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The Shanghai Pearl travels widely to perform and teach. She created the popular DIY Showgirl series in 2007 and has brought her unique selection of classes to festivals and conventions nationwide.

Her courses range from fun, craft classes to theater workshops that focus on character building and stage presence. The Shanghai Pearl is available for group and private instruction for performers and non-performers alike.

DIY Showgirl Classes:

Character Classes:

Theory Classes

  • Loving Yourself and Your Audience: The Unselfish Performer
  • Power, Pleasure, and Meaning in Burlesque

The Shanghai Pearl began her teaching career Miss Indigo Blue’s Academy of Burlesque in 2007.

With The Academy of Burlesque she has taught the following courses:

  • Burlesque 101
  • Burlesque 202
  • Art of the Tease
  • Taste of the Tease
  • How to Strip for your Lover
  • Walking in Heels
  • Tassel Twirling
 

DIY Showgirl

For Your Eyes Only! Make Your Own Custom Eyelashes

Learn to create eyelashes as unique and fabulous as you are! Elegant, wild, or extravagant, the sky's the limit in this fun and exciting new class in my DIY Showgirl series. The class is a mix of discussion, lecture, and hands on practice. You will learn how to assemble a beautiful new set of custom lashes as well as how to apply them. Class cost of $40 includes all supplies to make a pair of custom lashes. There will be no shortage of feathers, rhinestones, sequins, and glitter. You are welcome to bring projects you are working on for guidance.

DIY Showgirl

Headdresses, Fascinators, and YOU!

Learn the difference between Coque and Nandu! Learn how to curl and shape feathers as well as the basic building blocks to creating a fabulous headdress or hair ornament!

Class is mix of lecture, hands on practice, discussion, and display.

DIY Showgirl

Burlesque Costuming 101

Learn tips and tricks to creating your own dazzling burlesque costume! Class is mix of lecture, hands on practice, discussion, and display.

DIY Showgirl

Merkins 101 or Get More Naked!

Be more naked! Learn how to make a G-string from scratch and learn valuable tips on how to make (and wear) a Merkin.

Class is a mix of lecture, discussion, and display. Students are encouraged to bring current projects for Q&A and guidance.

Character Class

Drama Queen

Owning the Stage through Embodied Presence and Grace

Explore Burlesque’s roots and the necessity of Theatricality in contemporary performances. Strengthen performances by pushing our boundaries with a focus on presence and poise. Be a more polished performer with intentional choices in walks, facial expressions, and body positioning.

Character Class

Funny Girl

This class is a must for anyone who wants to explore the Funny Girl (or Boy!) in each of us. We will discuss humor’s significance throughout Burlesque’s history and the importance of humor in contemporary performances. We will work on idea generation, facial expressions, and theatricality.

Students are encouraged to wear comfortable, easy to move in clothes. Bring pen and paper as well as acts/ideas you would like to add elements of humor to.