GV teaches March 22 for the Hollywood Burlesque Festival
At the Hollywood Burlesque Festival, I’m teaching The Art of the Build-Up: Gloves, a deep dive into one of burlesque’s most iconic peels. Whether you want to ooze sensuality, command the room with power, or leave your audience wrecked with want, your glove peel is a flirty weapon when you know how to wield it.
💋 What we’re doing:
A breakdown of my five pillars of tease and how they apply to gloves
Three distinct glove peels to build tension and keep your audience hanging on every move
A sultry glove tease combo to Closer by Nine Inch Nails
This class is for performers, aspiring showgirls, and anyone who wants to move with more confidence and control. You’ll learn how to own the space, stretch anticipation to its breaking point, and make them beg for more, with just a pair of gloves!
I’ll see you there. Bring your gloves. And maybe a fan, bc it’s gonna get hot. 🔥
What’s the difference between a good glove peel and a show-stopping one?
It’s not just about the gloves—it’s about the build-up and creating tension.
Burlesque is all about anticipation and self expression. And glove peels are so classic when it comes to the art of the tease. I used to really struggle with glove peels because they can feel so uninspired or predictable. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Whether you’re slipping, yanking, biting, or barely letting go, the way you create, build and amplify tension is what makes the moment inspiring and unforgettable. That’s exactly what we’re diving into in my upcoming class: The Art of the Build-Up: Gloves.
This isn’t just a glove class—it’s a full-on masterclass in tease. We’ll work on:
✨ Three different strategies to take off gloves (or anything!) ✨ Controlling their attention so every move lands ✨ Mastering the perfect payoff moment
Plus, we’ll go through a warm-up, conditioning, stretch, and then dive into my original choreo to Closer by Nine Inch Nails (because drama).
✨ Bring knee pads. All levels welcome. Modifications provided.
How to Be a Showgirl Magnet: 5 Secrets to Owning the Stage
Have you ever watched a performer who completely mesmerized you? Someone who didn’t just go through the motions but commanded every eye in the room? Ok so for sure some people really do have the sauce just effortlessly. But that kind of stage presence isn’t only luck—it’s skill, intention, and practice. And the best part? You can totally learn it.
It doesn’t matter if you’re stepping onto the burlesque stage for the first time, or refining your presence as a veteran performer, being able to intentionally control your magnetism will transform your act from good to unforgettable. Are you in? If so, keep reading, because in this post, we’re diving into the 5 secrets of stage magnetism that will help you cultivate presence, confidence, and help you feel more deliberate onstage.
1. Temptation & Mystery: Less is More
Sometimes it’s out of necessity, but if you can help it – don’t do too much too soon. Let the audience process your music, your concept, your vibe before you start taking things off. Giving everything away too soon can definitely be a fun rule to break, but the most effective teasers understand that anticipation is everything. You don’t want to just show up and immediately deliver; you want to reel the audience in—slowly, deliberately, with just enough tease to leave them craving more. If it sounds manipulative, that’s because it is, haha, but not in a malicious way, more like in a fun and playful way.
✨ Try This:
Instead of rushing into a movement, pause and let the moment breathe.
Experiment with switching between moving to the beat and moving to the melody. It keeps the audience engaged and creates unexpected, dynamic reveals.
Think of your performance like storytelling—how can you build tension before the payoff?
2. Emotional Connection: Perform WITH Your Audience
Technique is important but it’s nothing without feeling. That’s the part of what makes burlesque an art. Ever seen someone dance technically well but still feel… kinda flat? Like they are just performing at you? That’s because movement alone isn’t enough—you need emotion. Audiences don’t just want to see a routine; they want to feel something.
✨ Try This:
Identify the core emotion of your act—seductive? Playful? Vulnerable? Powerful? Then dial it up.
Your eye contact, breath, and facial expressions should match your energy. Every move should be deliberate and meaningful.
Instead of performing at the audience, connect with them—imagine you’re having a conversation.
Confidence isn’t just a mindset—it’s physical – in your body language, posture, and transitions. If you hesitate or second-guess yourself, your audience can feel it. The trick? Even if you don’t feel 100% confident, act like you do.
✨ Try This:
Before stepping on stage remember that you’re a bad ass and you’re in control (Then believe it.)
Take one part of your routine that feels weak and turn it into a showstopper—hold a bold pause, add a confident turn, or sharpen a transition.
Practice owning stillness. A performer who can hold a moment with intention is magnetic. Just don’t forget the feeling part – otherwise you’re kinda just making it weird.
A great performance isn’t just visual—it’s a multi-sensory experience. The more you engage your audience’s senses, the more memorable you become.
✨ Try This:
Think beyond your costume—textures, lighting, and music dynamics all affect your impact.
Small details matter! For example, I spray my feathers with perfume (even though I KNOW it’s probably bad for them, so don’t do what I do, unless you also don’t care).
What does your act sound like, feel like, smell like? Make it immersive!
The audience can’t touch you or feel your feathery props, but you can show them how it feels, and you can make them feel it. Hot.
➡️ Get the full checklist for building a sensory-rich performance inside the Showgirl Magnetic Blueprint!Available in MemberStrip!
5. Expectation Management: Break the Pattern
If your act is too predictable, your audience will check out. You can really up your stage presence and keep people on their toes by mixing familiar patterns with unexpected surprises.
✨ Try This:
Identify a moment in your act where you can subvert expectations. Maybe you build up a movement, then suddenly stop instead of delivering what they expect.
Use contrast—soft movements followed by sharp ones, fast sequences broken up with a slow reveal.
Play with delayed gratification. Let the audience think they know what’s coming, then surprise them.
Real talk: reading and taking notes is one thing, but the real transformation happens when you take these concepts and put them into practice—get into your body, your shoes, and your costume. Consistency, regardless of results or mood, will work—it’s just so much easier said than done. Be gentle with yourself and remember that every month the mood goes dark, so you should too – the progress won’t stop if you take a break (but it will if you burn yourself out).
If you want to go real deep, check out MemberStrip—you’ll get the full Showgirl Magnetic Blueprint, plus a self-assessment worksheet to refine your act and become THAT performer.
If I had a rhinestone for every time one of my students or private clients or even my peers confessed that they were struggling from imposter syndrome, I could rhinestone my whole house. So if you often feel like you’re not good enough, you’re not alone.
confidence is a skill we build
it’s not something we are born with. And while “faking it till you make it” can get you out of your comfort zone, nobody wants to be phony – we want authenticity, right? So in my humble opinion, action is the only course to ditch imposter syndrome to the curb because you can’t fake showing up. The only way to stop feeling like an imposter is to keep doing the thing (whatever it is) until you prove yourself wrong.
Another approach is understanding that perfectionism causes imposter syndrome and perfectionism is a tenet of white supremacy which we are actively fighting, so it’s imperative that you do this work. Not even joking.
Think about your first day at your job – you felt awkward and unsure, but now after some experience, after consistently showing up, it gets easier (I hope!).
So next time you’re feeling that Imposter Syndrome kicking in, don’t ask yourself am I good enough, ask yourself, did I show up? That’s all that matters.
If you’re looking to improve your expression through burlesque, check out MemberStrip, where we train, learn and grow together. If you’re ready to step into your confidence, it’s waiting for you. Join here.
THIS JUST IN: I’ve had two considerate friends let me know they can no longer make my SOLD OUT workshop this Sunday, Feb 2. Do you want to join us? Grab your spot now!
class description
There’s magic in making them wait. In this transformative masterclass, I’ll teach you the art of the build-up—the ultimate technique for commanding attention, creating anticipation, and leaving your audience breathless. Whether you’re performing on stage or just walking into a room, this class will teach you how to slow it down, hold the moment, and own your power. Spots are limited—claim yours now. This class includes a conditioning sensual warm up, movement, and a whole lot of fun.
