Confidence or Disrespect?
In contrast, some women feel that Burlesque is demeaning and disrespectful to the female gender. Anti-Burlesque women, feel that performers are allowing men to focus on the women's body rather than the intellect she has to offer. Anti-Burlesque women, are convinced that burlesque is centered on male pleasure. These disapproving women feel that there is no artistic merit to burlesque. They feel burlesque is sexualizing women, something not appropriate in our culture.
In the Charles H. McCaghy Collection, anonymous performers were interviewed about all aspects of the burlesque profession. Many performers revealed that they have gained confidence throughout their years as performers. They enjoyed the control they have over their body and the impact performers can make on the audience members through their movement and voice. In a 2014 BBC article, Eliza DeLite, a rising international burlesque performer, states "It's about what you are NOT showing, and teasing the audience with fabric and costumes." (Hess). The art form is not centered on becoming naked but more the power and process of removing clothing. Many performers do not get completely nude until the last scene of an act or performance. Since, the art form is about the teasing, and NOT showing of the body, this gives the performer power and influence over the audience.
Since the beginning of burlesque, comedy has been the foundation of burlesque, not stripping. An article in the Los Angeles Times in 1967 quotes Ann Corio, a performer credited with the revival of burlesque, stating, “"Comedy,"...always has been the heart of Burlesque, a highly respectable form of entertainment a hundred years ago. The stripping came later" (Coe). The foundation of burlesque is in the voice of the performer and the comedy throughout the show and acts, not the stripping aspect. Through costume teasing and comedic voice, women on stage are gaining confidence in themselves and portraying the ability of a confident women.
In the McCaghy Collection, roughly 50% of the performers interviewed discussed sharing their career choice with their family, friends, and significant others. Interviewed performers stated that they received lots of support and many had stable family lives at home. They are not ashamed to talk about their career choices and do not feel there is anything morally wrong with being a burlesque performer. In the interviews, many of the anonymous performers discussed that they are able to make a lot more money being in show business than they would working other female typical jobs of the time (factory worker, secretary, teacher, etc.). The performers stated making $250-$500 a week depending on their skill level, experience, and location. These women performers feel empowered that they are pursuing a career to provide for themselves and their families.
Some women feel that burlesque is a demeaning art form that poorly portrays the female gender. From their point of view, burlesque is for the pleasure of men. In the past, promotional activity for burlesque was presented primarily to the male audience through magazines, and tobacco cards. The promotional pictures portray women in revealing clothing that would catch the male gaze. Many women felt that burlesque dancers did not support their woman equality messages because these women were making money off their body and nudity only. Anti-Burlesque women felt dancers did not need their brain or intellect to be a burlesque performer. They did not see burlesque as an art form that took training, skill, or knowledge. Burlesque was often associated with prostitution and making money with the body.
Works Cited:
Hess, John. "New Burlesque: Is It Empowering or Demeaning to Women? - BBC News." BBC News. N.p., 12 Feb. 2014. Web. 30 Nov. 2015.
McCaghy, Charles and James Skipper. Binder of interviews. Series 6, Box 7. Charles H. McCaghy Collection of Exotic Dance from Burlesque to Clubs. Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theater Research Institute, Ohio State University Libraries, Columbus, OH. 10 Nov. 2015.
Coe, R. L. (1967, Dec 19). Ann, burlesque---stripped for action. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/155824756?accountid=9783
Hess, John. "Eliza DeLite's Full Length BBC Interview - Nov 2013." Video. YouTube. YouTube, 22 Mar. 2014. Web. 30 Nov. 2015.
