1. What is your stage name?

The Ethereal Peach Phryne

2. How did you come up with your stage name?

Someone called me ethereal one time and I liked the meaning so it stuck with me. I love the color peach and it kinda embodies my personality, plus my defining feature is my butt, which is popularly depicted by the peach emoji. Phryne was the name of an Ancient Greek courtesan who is famous for getting out of being sentenced to death by the courts by showing off her perfect breasts. In Greek times, they believed that the gods showed goodness through beauty, and that someone as perfectly formed as Phryne must inherently be good and it would be wrong to sentence her to death. Not to mention no one wanted to waste a good pair of tits.

I find this hilarious and believe that it embraces the bizarre nature of burlesque.

3. What style of burlesque do you perform?

I intend for my acts to embody the joy of performance and the silliness of being on stage. I do comedy, singing, and dancing. I’m taking a couple of different specialized dance classes that I would eventually like to work into my routines, including pole and chair work.

4. What makes you want to perform?

I have been a performer pretty much all my life in a variety of different types of performance. I think the energy you get from an audience when you are on stage is really special and I think forming a bond with the other performers during the process is such an intimate and fulfilling experience. The performance aspect is always great, but it’s working with the other artists along the way that truly makes it worthwhile.

5. Do you do a solo or group act?

I usually prefer group acts because I love to collaborate and work off of others’ energy.

6. How long have you been a burlesque performer?

I’m just getting started with burlesque this year, but I’ve been performing in various forms since high school.

7. What is your favorite costume or thing to wear on stage?

I actually really think knee pads are not only useful, but so sexy. I am choreographing some dances that use knee pads during performance for this exact reason. I’ve also become very fond of fishnets.

8. Do you make your own costumes?

It depends on the needs of the piece, but most of the things I use I make or alter in some way.

9. What are your top 3 go-to burlesque songs?

“I Don’t Wanna Show Off” from The Drowsy Chaperone is always fun, but I also like to do weird, kinda slow songs. I tend to pick songs after just randomly hearing them at the gym or in the car.

10. Do you have a special self care or beauty product you can’t live without?

So I will mention this since I just found out it existed and I wish I would have heard of it sooner, but if you have problems growing your eyebrows or eyelashes, consider investing in a serum! I had no idea that eyebrow serums existed and had given up hope, but they really do work! I like NourishBrow and WooLash.

11. What fascinates you about the art of burlesque?

Wikipedia defines a burlesque as “a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works, or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects.”

Burlesque was created as an act of rebellion, but one that anyone can enjoy and identify with. I try to preserve some of this traditional idea of burlesque in my works by creating things that are bizarre and humorous and never take themselves too seriously.

I think sometimes we all need to examine our ideas and take a moment to make fun of ourselves and the things around us, and to me modern burlesque combines this idea with body positivity and embracing sexuality.

12. How did you find out about burlesque?

On my first night moving back to Wyoming from living in Florida for an internship my friends took me to a burlesque show on New Years Eve. After seeing the show I was hooked! Once I finally had the extra time in my life I joined the moment I heard about a meeting from a friend.

13. What do you do to mentally prepare to perform?

I become very internal and goal oriented during the week or so leading up to a performance. I worry that sometimes others may find it off putting or rude because I am straight to the point and determined when I do interact with others, or I keep to myself because I’m usually thinking very hard about the upcoming show and whether or not everything is prepared. I definitely get into a very focused mode that can sometimes seem abrupt, and this is also true of any task I put myself to.

14. What is the most challenging thing about performing?

I think the most challenging thing about performing is letting go of some of the insecurities that are ingrained in us by society about what an attractive person looks like. We have to remember that attraction differs from person to person and everyone is beautiful in the unique way that they have been created.

15. What do you wish people knew about burlesque?

Burlesque is just about expressing yourself and having fun! Our group is full of wonderful performers who support each other and encourage each other to be their favorite self every day.

16. What is your favorite thing about being a burlesque performer?

I love learning and choreographing dance routines. I love burlesque that is funny and lighthearted, and I try to reflect that in my work.

17. What advice do you have for someone who wants to try it but is too nervous?

Burlesque is for everyone! No matter your gender identity, sexuality, size, anything. In this community we will not only welcome you, but we will celebrate you.