Hey there, fabulous! It’s time for a little heart-to-heart about something that’s been plaguing our community for far too long: performing for free. Yep, we’re about to get blunt, because you deserve better than being taken advantage of by producers who promise paid gigs in the future or try to guilt-trip you into performing for free at shows they boast are sold-out shows.
Let’s cut to the chase: performing for exposure or the promise of future paid work is a load of baloney (I was gonna put the sh*t word). Sure, it might seem tempting at first – after all, who doesn’t want to get their name out there and land that big break (does anyone actually know what the big break is)? But here’s the harsh reality: if a producer can’t afford to pay you for your time and talent now, what makes you think they’ll suddenly start shelling out cash in the future? Especially as they value you at ZERO right now, no matter what excuse they give.
And let’s not even get started on those sell-out shows where performers are expected to work for free. Newsflash: just because a show is popular doesn’t mean you should be expected to work for nothing. Your time, energy, and creativity are valuable, and you deserve to be compensated fairly for them, plain and simple.
Now, I know what some of you might be thinking: “But performing for free is a great way to build my brand and boost my ego!” Ah, there it is – the ego trap. Look, I get it – we all love a little applause and adoration. But here’s the thing: if you’re basing your worth as a performer solely on how many likes you get on Instagram or how loud the crowd cheers, you’re selling yourself short, damn short.
Performing for free might stroke your ego in the short term, but in the long run, it’s a recipe for burnout and resentment. Plus, it perpetuates the idea that burlesque performers should be grateful for any scraps thrown their way, which couldn’t be further from the truth.
And let’s not forget about those producers who think it’s okay to produce shows without paying all their performers. Newsflash: these producers are bad for burlesque. They’re devaluing our art form and exploiting the very people who make their shows possible. It’s time we held them accountable and demanded better. And let’s talk about those sell-out shows where everyone’s making a killing except for the performers. It’s time to stop glamorising this nonsense. If a producer can afford to fill a venue to the brim, they can afford to pay their performers. End of story.
If that producer claims they aren’t making money, but in fact a loss hence why they cant pay you… that is not OK either. News flash: that’s not how running a business works. The UK government isn’t in the business of subsidising your vanity projects, and neither should we.
So, to all my fellow burlesque performers: know your worth, demand to be paid what you deserve, and don’t fall for the old tricks of performing for free in exchange for empty promises. Together, we can create a burlesque community that values and respects each and every performer. It’s time to take a stand – who’s with me?
*deathly silence as another performer signs up to work for free*
