Workin' the Tease: The Art of Baltimore Burlesque 

Workin The Tease: The Art of Baltimore Burlesque,  an exhibition in conjunction with a “Best of Baltimore: Night of Burlesque” opening night performance, celebrates Baltimore burlesque through the perspectives of both historical and contemporary performers. Curated by the Exhibition
 Development Seminar (EDS) at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), Workin’ the Tease opens
 at the Lyric Opera House in April. This exhibition presents burlesque in the theater, paying homage to burlesque’s beginnings in Baltimore. The acts from these performance artists make connections between historical traditions and contemporary practice. 

Exhibition Development Seminar 

Initiated in 1997 by Maryland Institute College of Art’s Curator-in-Residence George Ciscle, MICA’s Exhibition Development Seminar (EDS) is sequenced in two consecutive semesters with students from MICA’s undergraduate, graduate, and continuing studies divisions, and from other area colleges and universities. The goal of EDS is to examine the curatorial process and explore new ways to engage artists, students, museums, galleries, and the Baltimore community. It provides students with the opportunity to be involved with and assume leadership in every aspect of a major exhibition, including research, planning, and production. After dividing into teams, students collaborate with one another and their mentors in order to bring the exhibition to life. Through this process, they gain both technical skills and invaluable experiences from extensive hands-on curatorial work.

Our Performers 

From Left to Right, by row. 

Trixie and the Evil Hate Monkey, Doctor Ginger Snapz, Dolly Longlegs, Gigi Holliday, Hot & Bothered, Kay Sera, Maria Bella, Mourna Handful, Paco Fish, Shortstaxx, Sunny Sighed & Bal'd Lightning, Tapitha Kixx, Valeria Voxx, Stage Kitten Cherie Nuit

The Impact

Baltimore burlesque has evolved in step with the city’s history. During the Golden Age of Burlesque in the first half of the 20th century,, the section of East Baltimore Street referred to as The Block was home to a thriving burlesque scene, composed of clubs like the Pussycat Club, The Gayety, Club Charles, and The Chanticleer. The success of Burlesque on the Block was attributed to the dynamic mix of social classes in club audiences and a strong police presence.

As burlesque gradually lost its audience to movies, television, and other forms of entertainment, The Block transformed into an area that was more known for its strip clubs and sex shops. Nudity was more commonplace, and typical performances became more about the removal of clothes than narrative, satire, or other elements of the traditional burlesque act. The ascendancy of hardcore pornography and the growth of the feminist movement eventually contributed to the demise of burlesque.

In recent years, as Baltimore’s arts and theater culture has begun to take on a DIY aesthetic, burlesque has seen a revival, moving into new spaces and venues. Currently, Baltimore burlesque is indicative of the inclusive and accessible culture of the city through its multiples genres and diverse performers. This current resurgence has jump-started an entire sub-culture, including niche genres such as queerlesque, boylesque, side show, and vaudeville, all of which continue to thrive in Baltimore today.

This exhibition presents burlesque in the theater, paying homage to burlesque’s beginnings in Baltimore. The acts from these performance artists make connections between historical traditions and contemporary practice. historical roots to its contemporary practice. 

Our Partners 

Sean Scheidt

Press

The Washington Post

Baltimore Post-Examiner 2/27/2014

Baltimore Post-Examiner 3/4/2014

City Paper

MICA Juxtapositions

Night of Burlesque - April 22

"The Best of Baltimore"

Join us at the Modell Lyric, April 22nd for the Best of Baltimore burlesque show. This exciting event showcases the best of Baltimore burlesque and opens the exhibition Workin’ the Tease: The Art of Baltimore Burlesque. Tracing the history of burlesque from the Golden Age in the mid 20th century to contemporary performance, Workin’ the Tease celebrates burlesque through the Best of Baltimore performers.

Hosted by Baltimore classics, Trixie Little and The Evil Hate Monkey, here are the Best of Baltimore performers:

Gigi Holiday

Maria Bella

Shortstaxx

Tapitha Kix

Sunny Sighed and Bal’d Lighting

Paco Fish

Valeria Voxx

Dolly Longlegs

Mourna Handful

Doctor Ginger Snapz

Kay Sera

Hot and Bothered

Cherie Nuit, Stage Kitten

Workin’ the Tease: The Art of Baltimore Burlesque opens at 5pm. Doors for the Best of Baltimore open at 7pm.

Reserve your tickets here!

VIP Experience 

Donate $15 and you'll receive recognition and a thank you on our website.

Donate $25 and receive a handwritten card and acknowledgement on our website of your support for "Workin' the Tease."

Donate $50 and receive two exclusive seating tickets to our Night of Burlesque and special recognition of your contribution to "Workin' the Tease" on our website. 

Donate $100 and receive four exclusive seating tickets to our Night of Burlesque and special recognition of your contribution to "Workin' the Tease" on our website.  

Donate $200 and receive our VIP Experience which includes an exclusive sneak peak of our "Workin' the Tease" exhibition with private tour lead by the EDS curators with performer meet and greet. Wine and dine with light food and drink at our VIP reception and then enjoy the Night of Burlesque with two exclusive tickets in our box seats. 

Donate $500 and receive our VIP Package which includes an exclusive sneak peak of our "Workin' the Tease" exhibition with private tour lead by the EDS curators with performer meet and greet. Wine and dine with light food and drink at our VIP reception and then enjoy the Night of Burlesque with eight tickets in your own private box seats. 

Donate $1000 and receive the VIP Package and a collection of Limited Edition of the signed Globe Poster Workin the Tease Posters that includes a group poster signed by all performers and stage kitten and each individually signed performer poster!

Thank you for your generous support! 

The Exhibition Development Seminar Class of 2014

Reserve your Night of Burlesque tickets here!