Burlesque is Hospitality
Velvet Curtains & Champagne Service: Why Every Burlesque Performer Needs Hospitality Skills to Build Their Fanbase
Burlesque is more than rhinestones, tassels, and fierce choreography—at its core, it’s a powerful experience designed to entertain, seduce, and connect. But in the pursuit of becoming unforgettable on stage, many performers overlook a golden rule of show business: the experience begins before you step into the spotlight and lingers long after the final bow. That’s where hospitality comes in.
Burlesque is Hospitality
Hospitality, in its truest form, is the art of making someone feel seen, cared for, and welcome. At its best, burlesque does precisely that. When you lock eyes with an audience member, offer a knowing wink, or tease the crowd into a roar, you’re providing more than entertainment—you’re offering connection. You’re making your guests feel part of something special.
From the cabaret clubs of Paris to the supper clubs of Las Vegas, burlesque has always been entangled with the hospitality industry. These venues thrive not just because of the glitter, but because of the vibe. Great lighting, attentive servers, curated cocktails, and engaging performers working in tandem create an immersive evening. And when performers understand hospitality, they become indispensable to that vibe.
Fan Experience = Guest Experience
Think of your audience not just as viewers but as guests. This mindset shift unlocks a new level of intention behind your performances. Are your fans being warmly greeted at the merchandise table? Do your social media posts reflect appreciation, not just self-promotion? Is your show persona welcoming and gracious, even when playing a villain or vixen?
Fans remember how you made them feel. When you make someone feel special, they come back. They bring friends. They tip more. They buy the VIP ticket. They follow your career and tell others to do the same.
5 Hospitality Tips to Elevate Your Burlesque Brand
1. Be Attentive to Detail
In hospitality, it's the small touches that create five-star memories. In burlesque, this might be remembering a fan’s name, offering a photo after the show, or personalizing your thank-you notes for fan clubs or Patreon supporters. That little extra? It sets you apart.
2. Set the Mood Before the Curtain Rises
Hospitality starts the moment a guest walks through the door. For a performer, this includes pre-show energy on social media, how you interact backstage, and how your outfit and demeanor are perceived upon entering the venue. You’re setting the tone, not just doing a set.
3. Build Relationships, Not Just Audiences
Top hospitality professionals know that loyalty is built on relationships. Engage with your audience on and off stage. Ask questions, reply to DMs, and spotlight fan art or comments. People want to feel like they know you, not just watch you.
4. Upsell the Experience, Not Just the Show
You’re not just a dancer—you’re an experience architect. Add value with post-show meet-and-greets, branded merch, themed nights, or signature cocktails. Think like a hotel: give people a reason to stay, spend, and share.
5. Handle Complaints with Grace
Not every interaction will be flawless. But hospitality teaches us to address discomforts with humility and empathy. Whether it’s a broken pastie or a missed message, how you handle the hiccups defines your reputation more than your flawless turns.
Burlesque as Guest Service Training
In truth, many performers are already offering a kind of VIP service without realizing it. However, by intentionally developing hospitality skills—such as active listening, emotional intelligence, and presentation awareness—you become more than just a performer. You become an experience curator.
Want more tips? Take notes from high-end restaurants and luxury hotels. How do they make guests feel welcome? How do they turn a visit into a memory? Imagine applying those same principles to your show and your fan engagement strategy.
Final Reveal: Hospitality Is Your Superpower
Whether you’re bumping and grinding in a dive bar or twirling on a Vegas stage, the performer who understands how to care for their audience beyond the stage wins every time. Hospitality transforms a show into a sanctuary, a night into a narrative, and a fan into a lifelong supporter.
Go ahead—smile like a maître d’, tease like a showgirl, and care like a concierge. Because in the world of burlesque, the best way to build your fanbase isn’t just sparkle. It’s a service.