Chicago Burlesque Classes for Beginners, Performers & Confidence
Build Confidence. Learn Burlesque. Discover a Version of Yourself You Haven’t Met Yet.
For more than twenty years, Red Hot Annie has helped complete beginners, performers, artists, professionals, and curious first-time students discover burlesque as both an art form and a practice of confidence.
These weekly Chicago burlesque classes combine movement, stage presence, musicality, storytelling, creativity, and classic burlesque technique in a welcoming environment where everyone begins exactly where they are.
No dance experience required.
No auditions.
No pressure to perform.
Just curiosity.
Looking for a burlesque class in Chicago where complete beginners can start without auditions or previous dance experience?
Annie’s Sunday drop-in class is designed so you can begin any week, whether you want confidence, creative expression, performance skills, or simply something new.
Weekly Chicago Burlesque Classes
Every Sunday
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Crafty Cats
3713 W Division St.
Chicago, IL
$40 Drop-In Class
Choose your next step
TRY IT · Sunday Drop-In · $40
One live two-hour class. Beginner-friendly. No pressure to perform.
BUILD IT · Foundations · $222
Four live Sunday sessions within six weeks. Your first $40 Sunday counts toward Foundations, so if you continue after class, the remaining balance is $182. Build presence, audience connection, movement, confidence, and the beginnings of your own performance language. Performing is optional.
Start with your first Sunday →
GO DEEPER · Private Direction · from $495
For a specific act, concept, or performance problem that wants concentrated one-on-one direction.
Explore Private Artist Development →
Most students attend their first class alone, and most have never taken a burlesque class before.
Why These Chicago Burlesque Classes Are Different
Many dance classes focus primarily on learning choreography.
These classes certainly teach burlesque technique, but they also develop something that extends well beyond the studio.
Students build:
- Confidence
- Stage presence
- Musicality
- Creativity
- Expressive movement
- Storytelling
- Performance skills
- Body awareness
- Comfort being fully seen
People join for many different reasons.
Some have always dreamed of performing.
Some want a creative outlet after spending years focused on everything except themselves.
Some want to reconnect with movement.
Some simply want to try something they have never done before.
There is no single right reason to begin.
Only your own.
Students regularly travel from Logan Square, Wicker Park, Humboldt Park, Ukrainian Village, Bucktown, Lincoln Park, Andersonville, Ravenswood, Oak Park, and surrounding Chicago neighborhoods to attend class.
If you are curious about the art form itself before walking into the studio, start with What Is Burlesque?
What You’ll Learn in a Burlesque Class
Every Sunday class blends practical instruction with creative exploration.
Each session stands on its own, so you can begin any week.
Classes often include:
- Classic burlesque technique
- Elegant walking and posture
- Stage presence
- Musical interpretation
- Character development
- Expressive movement
- Choreography
- Improvisation
- Storytelling through movement
- Audience connection
- Confidence-building exercises
- Professional performance skills
The goal is not to become someone else.
The goal is becoming more comfortable making intentional choices as yourself.
Burlesque is a much larger performance tradition than any one movement or technique. If you want the deeper context, read The History of Burlesque: From Vaudeville to Modern Performance.
Who These Classes Are For
These classes are a strong fit if you are looking for:
- Beginner burlesque classes in Chicago
- Burlesque dance lessons
- Adult dance classes
- Confidence-building movement
- Creative self-expression
- Stage presence coaching
- Performance training
- Cabaret movement
- A welcoming artistic community
Whether you are preparing for a stage or simply exploring something new, you are welcome to begin where you are.
More Than a Dance Class
Burlesque has always been about more than costumes and choreography.
At its best, it teaches presence.
How to walk into a room without disappearing inside it.
How to make a choice and let it register.
How to understand timing.
How to notice where attention is going.
How to enjoy being seen instead of automatically retreating from it.
Students often notice those skills showing up outside the studio too: in work meetings, public speaking, creative projects, auditions, relationships, and ordinary daily life.
The confidence does not have to stay inside the studio.
Meet Red Hot Annie
Red Hot Annie has spent more than two decades performing, directing, producing, and teaching within Chicago’s burlesque community.
She is the founder of Vaudezilla, creator of immersive theatrical worlds including The Pink Hotel, and has taught hundreds of students ranging from complete beginners to experienced performers.
Her work has included performance, teaching, live entertainment, production, immersive experience design, and creative direction.
Burlesque made Annie a performer.
Producing made her a builder.
Over time, the work became increasingly about something larger: how to direct attention, emotion, characters, rooms, audiences, participation, and memory.
Curious where that work has gone beyond the classroom? Explore Creative Direction →
Already a Performer?
If you already have performance experience and are developing an act, character, or larger body of work, you may need something more focused than a general Sunday class.
Annie also works privately with performers who want individual creative direction around:
- Act development
- Character
- Costume and reveal structure
- Musical interpretation
- Stage presence
- Storytelling
- Audience relationship
- Professional presentation
Explore Private Artist Development →
If you are still earlier in the process and want to understand the path from first class to first act, explore how to become a burlesque performer.
What Students Say
“I had heard how great the experience would be, but my expectations were exceeded. Red Hot Annie made everyone feel uniquely recognized and more confident.”
— Devon B.
“I was nervous before my first class, but everyone quickly felt comfortable. The atmosphere was supportive, welcoming, and genuinely fun.”
— Megan G.
“One of the most fun experiences I’ve ever had. I left feeling more confident than when I arrived.”
— Bailey M.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need dance experience?
No.
Most students have never taken a burlesque class before.
Are these beginner burlesque classes?
Yes.
Every Sunday class welcomes complete beginners while still offering room to grow for students with performance experience.
Can I start any Sunday?
Yes.
Each class stands on its own, so you can join whenever you are ready.
See the current class schedule →
Can I attend just one class?
Yes.
Classes are offered as drop-ins, and many students later choose to return regularly.
Do I have to perform?
Not at all.
Performing is optional.
Some students eventually want the stage.
Others simply enjoy the classes.
Both are valid ways to participate in burlesque.
What should I wear?
Wear clothing you can comfortably move in.
Heels are optional.
You do not need a costume, stockings, gloves, or special equipment for your first class unless a particular workshop says otherwise.
Am I too old to start?
No.
People begin burlesque at many different ages and stages of life.
Can I come by myself?
Yes.
Most first-time students do.
Is burlesque good exercise?
Classes can develop coordination, posture, mobility, balance, body awareness, and movement endurance.
The emphasis, however, is on intentional movement and creativity rather than competition.
Do you offer private burlesque lessons?
Yes.
Private lessons are available for students who want more individual instruction.
Explore Private Burlesque Lessons →
Already developing an act or artistic direction?
Explore Private Artist Development →
Can I learn specific burlesque skills?
Yes.
Sunday classes frequently explore individual techniques as part of larger movement and performance work.
You can also start at home with Annie’s beginner guide to spinning burlesque tassels.
Do you teach bachelorette parties?
Yes.
Private burlesque experiences are available for groups who want something more personal than joining the regular Sunday class.
Explore Chicago Bachelorette Parties →
Can I eventually perform?
Yes, if that is where you want to go.
Students interested in performance can begin developing choreography, character, stagecraft, and complete acts when they are ready.
Explore the Burlesque Performer Path →
Continue Your Journey
View the Current Class Schedule
See upcoming Sunday classes and choose your next date.
View Current Chicago Burlesque Class Schedule →
New to Burlesque?
Learn what burlesque actually is, what happens at a show, where the tradition came from, and what to expect as a beginner.
Want to See the Art Form Live?
Watching performers is one of the best ways to understand timing, character, stage presence, audience relationship, and the enormous range of styles inside burlesque.
Explore Chicago Burlesque Shows →
Interested in Performing?
Move from class into act development, private direction, performance video, and professional preparation.
Explore the Burlesque Performer Path →
Want Individual Attention?
Work privately with Annie on technique, confidence, performance, or a specific creative goal.
Explore Private Burlesque Lessons →
Ready to Join Your First Chicago Burlesque Class?
Sundays
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Crafty Cats
3713 W Division St.
Chicago, IL
$40 Drop-In
No experience.
No auditions.
No pressure to perform.
Just one step through the door.