Today we’d like to introduce you to Shirley Blazen.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Shirley. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Blazen’s adventure began where most art manifests, at the corner of curiosity and conflict. I was coming to terms with trauma, seeking a way to reaffirm my autonomy. I struggled with self-esteem and into my life came an ad for a burlesque class. After wrestling with my inner demons, I threw nerves into the wind, put my best heel forward and fell in love with Burlesque.
Time flew, I became more at peace in my own skin, reinvented as a brazen survivor parading on stage for the world to take notice. Then, an opportunity came knocking when I was asked to perform a solo. An incredible chance to create art was at my fingertips and I sobbed, worried they expected me to serve gratuitous sex appeal. Still processing the years of abuse and trauma, masquerading as a seductive being was my worst nightmare. Up until then, I had been a comedy writer and stand-up comic so the only style that felt authentic was to make ‘em laugh. To my relief, this ensemble celebrated a multitude of voices and embraced my fearless funny bone. So, it began with Lucille Ball and spawned into over-the-top slapstick portrayals of everything from a bumbling magician to a life-size Sandwich.
I felt at peace with myself a fringe burlesque performer, going for giggles instead of whistles. An opportunity arose to teach at the studio and the only tool in my garter belt was this screwy sense of humor. And that little screw built a “Slapstick Burlesque” curriculum. Channeling humor liberated me as a performer and survivor and I wanted to share how “funny” is as empowering as “sexy”. In under two years, we’ve churned out 10 group acts, performed at festivals and have a full-length show “The Screwbelles” in the works.
At the moment, Shirley Blazen the Oh So Amazin’ has her schticky hands full, producing projects, teaching and performing as a professional purveyor of high-energy hijinks.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The apprehension of being “sexy” was a big hurdle to overcome.
Burlesque is an empowering art form and embraces all bodies and expressions. Some people have an association with it being purely seductive and that’s where my performance style came into conflict. I was not emotionally prepared to being viewed in a sexual context.
As an artist, I felt at odds of not being the “norm” portrayal of a burlesque dancer. Like somehow my art had less merit because it wasn’t traditional. And because of this inner conflict, I was often tempted to give up based on Imposter Syndrome alone.
But my biggest struggle was confronting a stalker. Unwanted attention is a sensitive subject for performers because we’re expected to put ourselves out there, promote, engage with an audience, look approachable and be bookable. There are people who prey on that expectation to please to violate boundaries.
When I got up the courage to come out publicly about a stalker, while there was overwhelming support there was oddly plenty of criticism. People hinted I “deserved” it because I joked about sex in my stand-up and the obvious “sexual” element to stripping in burlesque. I received the “suggestion” to quit performing period. No alternatives, no workarounds, just give up and go into hiding. I took a huge risk of publicly asking for help and felt a lot of shame and sadness like I wasn’t worth feeling safe.
That defeat fed into the Imposter Syndrome in an ugly way where I asked myself “what’s the point in risking my safety to perform this art that people don’t want to see?” I cried before and after every show and hated my art so much because I believed it manifested this nightmare situation.
Shirley Blazen The Oh So Amazin’ – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Shirley Blazen the Oh So Amazin’ is recognizable for her larger-than-life voice on the mic and her over-the-top character driven slapstick burlesque.
A burlesque dancer, emcee, teacher, and director, I focus on act development, stage presence, and comedy.
My style is genre-bending and schticky. A self-professed indoor kid, this art has allowed me to let my geek flag fly and breathe life into my nerdy passions.
As far as things I’m proud of- I’ve really hit the nail over the head when it comes to channeling slapstick elements into burlesque. I carved out a niche for Slapstick burlesque to develop and thrive in Chicago. I love when students become inspired to collaborate and create beyond the classroom, finding power in comedy.
I teach classes at Vaudezilla studio and the goal for every class is for students to have fun exploring their authentic self-feeling and leave every week feeling fierce and fabulous.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Honestly, it’s the little things:
I love emceeing when I see someone in the crowd’s face light up.
I love cosplaying when I’m dressed as a My Little Pony (Pinkie Pie) and kids are jumping up and down to “high-hoof” me.
I love after performing what I think is a goofy, obscure act and someone tells me they are inspired and it’s that connection and sense of belonging that never would have come to pass if it wasn’t for taking huge creative risks and not giving up.
I am proud to be headlining my 1st burlesque festival at the end of July.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shirleyblazen.com
- Email: ShirleyBlazen@gmail.com
- Instagram: shirleyblazen
- Facebook: /AmazingShirleyBlazen
- Twitter: shirleyblazen
Image Credit:
Peter Serocki, Jenna Braunstein, Sophie Page
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