PREFACE

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Burlesque is performance art.  Performance art is not only a form of entertainment but a form of expression and it will evoke emotions.

 

The Vermont Burlesque Festival is a gathering designed for like-minded performance artists to connect, learn from one another, and showcase their art. Through a variety of festival-provided tools, events, and opportunities, registered participants are equipped, empowered, and encouraged to evolve their craft and strengthen their portfolios. Furthermore, the festival consistently features headliners, registered attendees, and the visual arts to entertain the public through both free and ticketed events. Many events are intended for mature audiences. Content at the Vermont Burlesque Festival regularly contains adult themes, language, and forms of expression that will evoke emotion. That being said...

 

We believe our community and events should be truly open for everyone. As such, we are committed to providing an all inclusive, positive, fun, friendly, safe, and welcoming environment for all, regardless of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, religion, world views, body size, shape, or nationality. We encourage everyone to experience our event, to be open & understanding to various themes and expression, to be kind, to learn from one another, to appreciate each other, to appreciate our differences and different points of view, and to make friends. 

 

We invite all sponsors, speakers, attendees, media, performers, and all other participants or interested persons to help us continue to improve upon these beliefs & practices, and to guide us to realize a safe, educational, welcoming, fun, and positive experience for everyone involved.

 

Please read up on our Codes of Conduct for further information.

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We're here to entertain, to grow together, & to make the world a better place through the mediums of the performing arts, visual arts, and arts in general.

 

If you live by a similar doctrine, we welcome you to join us!

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BEFORE REGISTERING...

PLEASE FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH OUR PROCESS

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WHAT ACTS ARE WE LOOKING FOR???

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All performance artists who are looking to build on their portfolios are welcome to register.  With regards to acts that will be considered for the public main stages, we're looking for all types of live performance art (doesn't have to be strip tease) however, Burlesque (strip tease) and body positivity is kinda our main thing .  Calling all talented...

 

• Burlesque Performers

• Dancers

• Magicians

• Balloon Twisters

• Comedians

• Contortionists

• Hula Hoop Artists

• Mimes/Clowns

• Gymnasts

• Jugglers

• Puppeteers

• Group Acts

• Speed Artists

• Vaudeville

• Hypnosis Artists

• Bands/Musicians

• ALL LIVE PERFORMANCE ARTISTS.  Show us what you can do!
 

 

A FEW RULES WE LIVE BY:

•  You must be at least 18 years of age to apply to perform (its kinda a legal thing).

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•  No nudity! Pasties and panties folks - Cover your genitals!

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• No Fire (for indoor events - and most are indoors - It's January)

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• Props are highly encouraged but must be able to fit through a standard door or break down easily.  Set up and break down can not be more than 5 min. 

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• Fine glitter (fairy dust) is NOT allowed.  Maylar balloons, mylar confetti is NOT allowed. (Large glitter, paper confetti is ok)

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• Liquids/foods/anything that may require a clean up on isle 7 - needs to be brought to our attention ahead of time and may NOT touch or land on audience members.

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• You man not touch an audience member unless they have consented ahead of time and the festival's stage manager is aware of the consent.  Audience plants are recommended.

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•  Although longer acts will be considered in certain circumstances... Try to keep your act limited to no more than 5 minutes. 

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HOW ACTS GET ASSIGNED/JUDGED

Acts are judged based on performance quality, not video quality. While your act doesn't need to be perfect when submitted, it should be polished to be considered for a live, ticketed audience. Performances recorded in front of an audience are preferred, as they allow producers to gauge audience reactions. However, a video shot on your phone in your living room or studio is also acceptable. Producers primarily want to see and hear the act to understand its mood, genre, category, style, costuming, how the VTBF audience might react, whether it's well-executed, if it fits on stage, and if it's compliant with legal requirements.

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Soloists and groups/troupes may submit up to two separate acts within each registration. 

(We encourage you to take advantage of this)

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ENTRY / REGISTRATION FEE...

$45 per person = $1,010-$2,145 in event "perks".   ​

Entry / Registration Fee is non-refundable. 

 

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WHAT'S THE FEE PAY FOR? WHAT'S THE VALUE OF MY REGISTRATION?

In short, the registration fees collected pays for performer perks, services and amenities.

• Professional videographers.  Performers receive a HD video copy of their performance(s).

$60-$250 value (compared to standard local rates)

• Professional photographers.  Performers will receive digital photos of their performance(s).

$60-$250 value (compared to standard local rates)

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• Professional headshots/portraits for individual performers & groups.

$100-$200 value (compared to standard local rates)

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• A gift bag and official festival gift. (Available Upon On-site Staff/Performer Check-In)

$Priceless

• FREE ENTRY into EVERY FESTIVAL SHOWCASE  (Available Upon On-site Staff/Performer Check-In (some restrictions may apply on smaller venues depending on capacities & fire codes))

$215 - $400 value

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• FREE ENTRY into Keynote Address, Specific Discussion & Lecture Classes

$Priceless

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• Discounts on Classes

$5 per class savings

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• A Tassel Taxi - Free transportation for performers to major venues (not walk-able) on festival's major days.

$30 - $120 value (compared to Uber depending on location, time, and number of trips) 

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• Discounted Hotel Lodging at the festival's host hotel. (Typically about 20-50% off regular price)

$40-$200 savings (depending on booking time)

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• A staff/performer hospitality suite/lounge at the Host Hotel. (A place to hang before your room is ready or after you check out and wait for a flight)

$200-$400 (cost of 1 or 2 nights of lodging)

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• Backstage Finger Foods, Snacks, & Bottled Water at major festival venues and staff/performer hospitality suite/lounge

$300 (in snacks and beverages)

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TOTAL VALUE = $1,010 - $2,145 

(depending on how you utilize your registration perks)

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PREPARE THESE ITEMS IN ADVANCE BEFORE REGISTERING

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WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO APPLY...
 

 

• A desktop or laptop computer is highly recommended when filling out the application - Although it is possible, Tablets or mobile devices sometimes fail for unknown reasons (Tablet at your own risk).  

 

• A credit or debit card to process the $45 registration fee.

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• At least one high quality head shot or promotional image (portrait/tall/vertical, 300dpi if possible) ready to upload (jpg files please) (Name your file with your performer name. EXAMPLE: LukeWarm1.jpg or LukeWarm2.jpg

• An active link to your performance video(s). (YouTube, Vimeo, Etc. - If using youtube, make sure your video is not published as "private" but instead as "unlisted" or "public")

For a 2 minute tutorial on how to upload an "unlisted" video to YouTube and share it with us, click here.

• Have your music file ready to upload.  (High Quality Mp3 or Wav files - Name your file with your performer name and performance name EXAMPLE: LukeWarm_GirlsJustWanna_CindyLauper.mp3 

• A photo of your legal ID showing your legal name, photo, & birth date.

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• You will be asked to sign a liability waiver and a photo/video/webcast release.

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WE REALLY WANT YOU TO JOIN US!

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Remember, performance space is limited, especially in front of a ticketed audience.  But we welcome and really try to include everyone who applies to perform.  If we're unable to find a performance space for the act you submitted... VTBF producers will invite you to participate as a "supporting" or "alternate" performer and you will be offered stage time during a peer review.  Supporting and alternate performers will benefit from all the same perks as any other registered performer outside of performing in front of a ticketed (semi-public) audience.

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LAST FEW NOTES:​​

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The Glitter Family (Performance) -  Every registered performer is invited to join this group.  This group will learn choreography virtually and in advance of the festival to be rehearsed on site and performed on stage during an opening act of VTBF.  Registered performers can learn more about this in the Virtual Staff Guide once you've registered. 

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Right to Refuse - The producers of the Vermont Burlesque Festival reserve the right to refuse registration or attendance to any individual or group should any submission, group or individual violate its codes of conduct.

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If you have any other questions please visit our Q&A page by clicking here. 

 

If you still have questions please email vtbf.reggie@gmail.com

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OK, if you're ready to go, please proceed below register and submit your registration fee.