MAISON BURLESQUE SUMMER SCHOOL 2025
Looking for a burlesque fix these Summer Holidays? Maison Burlesque Summer School is BACK - and it’s BIGGER!
Covering not 1 but 2 weekends of summer, we are offering an online Summer School Schedule of 6 live-streamed lectures, as well as our regular 20 In-Studio workshops.
All Summer School workshops are open to all genders and all levels of experience.
Please note that workshops are coded as Low/Mod/High Physical Intensity - please be aware that High Intensity workshops are the most physically intensive, and likely to build up a SWEAT! If you have any questions regarding your suitability please contact us.
HOW IT WORKS:
Over three days we will be presenting 20 different two-hour length workshops with our resident tutors! This year we’re also presenting 6 of these workshops as an online option live-streamed from in-studio. All online workshops are recorded if you cannot attend live.
There are Early Bird discounts on passes for all 6 days and for Weekend passes.
It's first in best (un)dressed though, so the sooner you book the more likely you will get your first preferences.
PASSES AVAILABLE:
All Access Pass for In Studio Workshops:
- Attend all 20 (3 workshops per day over 3 days, including the Friday night makeup workshops with Ruby Slippers & Winter Greene)
- Regular Price: $800
Weekend Pass (Weekend 1 or Weekend 2) for In Studio Workshops:
- Choose one of our two weekends (3 workshops per day over 3 days, including the Friday night makeup workshop with either Ruby Slippers & Winter Greene)
- Regular Price: $425
6 Class Pass for In Studio Workshops:
- Choose 6 x 2 hour workshops on either Friday, Saturday or Sunday of weekend 1 or 2
- Regular Price: $300
3 Class Pass for In Studio Workshops:
- Choose 3 x 2 hour workshops on either Friday, Saturday or Sunday of weekend 1 or 2
- Regular Price: $165
Single workshops may become available for certain workshops in December - subject to availability if allocations aren't already exhausted.
- Regular Price: $60
3 Day Pass for Online LIVE-STREAMS:
- Get Live streamed access to all 6 of our online lectures over the 6 days. Please note these are live-streamed in-studio lectures as part of our In-Studio timetable. All online workshops are recorded if you cannot attend live.
3 x Online LIVE-STREAM Workshop Pass:
Got your eye on only a few of the live-stream lectures? Save a bit of coin and choose your favs in this 3 class pass! Please note these are live-streamed in-studio lectures as part of our In-Studio timetable. All online workshops are recorded if you cannot attend live.
Only want to catch up on a few online lectures? Book them individually to watch their live-stream.
READ BETWEEN THE LINES
Early Bird Catches the Worm!
Class numbers for in-studio workshops are strictly limited and subject to first in, best dressed - so why not book early and guarantee your spot in all your favourite workshops!
All Access & Weekend In-Studio Passes:
Please nominate your workshop preferences at the time of booking. We will then email you your program within 48 hours of receiving your registration.
We will attempt to keep the website as up to date as possible when workshops book out. Should your first choice of workshop no longer be available we will allocate you a place in the other workshop in the same timeslot.
THE IN-STUDIO TIMETABLE
Build your own program from these 20 fabulous workshops!
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★ 10am - 12pm ★
⋆ ‘Femme Fatale’ with Whisky Falls - MODERATE Intensity
Explore your own version of the archetype of the Femme Fatale with Whisky Falls.
Through a series of explorative acting and movement exercises, learn to embody the mysterious, beautiful, and seductive femme while adding movement dynamics and glares that would deem you fatal. Finish [him] off with some choreography, giving you the chance to find the femme fatale within, as long as you're willing to embrace it ;)
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★ 1pm - 3pm ★
⋆ ‘Breaking the Fourth Wall’ with Valerie ‘Va Va’ Valentine - LOW Intensity
(Live Stream Option Available)A dramatic technique of directly addressing your audience - Breaking the 4th Wall - is a fundamental of burlesque performance.
Join Valerie “Va Va” Valentine in a workshop spotlighting character, striptease and the essential inclusion of audience participation. Build on or level up your character, discuss and acknowledge your storyline in burlesque, communicate that both literally and through movement and how to establish some assisted striptease techniques.
⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆★ 3:30pm - 5:30pm ★
⋆ ‘A Chorus Line’ with Benjamin Curé- HIGH Intensity
Want to take your show girl/boy style more seriously?
Join professional choreographer and owner of Lion Heart Dance Company Benjamin Cure to learn how to showpony like a professional. Follow Ben's tailored warmup, footwork focused exercises and drills in striving for line and style excellence, before sharing the space with your fellow attendees to achieve the chorus line (and style!) of your dreams.
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★ 6:15pm - 8:15pm ★
⋆ ‘Showstopper Stage Makeup’ with Ruby Slippers- LOW Intensity
Learn glittering showgirl inspired stage makeup (suitable for all genders) with a focus on enhancing your features for the back row baby!
Make every pout, wink and twinkle in your eye sing with tips from serial makeup abuser and drag artist Ruby Slippers. Learn how to contour, highlight, define those brows, conquer fierce winged liner and create dazzling glitter lips!
Bring your full makeup kit.
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★ 10am - 12pm ★
⋆ ‘Fosse: And All That Jazz’ with Iva Grande - HIGH Intensity
Bob Fosse's iconic moves have become synonymous with jazz dance.
Join Iva Grande for an exploration of the history and classic moves such as “The Drip”, ‘The Rake’ & ‘The Mess Around’ from productions of Chicago, Sweet Charity & Cabaret, before putting it all together into a classic cabaret jazz number!
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★ 1pm - 3pm ★
⋆ ‘Party S3x Clown’ with Lauren Bok - MODERATE Intensity
(Live Stream Option Available)Join resident clown Lauren Bok to become the ultimate party rocker! Then add in large doses of sexiness and silliness and burlesque to achieve... you guessed it... Party S3x Clown realness!
This is your chance to master comedic techniques that will help create interesting audience interactions, all while commanding the stage with party attitude.
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★ 3:30pm - 5:30pm ★
⋆ ‘Drum Solo Choreography’ with Joanna Belly Dance - HIGH Intensity
Dum and Tek!
Feel the rhythm and energy of the darbuka drum, and come along to learn a high-energy belly dance drum solo choreography that covers various aspects of dance across Middle Eastern, North African, Hellenic & Turkish cultures. Feel empowered to express yourself through dance!
This workshop is perfect for dancers of all levels looking to sharpen their skills, challenge their stamina, and connect deeply within their bodies.
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★ 10am - 12pm ★
⋆ ‘Feather Fan Expressions’ with Poppy Cherry - MODERATE Intensity
Feather fans are a traditional burlesque prop with a rich history - and they also have an endless potential for creative expression.
Learn and explore the myriad of ways we can use fans on stage. Tap into Poppy Cherry's over 15 years experience in conceptualising creative fan dances for an exploration of styles, characterisation, improvisation and storytelling to create your unique style.
Suitable for newer and more experienced fan dancers alike. BYO fans if you have them - studio fans can also be supplied.
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★ 1pm - 3pm ★
⋆ ‘Branding For the Budding Performer’ with Joanna - LOW Intensity
(Live Stream Option Available)Are you an emerging or established solo performer, but unsure how to represent yourself?
Join Maison Burlesque's Social Media Manager Joanna for an engaging, informative and interactive workshop on "Branding for the Budding Performer". We will explore the art of self-branding and marketing strategies tailored for performers across the cabaret scope, where you’ll be guided through: defining your individual style, creating an online presence, fundamentals of branding and marketing, networking and creation of promotional content.
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★ 3:30pm - 5:30pm ★
⋆ ‘Reckless Abandon’ with Domino de Jour - MODERATE Intensity
Feel like you are holding back on stage?
This energetic workshop with Domino de Jour is designed to take your performing to the next level allowing you to fully embrace your performances and let go. Move beyond just repeating the choreography and bring your acts to the next level.
We will look at mindset exercises and drills to push our minds and movements to their full expression and embrace our stage personas and confidence in ways you have never thought you could.
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★ 10am - 12pm ★
⋆ ‘Alternative Artistry’ with Cora Noire - MODERATE Intensity
Finding your way through this exciting umbrella that is burlesque, but struggling to find the YOU in it?
Join Cora Noire in this explorative movement workshop, as they guide you through how to find alternative approaches, personas and artistry to the classic burlesque style.
This workshop will utilise dance, choreography and movement to help you create your own style, your own character and your own artistry within this ever-evolving creative space.
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★ 1pm - 3pm ★
⋆ ‘Get Your Act Together’ with Poppy Cherry & Whisky Falls - LOW Intensity
(Live Stream Option Available)Are you looking to begin your journey in solo burlesque performance? Or perhaps already performing but looking to hone your craft?
Join not one but TWO seasoned burlesque industry professionals Poppy Cherry & Whisky Falls and learn the necessary steps needed to develop your own performance work - from inspiration, to music, choreography, costume, concepting, developing, refining and more!
This is a perfect launchpad for students wishing to perform as part of Maison Burlesque's solo development program in 2025.
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★ 3:30pm - 5:30pm ★
⋆ ‘Genderbend Your Movement’ with Egson Ham - HIGH Intensity
Want to master the entire gender spectrum?
Join Egson Ham to work your sex, sexuality, and of course express yourself in all the ways that you want!
In this workshop focused on exploration of the spectrum of masculine-feminine movement, Egson will guide you through physicality, dance, dynamics and styles, and teach you how to manipulate them to produce any gender-bending joy that your heart desires!
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★ 6:15pm - 8:15pm ★
⋆ ‘Goreglam’ with Winter Greene - LOW Intensity
It's a stage glamour make-up class, but with a gory twist! Maybe you want to embrace your trash-lesque self, or maybe you just want to f*ck up your norm! Join our in-house alternative artsy goblin and makeup artist Winter Greene as they teach you the tools to mastering a grunge based glam makeup look, complete with fake rhinestoned cuts. Bring your full makeup kit. Rhinetones will be provided! -
★ 10am - 12pm ★
⋆ ‘Bimbo Burlesque’ with Iva Grande - HIGH Intensity
Description TBC.
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★ 1pm - 3pm ★
⋆ ‘Laban Technique for Burlesque’ with Willow J - LOW Intensity
(Live Stream Option Available)Add dynamics to your dance and more colour to your creations with this introduction to Laban Movement... but make it burlesque!
With the guidance of burlesque legend Willow J, explore one of the most important movement techniques used by dancers and actors alike.
Add pizzaz to your movement vocabulary with energy and variation by discovering how to put more 'Punch' into your Bumps, 'Slashes' to your strip,'Wrings' to your Grinds and 'Glides' to your Struts!
The benefits of this exploration will be demonstrated and explored through movement and striptease.
Wear some comfortable clothing that you can move in, and also bring an item of clothing you feel comfortable stripping out of - it could be gloves, a wrap skirt, or any costume piece that you already use.
Bring an item of clothing you feel comfortable stripping out of - it could be gloves, a wrap skirt, a costume piece you already use etc.⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆
★ 3:30pm - 5:30pm ★
⋆ ‘Classic Floor’ with Maple Rose - HIGH Intensity
Did you ever see Tempest Storm plonk her bum on the floor? Absolutely not! Well, its time to learn why and how!
Join Maple Rose as we explore how to get down and dirty like the burlesque legends of yesteryear. Explore the floor work stylings of the queens from the glory days with slides, rolls, kicks and drops, getting to that desired horizontal boogie without the need to be uber flexible or overtly sexual.
Bring your knee pads (also available to purchase at reception).
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★ 10am - 12pm ★
⋆ ‘Footwork & Rhythm’ with Domino de Jour - HIGH Intensity
We all love a strut and strip but sometimes we want to add some flare. This workshop leans on latin and ballroom footwork styles to identify rhythms in music and footwork patterns to express them,
Focused on improving technique and light and shade of feet movement. Domino takes you through the ropes for quick turns, sassy samba steps and cheeky cha chas.
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★ 1pm - 3pm ★
⋆ ‘Costumes in Context’ with Maple Rose - LOW Intensity
(Live Stream Option Available)Join the Queen of Classic, Maple Rose, in this workshop focusing on the origins and art of undressing!
Learn techniques & innovative ways to take off and tease key items of a burlesque performer’s wardrobe. This workshop also focuses on the historical context of why and how various garments have become fundamental to a burlesque performer's wardrobe. Throughout the workshop, you'll delve into the intricacies of strip tease techniques, mastering the art of revealing just enough to leave your audience craving more.
Bring whatever burlesque basic pieces you have for practical play (for example gloves, corset, bra).
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★ 3:30pm - 5:30pm ★
⋆ ‘Restore & Recover’ with Juniper Fox - LOW Intensity
Now it's time to rest after an intensive 6 days. But even rest requires a thoughtful approach.
This restorative workshop will draw from Juniper’s 10+ years of facilitating active, restorative & mindful, embodied movement modalities, with a particular focus on - self care, regulation, sleep & recovery, injury prevention & rehabilitation, movement & self massage techniques, as well as discussions around debunking common myths.
Bring a yoga mat.
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS
THE ONLINE TIMETABLE
All online workshops are recorded if you cannot attend live via Zoom!
Please note: all workshops are held in Australian Eastern Daylight Time.
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★ 1pm - 3pm AEDT ★
⋆ ‘Breaking the Fourth Wall’ with Valerie ‘Va Va’ Valentine - LOW Intensity
A dramatic technique of directly addressing your audience - Breaking the 4th Wall - is a fundamental of burlesque performance.
Join Valerie “Va Va” Valentine in a workshop spotlighting character, striptease and the essential inclusion of audience participation. Build on or level up your character, discuss and acknowledge your storyline in burlesque, communicate that both literally and through movement and how to establish some assisted striptease techniques.
-
★ 1pm - 3pm AEDT★
⋆ ‘Party S3x Clown’ with Lauren Bok - MODERATE Intensity
Join resident clown Lauren Bok to become the ultimate party rocker! Then add in large doses of sexiness and silliness and burlesque to achieve... you guessed it... Party S3x Clown realness!
This is your chance to master comedic techniques that will help create interesting audience interactions, all while commanding the stage with party attitude.
-
★ 1pm - 3pm AEDT★
⋆ ‘Branding For the Budding Performer’ with Joanna - LOW Intensity
Are you an emerging or established solo performer, but unsure how to represent yourself?
Join Maison Burlesque's Social Media Manager Joanna for an engaging, informative and interactive workshop on "Branding for the Budding Performer". We will explore the art of self-branding and marketing strategies tailored for performers across the cabaret scope, where you’ll be guided through: defining your individual style, creating an online presence, fundamentals of branding and marketing, networking and creation of promotional content.
-
★ 1pm - 3pm AEDT★
⋆ ‘Get Your Act Together’ with Poppy Cherry & Whisky Falls - LOW Intensity
Are you looking to begin your journey in solo burlesque performance? Or perhaps already performing but looking to hone your craft?
Join not one but TWO seasoned burlesque industry professionals Poppy Cherry & Whisky Falls and learn the necessary steps needed to develop your own performance work - from inspiration, to music, choreography, costume, concepting, developing, refining and more!
This is a perfect launchpad for students wishing to perform as part of Maison Burlesque's solo development program in 2025.
-
★ 1pm - 3pm AEDT★
⋆ ‘Laban Technique for Burlesque’ with Willow J - LOW Intensity
Add dynamics to your dance and more colour to your creations with this introduction to Laban Movement... but make it burlesque!
With the guidance of burlesque legend Willow J, explore one of the most important movement techniques used by dancers and actors alike.
Add pizzaz to your movement vocabulary with energy and variation by discovering how to put more 'Punch' into your Bumps, 'Slashes' to your strip,'Wrings' to your Grinds and 'Glides' to your Struts!
The benefits of this exploration will be demonstrated and explored through movement and striptease.
Wear some comfortable clothing that you can move in, and also bring an item of clothing you feel comfortable stripping out of - it could be gloves, a wrap skirt, or any costume piece that you already use.
Bring an item of clothing you feel comfortable stripping out of - it could be gloves, a wrap skirt, a costume piece you already use etc. -
★ 1pm - 3pm AEDT★
⋆ ‘Costumes in Context’ with Maple Rose - LOW Intensity
Join the Queen of Classic, Maple Rose, in this workshop focusing on the origins and art of undressing!
Learn techniques & innovative ways to take off and tease key items of a burlesque performer’s wardrobe. This workshop also focuses on the historical context of why and how various garments have become fundamental to a burlesque performer's wardrobe. Throughout the workshop, you'll delve into the intricacies of strip tease techniques, mastering the art of revealing just enough to leave your audience craving more.
Bring whatever burlesque basic pieces you have for practical play (for example gloves, corset, bra).