Neo Burlesque Theory & Performance
CORNISH COLLEGE OF THE ARTS
FALL 2025
FALL 2025
Class Length: 2 hrs, 45 minutes
Enrollment Cap: Up to 12 students
Format: In-Person; enrolled CCA Students only
Enrollment Cap: Up to 12 students
Format: In-Person; enrolled CCA Students only
Sailor St. Claire leads a semester-long course for aspiring burlesque and cabaret artists at Cornish College of the Arts. Created by Cherry Manhattan and stewarded by Waxie Moon and Cafe Au Lait Ole, the Neo-Burlesque Theory & Performance course gives budding performers the tools they need to create a burlesque persona/character, devise a signature act, and learn best practices to become professional burlesque and cabaret artists. Grounded in the history of American burlesque and performance theory, students from a variety of artistic disciplines will not only leave the course with a stage-ready act, but with an understanding of burlesque as a queer and feminist performance artform.
The Art of the Performer Bio
Class Length: 60-90 minutes
Enrollment Cap: Up to 20 Students or 1:1 Consultation
Format: Virtual Live Zoom Session or In-Person
Enrollment Cap: Up to 20 Students or 1:1 Consultation
Format: Virtual Live Zoom Session or In-Person
Previously taught at: BurlyCon, The Academy of Burlesque, Ohio Burlesque Festival, Booklover's Burlesque Festival, Candybox Revue
Do you find yourself in a panic when asked for a bio? Not sure what to say or how much you should say? This class will introduce you to the genre of the performer bio and provide a method for creating a stockpile of bios for various audiences — from festival producers to fans to potential bookers. Sailor draws on her decade of experience in writing instruction to help students craft engaging biographies that maintain a consistent persona across multiple platforms.
Want to work with Sailor 1:1 to craft your bio? She is also available for consultation and bio writing services!
Do you find yourself in a panic when asked for a bio? Not sure what to say or how much you should say? This class will introduce you to the genre of the performer bio and provide a method for creating a stockpile of bios for various audiences — from festival producers to fans to potential bookers. Sailor draws on her decade of experience in writing instruction to help students craft engaging biographies that maintain a consistent persona across multiple platforms.
Want to work with Sailor 1:1 to craft your bio? She is also available for consultation and bio writing services!
Contracts and Booking Agreements 101
Class Length: 60-90 minutes
Enrollment Cap: Up to 20 students or 1:1 Consultation
Format: Virtual Live Zoom Session or In-Person
Enrollment Cap: Up to 20 students or 1:1 Consultation
Format: Virtual Live Zoom Session or In-Person
Contracts and booking agreements don't have to be full of legalese. They should be plain language tools that ensure both performers and producers are protected and that all parties agree to meet the expectations laid out in the contract. Drawing on her background as a professional writing instructor and her experience managing contracts for nonprofits, Sailor will offer templates and tools to create your own contracts and booking agreements. Both producers and performers can benefit from this class!
For those who want to review documents and get Sailor's feedback, she is also available for 1:1 Consultations.
For those who want to review documents and get Sailor's feedback, she is also available for 1:1 Consultations.
Header image by Parris Blue Photography.