- Practice on-your-own at least three times a week
- 2-3 shows or appearances a month (usually evenings)
- Promotion (online or flyers) of classes, shows, and the troupe
- Costuming (usually on your own, sometimes group "sweat shops")
- Photo shoots (usually 3-4 a year)
- Regular ongoing communication via email
It's a serious time commitment to be a Boston Babydoll. If you want to be a Boston Babydoll but don't have the time right now, no worries! We have lots of other ways to be involved. See "Friends of the Boston Babydolls" below.
What does it take to be a Boston Babydoll?
Dance ability, burlesque experience, the "right look and style," and a whole lot of personality.
Dance ability: All of The Boston Babydolls have some form of dance background (tap, ballet, jazz, belly, etc.). Burlesque dancing is not like club dancing. Dances are choreographed and incorporate traditional burlesque moves (bumps, grinds, and shimmies) as well as dance movements of the 1920s to 1940s (Charlestons, swing, etc.). If you know how to move and have some dance background, we can teach you some of the Boston Babydoll-esque movements.
Burlesque experience: While The Boston Babydolls occasionally use go-go dancers and other "straight" dance numbers, we are a burlesque troupe. Our dancers perform burlesque. This means knowing and owning the art of the striptease. If burlesque is new to you, The Boston Babydolls has a regular class, Instant Burlesque Queen, where you can learn the art of the striptease. It's far easier to teach dancers how to striptease than strippers how to dance. We also have a Boston Babydoll apprenticeship program for potential Boston Babydolls to learn the ins and outs of burlesque. See "Apprenticeship program" below.
The right look and style: The Boston Babydolls pay homage to the burlesque scene of old vaudeville. This means that everything we do – music choice, costuming, dance style, make up, etc. – fits the genre of the 1920s to 1940s. Boston Babydolls look and act the part of this era. If what you want to do is horror burlesque or dance to current pop songs, there are other troupes in the area that do this style of burlesque. This is not what The Boston Babydolls do.
Personality: Burlesque dancing is just like dating – people might immediately notice your looks and body, but ultimately, if you don't have personality, they loose interest. Part of the job of a Boston Babydoll is public relations – this means mingling with the crowd, posing for pictures, signing autographs, etc. Sometimes we have gigs that are strictly "appearances" and no performing. This means you must be comfortable talking to strangers and putting yourself out there. In addition, each of The Boston Babydolls has their own distinct persona which dictates music and costuming choices (and often a burlesque queen's signature – her stage name).
Do I get paid?
Yes. At a minimum, burlesque dancers get paid for each number they perform. Some shows pay more than others — it depends on the venue. Occasionally, The Boston Babydolls will perform gratis for charity events.
Do I get naked?
No. The Boston Babydolls perform burlesque, this means striptease not stripping. The least amount of clothing a Boston Babydoll burlesque dancer will strip down to is pasties (nipple covers) and panties. However, if you are uncomfortable with stripping to pasties and panties, burlesque might not be for you. If you're not sure, we have an Instant Burlesque Queen class where you can test yourself to find out what you are comfortable with.
What about security?
The Boston Babydolls have an amazing fan base and following. Our audiences are fun, often loud, and almost always respectful. Rarely have we have had an instant where someone was disrespectful or crossed the line. That being said, The Boston Babydolls take security seriously. We always have at least one or two crew members who are available to help out if a situation arises, and every venue we perform at also provides security.
Who does your costuming?
For solo numbers, each Boston Babydoll is responsible for her own costuming – whether sewing or bargain-hunting. The troupe does not reimburse performers for costuming purchases (although they can be a good tax write-off). However, the troupe does have an extensive amount of costumes and props that Boston Babydolls may borrow. For large group numbers, the troupe will purchase the materials needed for new costumes and all of The Boston Babydolls help out with sewing (often referred to as Boston Babydolls "sweat shop" nights – more fun than they sound!)
What's a "Friend of The Boston Babydolls"?
While our burlesque dancers are the heart and soul of The Boston Babydolls, we couldn't do any of it without a cadre of people to help us including crew (stage hands, stage kittens/pick-up artists, etc.), security, promo and merchandising, and even costuming, hair and makeup. If you love burlesque and want to be involved (but not strip), love theater and miss doing tech work, or even if you just want to come to a show and can't afford to buy a ticket, then you would be a great Friend of The Boston Babydolls. We have lots of shows and are always looking for volunteers to help us out. We're also on the look out for variety performers (singers, jugglers, spinners, hula hoopers, contortionists, etc.)
What's the Boston Babydoll Apprenticeship program?
In a nutshell, here's the deal: we make a three month commitment to each other. In that time, we teach you about burlesque dance, hair and make-up, costuming, and we develop your burlesque persona and role within The Boston Babydolls. We also teach you some choreographies and generally get you ready to be part of the troupe.
In exchange, you help us at shows (by being a stage kitten or minding the merchandise booth, etc.), you're part of the street team (promoting shows), and you practice what we teach you. At the end of 90 days, we look at each other and you decide if this is something you want to pursue seriously, and we decide whether you're ready to be a full member of the troupe.
So how can I be a Boston Babydoll?
Fill out the form below, send it to us, and we'll be in touch. If we think you're a good match, we'll ask you to audition for us. This means performing a burlesque number for your audition.
CUT HERE AND RETURN
Name:
Phone number(s):
Email address:
Address:
Do you have a car? __ Yes __ No
I'm interested in (check all that apply):
__ Burlesque dancing
__ Variety performing
What's your specialty?______________________________________________
__ Boston Babydoll apprenticeship program
__ being a "Friend of the Boston Babydolls":
__ stage crew/stage kitten
__ merchandising/promo
__costuming
__hair/makeup
For burlesque dancers only:
1. What's your current job situation? (i.e., 9-5/M-F office job, waitressing on evenings, etc.)
2. What other commitments do you have that impact your time/availability?
3. What's your dance background?
4. Burlesque experience (if any)?
5. Why do you want to be a Boston Babydoll?
6. Anything else we should know?
4:49 AM
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