Sorry to the readers if the title was clickbait for you, just to clarify; I was actually not a performer. My job at this particular show was to stand on a crate behind the light booth and control a spotlight when needed. Full disclosure, I didn’t have to do it all that often in the span of the almost 4 hour show. However, since I was not heavily concentrated on a job, I was able to watch the show and the other performers interact.
While the show was 18 years and older, Burlesque is not just about taking off clothes. It’s an art form, a culmination of everything for which theater stands. It incorporates comedy, dancing, song, and costuming. It’s a night of art, teasing, and fun for everyone involved.Â
This specific night was called “Illuminatease”, a Halloween themed event. There were many fantastic performances, from scary American Horror Story, to Psycho Killer to gorgeous Beetle Juice. The costumes, makeup and hilarious MC’s made the whole night an unforgettable experience. I’ve never seen a group of performers show so much genuine love towards each other. I was a dancer and then worked in the dance circuit. While there is also love in that end of performing, it was nothing like the camaraderie and support these performers showed each other. Â
The troupe that put this night together is called Cleveland Burlesque. It is owned by Bella Sin, a non-binary, Mexican-American immigrant and an awe inspiring person. Sin has countless awards and recognitions under their belt. Including “One of Cleveland’s Most Interesting People 2011” and the running title of Cleveland Burlesque Queen. They are the Executive Producer of Ohio International Burlesque Festival for its entire duration so far (10 years and counting).
With how immersed they are in the performing world, it only makes sense that Sin also owns their own makeup line called Haus of Sin. The website features an inspiring mission statement, “Make-up is a non-gendered tool of iconography and self-expression that everyone should use to empower themselves. You are beautiful. You are valid. You are enough.” Haus of Sin is an all inclusive brand that has every thing from lipsticks, to liquid liners, to eyelashes to shimmer. Having worked previously as a makeup artist for some big brands (Sephora, Ben Nye, Morphe, Dior, and Estee Lauder to name a few) they understand the struggles BIPOC people can have finding makeup that works for them. Sin’s specific area of expertise, in addition to theater, SFX, and drag makeup, is being able to match foundations to BIPOC skin. Another thing that is an important aspect of their business is making sure all of the products are ethically sourced with good working conditions.
Sin has also advocated for the abolition of “fatphobia”. Recently it has been a hot topic in the media and Sin was quick to advocate for all body types, especially those who are considered plus size. Her advocacy spans not to just drag and burlesque performing, but in all aspects, on and off the stage.
I have seen the main focus of Burlesque be [white] performers and … a [white] plus size perfomer is added for diversity
@bellasincle on instagram
Being a plus size performer and also a proud Latin American, this topic of Fatphobia hits close to home. Sin says they will continue to advocate for change until their voice along with the voice of all other nonwhite plus size performers voices are heard.
Illuminatease was the first time we had ever met. That didn’t matter though, Sin made me feel as if we’d known each other for forever. Sin makes sure everyone feels welcomed and included and most importantly that they had fun. One of their favorite aspects (besides performing of course) is being one of the MC’s for the night. The interaction with the crowd makes Sin’s face absolutely light up, cracking jokes and laughing with them in between acts.
Overall the cheers and laughs from the audience made it clear that the show was a hit. Every performer was beaming from a job well done, as they packed up and left. The next item on the agenda for Sin and some of her performers is Burlycon, a Burlesque Arts Education convention, in which performers from all over attend seminars and make connections. Sin is one of the speakers this year, as well as involved in other ways.
Author Grace Fette