Burlesque Backstage Pass: Stepping into the Spotlight - Getting Into Burlesque
Meet Dee Lightfull: IT director by day, burlesque star by night. Bold, flirty, and empowering, she brings glitter and humor to every performance. Stay tuned for her 'Backstage Pass' series!
I would like to introduce myself and my alter ego. By day, I am Debra Howell Charris, wife, mother, grandmother, IT director, and life adventurer. At night, I am Dee Lightfull, burlesque performer, producer, and self-proclaimed provocateur who is all about life with a bit more glitter and a dash more sass. Hailing from the heart of Central New York, I am the embodiment of fierce and flirty, a burlesque chameleon who brings a joyous zeal to the stage that is as infectious as it is delightful.
So, who is Dee Lightfull? “She's not just a burlesque artist; she's a siren of the stage, turning performances into a celebration of humor and seduction. With a charismatic stage presence that is both captivating and amusing, Dee has crafted a style that is uniquely her own. She is full-figured feistiness personified, a walking testament to the fact that sexiness is ageless and boundless.” And, she’s me.
In the series, “Backstage Pass,” I’ll give you an in depth look the behind-the-scenes: from choosing the perfect music to the ins and outs of marketing yourself to costuming tips to the often-taboo topic of money, you will gain an all-access pass to the backstage of burlesque. Want to make sure I cover a specific topic, email me at deelightfullburlesque@gmail.com.
Stepping into the Spotlight - Getting Into Burlesque
Burlesque is an art form that combines theatre, comedy, satire, music, and dance with an emphasis on the tease, not the strip. It's a world of glitz, glamour, and expressive freedom, where performers enchant audiences with their charisma, costumes, and choreography. If you're drawn to the burlesque scene, either as a performer or just to understand more about this captivating art, here's your beginner's guide to getting started. Keep in mind, this is just the surface!
Understanding Burlesque
Burlesque has evolved since its peak in the 1860s through the 1940s, blending traditional theatrical entertainment with modern sensibilities. It's important to recognize that burlesque is not solely about stripping; it's about storytelling, empowerment, and artistry. The essence of burlesque lies in the performance's ability to engage and tease the audience, often with a humorous twist.
Begin by immersing yourself in the history and diversity of burlesque. Watch performances, read about legendary burlesque stars, and understand different styles. Icons like Ginger Valentine, Dita Von Teese, Jo “Boobs” Weldon, and contemporary performers worldwide can offer inspiration. If you’re able to travel, consider visiting or supporting the Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas, Nevada.
You can learn a lot from social media: YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Follow the #burlesque and diverse burlesque performers. Bella Sin (@bellasincle) often offers (free or pay-what-you-can) classes in burlesque history including Decolonizing Burlesque, Latinx Burlesque History, and Queer Burlesque History.
I can’t stress this enough: LEARN YOUR BURLESQUE HISTORY!
3. Creating Your Persona
A significant aspect of burlesque is the creation of your stage persona. This alter ego should reflect aspects of your personality you want to amplify. Think about your persona's backstory, style, and what makes them unique. Use this persona to choose your stage name. Be sure to search Google and Instagram for that name to see if anyone else is using it. If they are, you must choose a different name. You want your burlesque name to be uniquely YOU!
As soon as you’ve chosen your name, create an Instagram account for your burlesque persona and start following burlesque performers, festivals, and schools.
You will also need to write your bio. It can feel a little strange writing a bio, because you have to write in the third person and be your own hype squad. I recommend doing an internet search and reading a few bios of other performers to get a sense of what they should look and sound like. For inspiration, this is my current tagline and bio:
Dee Lightfull
Where delight meets dynamite!
A celebration of beauty and boldness, confident and captivating, Dee Lightfull is an artist you can dee-pend on to truly dee-light! This dynamic performer from Freeville, New York, has spent the last five years lighting up stages across nine states, from Nevada to Maine, bringing her vibrant blend of neo and comedic burlesque to audiences leaving them both twitterpated AND glitter-pated! With a magnetic stage presence and a talent for infusing full-figured fantasy into every act, Dee is guaranteed to bring the house down with her one-of-a-kind charm.
As the driving force behind Burlesque Buffet, Dee isn’t just a performer; she’s also a passionate producer, dedicated to creating a platform where new and experienced artists alike can showcase their most dee-licious selves. In 2024, she was thrilled to share her expertise as a virtual instructor at BurlyCon, one of the premier burlesque education festivals in the world.
Curvy and pervy, nerdy, flirty, and dirty, she is proof that true allure knows no age-limit. A rubenesque celebration of eyes and thighs, Dee Lightfull is absolutely dee-luscious and dee-lectable!
Classes and Workshops
Look for local burlesque classes or workshops in your area. These classes are not only about learning to dance or strip but also about costume creation, character development, and stage presence. Many also offer lessons in makeup, hair styling, and the art of the tease, all essential skills for a burlesque performer. If you don’t have a vibrant burlesque community where you live, there are lots of schools offering virtual classes. A few that I recommend are:
- Bees Knees Burlesque Academy: https://www.beeskneesbabes.com/
- Maison Burlesque: https://www.maisonburlesque.com.au/
- World Burlesque Academy: https://www.worldburlesqueacademy.com/
- NY School of Burlesque: http://www.schoolofburlesque.com/
- The Bombshell Burlesque Academy: https://virtual.bombshellacademy.com.au/
Crafting Your Act
Developing a memorable burlesque act involves creativity and attention to detail. Choose music that resonates with your persona, design a costume that captivates and facilitates your performance, and think about how you can incorporate props or comedy into your act. Remember, the goal is to tell a story and connect with the audience, leaving them wanting more.
Start practicing your routine, focusing on movements, facial expressions, and engaging with the audience. Initially, you might perform for friends or at small, local events. Over time, as you gain confidence and polish your act, you can aim for larger venues and shows.
Burlesque is celebrated for its inclusivity and celebration of all body types. It's a space where performers embrace their bodies, showcasing confidence and sensuality. This art form encourages self-expression and empowerment, making it a transformative experience for many.
Act creation is a big topic, and I will be covering it in detail in a future Backstage Pass.
Business & Networking
The burlesque community is known for being inclusive and supportive. Attend shows, mingle with performers, and join online forums or social media groups. Networking is crucial for finding opportunities, learning from others, and getting involved in events. I’ll say it again louder for the people in the back, “NETWORKING IS CRUCIAL FOR FINDING OPPORTUNITIES!”
As soon as you are able, start branding yourself. Make a logo or have one created for you. Take business card or stickers or merch or all of the above with you when you go out to network. On social media, create your own hashtag. On all of my posts you will see #deelightfullburlesque.

When thinking about the business side of burlesque, you’ll need to decide if you want to create a media kit or a web site. Do you need a DBA (doing business as) or insurance?
Like act creation, a lot goes into the admin and business side of burlesque, so I will devote a future Backstage Pass to going in depth on this topic.
The Road Ahead
Breaking into the burlesque scene takes time, patience, and perseverance. It's about honing your craft, understanding your audience, and constantly evolving your performance. Celebrate your milestones, learn from feedback, and, most importantly, enjoy the journey.
Burlesque is more than just a performance; it's a celebration of creativity, expression, and empowerment. By following these steps, you're not just preparing to enter the world of burlesque; you're ready to make it your own. So, lace up your corset, adjust your feathers, and step into the spotlight. The stage is waiting.
Dee Lightfull can be found on Instagram or TikTok at @deelightfullburlesque or her website: https://www.deelightfullburlesque.com/
Dee Lightfull merch can be purchased at: https://donmanuelpresents.shop/product-category/dee-lightfull-collection/