Burlesque Classes in Portland - BodyMagick Temple

Burlesque 101 Portland

Time to unleash your inner showstopper!

BodyMagick Temple is where we ditch the shame, own our shine, and turn every move into a celebration of self-love.

We invite all levels, all bodies, all genders to join us in building community as a you create your first fabulous Burlesque act, and shine on stage in front of a supportive audience at the gorgeous Mission Theater, Portland, OR.

In Person Burlesque 101

Getting on stage is more than nuts and bolts of pulling together moves and costume pieces, it's a personal exploration of your power and joy. In BodyMagick Temple we hold a protected space for you to explore new ways of expressing yourself and become a bolder, more confident and juicy you.

This is transformation through play and joy!

But we don't skimp on the nuts and bolts. This is the most complete Burlesque 101 we've seen anywhere — we cover all the elements to help you create a beautiful performance and personal support to get you there.

Our Burlesque 101 in-person is a hybrid course with an online classroom accessible immediately following registration. In-person meetings build on the online classroom with experiential learning and Q&A, so that you progress on your act at each meeting. You'll finish the series with a performance in the beautiful Mission Theater and all the materials you need to continue performing Burlesque including a process for building new acts, promotional photo and bio, professional performance video, and knowledge of performer responsibilities in shows and how to apply to other productions.

You retain access to the online classroom as long as you keep our agreements of privacy and respect for all, so you can return to it when building future acts or for a sassy sparkle break.

Your In-Person BodyMagick Burlesque 101 Includes:

Private Online Classroom for course materials and ongoing Q&A
Access to expanding list of Burlesque Resources for costuming, additional learning and inspiration
Foundation Videos

Storytelling & Choreo; Costuming; Stage Makeup; Posing & Facial Expressions; Selecting a Stage Name; Professionalism
Dance Technique Videos

Basic Burlesque Moves Warmup; 4 P’s & Peeling Demo; Hot Tips; The Right Touch; And We Strut; Tassel Twirling; Stretching; Slink Sauce Dance, + many more!
Shine Bright in Self Love

The sexiest thing about any person is confidence and love of themselves! The Shine Bright module includes Eva's top techniques from her Becoming Babelicious Initiation for building and maintaining Self Love, so you glow on and off stage!
3 Private Act Development Sessions

1 pre-series Zoom to determine act focus and storyline, and two 1:1 sessions with an instructor. Additional private sessions are available for a discounted rate.
Support for all aspects of bringing your act to stage

Including 2 group workshopping sessions to practice performing in front of people
Photoshoot with Published PinUp Model & Professional Photographer

Includes direction on posing and 3 finished digital promo images so you have promo photos ready for our show and others
Instruction on lighting and camera set up for photos and video

Confidently capture video for performing in online shows and submitting with applications, and take your own promo photos.
Studio Time

Three hours of BodyMagick Temple studio time to work on your act.
Swank Sale with Portland-area Glam Vendors

Choose from a large selection of pasties, bras and panties, or discuss custom creations for your act.
Ongoing Access to BodyMagick Burlesque Spotlight & BurlyQFit Vaults

Includes: archive of 60-minute Burlesque movement classes and Workshop Library of choreography and technique videos, including boa, chair tease, fan dancing and choreographies with step-by-step breakdowns.
Ample Time Container

Time to take in the material while you build an act you're proud of, and stay balanced in life. Our schedule includes Work Weeks when we don't meet as a group, so that you have time to put what you learn into action, and for your private sessions with our instructors.
BodyMagick Temple Showcase Paid Show

Showcases are share of the door, where all performers receive a portion of show profits. Travel and accommodation for Portland are not included.
Professional Stage Photos

A selection of digital photos you may use for future promo.
Commemorative Print

1 8x10" print of your choice from your stage performance.
Professional Stage Video

A professional video of your act suitable for submitting with show applications and for promo usage.
Celebration Gathering

Following our show we'll gather to watch our videos, cheer for each other some more and celebrate you for stepping into this new space!

Join Burlesque 101 in Portland

Start your Burlesque journey today!

BodyMagick Burlesque 101
In-person

$1,236

Paid over several months. The earlier you join, the more months payments are spread across.

The link will take you to a calendar for the start date of the series -- this how we limit registrations. You will be enrolled in all classes for the series.

Join Now

In Person Initiation Timing

You will receive access to the online classroom upon registration so that you may begin preparing to perform. In addition to the main topic listed for each meeting, we will have movement training and answer your act and Burlesque questions.

A sample flow of the series is listed below. The Glam Shot Photos for Winter 2027 are Sunday, February 21. Our photographer travels from out of town, so makeups are difficult and may require booking another photographer.

Please message info(at)bodymagicktemple.com if you have any concerns about the Glam Shot date, or other schedule questions.

Before Series Start -- Zoom to Discuss Ideas and Answer Questions
Week 1 -- Welcome, Act Development, Basic Burlesque Movements, Eva D's 4Ps of Striptease
Week 2 -- Music Mapping & Act Development
Week 3 -- Costuming
Week 3 -- Swank Sale with local vendors of sparkly bits around this week, on a weekend
Week 4 -- Stage Makeup & Hair
Week 5 -- Movement Instruction/Act Check Ins
Week 6 -- Glam Shot Photos on a weekend, not usual meeting day
Week 7 -- Work Week/Private Sessions
Week 8 -- Work Week/Private Sessions
Week 9 -- Group Workshopping
Week 10 -- Work Week/Private Sessions
Week 11 -- Work Week/Private Sessions
Week 12 -- Group Workshopping/Professionalism/What's Next
Show Time!
Celebration - 4-6 weeks following the Showcase. Date will be determined with series participants.

Needed for Initiations:

Makeup Kit (own or as recommended by instructors)
Performance Costume
Rehearsal space of some sort
Time set aside each week for watching the videos, and for act development, costume work, makeup & hair play
Willingness to take risks and have fun in a new way!

Frequent Instructors

Instructors for specific series may vary, depending on their availability.

Eva D'Luscious

Movement, Professionalism,

Series Management

Eva D’Luscious has been bumping and grinding the patriarchy away since 2010. Focused on building community and celebrating all expressions of sensuality, her students dubbed her the Godmother of Glitter.

Eva has performed at the Edmonton Burlesque Festival, New Orleans Nerdlesque Festival, Oregon Burlesque Festival, Tease-O-Rama, Burning Man, The Edwardian Ball, Hubba Hubba Revue, and is a cast member of West Coast's longest running weekly show, Sinferno Cabaret.

She produces Burlesque shows in the Pacific Northwest, including Whole Lotta Love Burlesque Tribute to Led Zeppelin, and guides monthly online New Moon Circles and in-person JourneyDances.

Temera Titty

Movement & Music Mapping

The Rose City's Titillating Tease, Burleseque performer and hosTITs, Temera Titty has been serving up cheese and cheek on stages across the world!

Temera performs, hosts, and produces shows regularly in Portland, Oregon’s prolific burlesque scene. Her performances have been selected by the Oregon Burlesque Fest, Booklovers Burlesque Fest, Metalesque Fest, Texas Metalesk Fest, and the Pacific Northwest Burlesque Fest.

She's performed internationally at the Kootney Burlesque Fest (Nelson, BC, Canada) and the Vicenza Burlesque Festival (Vicenza, Italy). Often blending goofy with glamorous to bring a comedic twist to the stage, Temera won the “ROBBED!” judges choice award at the 2024 Portland Comedy Pageant.

Force Majeure

Costuming

Force Majeure, is an award-winning and title-holding burlesque performer and costumer, a transgender human, and above all, a passionate artist. They have performed burlesque for 7 years, but sewing for decades!

They delight in empowering all performers to create the art they want to with the skills they need to do it.

A recent transplant to Portland, Force formerly taught many classes through the Metro Detroit Burlesque Academy, including pattern drafting, headdress construction, costume cohesion, and more.

Trishky Business

Hair and Make-Up

Trishky has been performing in one way or another since they were seven years old. A graduate of BodyMagick Temple 101 and 201+ Series and frequent Teasettes performer, they are thrilled and forever grateful to have found the BodyMagick Community.

Trishky will be our Hair Design and Make-Up Artist for the BQ101 Series. Trishky is an award-winning, published and trained artist, licensed by Northwest College of Beauty and certified by Bobbi Brown Cosmetics as well as Christian Dior Artistry.

In class, you’ll learn the fundamentals of what makes great hair and make-up for the stage, and techniques to create the looks you desire yourself. Trishky loves teaching and is excited to work with you!

Luna Phaze

Movement, Storytelling & Act Development

Hailing from the sexy side of the moon, Luna Phaze continues to enchant her audiences with her signature blend of glamour, sensuality, and sparkle.

As the High Priestess of Fluff at the BodyMagick Temple, she is revered for her intricate costuming, unapologetic love of rhinestones and talent in uplifting new performers.

She performs regularly in Portland, and has also appeared at many music and art festivals including SOAK, Burning Man and Enchanted Forrest.

Luna helps students refine their act concept and choreography, develop storytelling skills and connect with their creative joy and expression so you shine on stage!

Rockabilly Barbie

Glam Shot Photographer

The Rockabilly Barbie has been modeling for over two decades and her love of the pinup lifestyle and dance led her into Burlesque; where she’s now been producing and performing since 2022!

She’s performed all over Seattle, Spokane, Portland, Denver, Las Vegas and Hollywood, and on stage with Macklemore and Sir Mix-a-lot!

Barbie’s hands on, posing workshop covers learning some of your best angles, learning poses that fit your style and character, while incorporating classic burlesque and pinup poses you can use for future photo shoots and incorporate into your acts. Use your images for your portfolio, show promotion, and even merch if desired!

Performing

When you complete the Initiation you're eligible to perform in a BodyMagick Temple Showcase in Portland, OR.

Our Showcases are paid performances, which isn't something we experienced when we started and still isn't common for student debuts. All performers receive a share of the door and include stage video and professional photos.

If you cannot come to Portland, we will help you apply to your local shows. We can't speak for other producers on bookings, but we'll guide you through the submission process and tell them why we recommend you.

Join Burlesque 101 in Portland

Start your Burlesque journey today!

BodyMagick Burlesque 101
In-person

$1,236

Paid over several months. The earlier you join, the more months payments are spread across.

The link will take you to a calendar for the start date of the series -- this how we limit registrations. You will be enrolled in all classes for the series.

Join Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need dance or performance experience to take BodyMagick Burlesque 101?

Nope! We've created BodyMagick Burlesque 101 to meet each student where they're at. Some have years of stage training, some are totally new. Burlesque has space for everyone and our goal is to give you the skills and support to create a debut you're proud to share.

How often do you offer Burlesque 101 in Portland, OR?

We offer BodyMagick Burlesque 101 in Portland, OR, about twice a year, usually Winter and Late Summer. Join the Waitlist to be notified when series are open for registration, and for info on Early Bird discounts.

Do I need an act idea to join BodyMagick Burlesque 101?

Nope! We'll help you there too, but a great start for inspiration is to attend online and local Burlesque shows, and watch videos. BodyMagick Temple offers many shows in Portland, OR. Please say hi to our producers and production team if you come out!

Is BodyMagick Temple LGBTQ+ friendly and body-positive?

Absolutely. BodyMagick Temple is a body-positive, inclusive dance community welcoming all bodies, experience levels, and gender identities. Our classes celebrate bold women, fab femmes, creative weirdos and sassy witches of every background. Our instructors and community leaders hold a variety of identities.

Do you offer trades or special pricing?

Trades aren't available at this time, but we are building a scholarship fund to assist marginalized groups, including single parents. When available, we provide partial scholarships for the cost of the series. Please contact us if you're interested in this.

I'm not sure that I'm ready for BodyMagick Burlesque 101, are there other options to get started?

Yes! We offer an online INTRO TO BURLESQUE MINI-COURSE that covers burlesque history, basic burlesque movements, Eva D'Luscious's 4Ps of Striptease framework, plus curated playlists of inspiring acts to spark your creativity. It's a nice intro to Burlesque, done on your time and in your space, if you're curious but aren't sure about performing or taking classes online or in-person.

We also offer Teasettes Group Burlesque Acts in Portland, OR where we teach you a choreography and you perform in a quarterly showcase. Teasettes Group Acts are a fun way to meet people and try performing Burlesque while gaining some dance and stage skills. These series fill very quickly, so it's best to JOIN THE WAITLIST to receive first notification when registration opens up.

Another option are PRIVATE 1:1 CLASSES in Portland, OR, and you can bring a friend to explore Burlesque together!