Friday, November 6th

2:15pm - 5:15pm

Peninsula A

Have a brilliant costume idea but not sure how to bring it to life? In this hands-on BurlyLab you’ll learn how to create a custom sewing pattern using masking tape as your drafting tool. We’ll walk through the process of building a fitted pattern directly on the body or a dress form, then transferring it to muslin or pattern paper for construction. By the end of class, you’ll have the skills to start turning your costume concepts into well-fitting, stage-ready creations—no commercial pattern required!

Presenter Supplied Materials:

• 1 pair of scissors
• Pencils (both manual sharpen and mechanical)
• Eraser
• Marker and pen for labeling patterns
• Fabric tape measure
• 2 roles of masking tape
• 2 (ish?) yards of brown paper
• Clear ruler
• 3d printed French curve

Student Supplied Materials:

Students are encouraged to bring their own note taking materials and an open mind!

Saturday, November 7th

2:45pm - 4:45pm

Peninsula A

In this hands-on BurlyLab, you’ll work in pairs to transform a commercial sewing pattern into a bold new burlesque costume design through collaboration, experimentation, and creative problem-solving. We’ll begin with brief introduction on costume design fundamentals, developing a croquis of your own body, and understanding how fabric choice impacts pattern modifications. Then we'll dive into physically slashing, spreading, reshaping, and redrawing pattern pieces to bring your vision to life.

This class emphasizes iteration over perfection. Come ready to explore, take creative risks, and get hands-on with your pattern. You'll leave with modified pattern pieces and the confidence to turn any store-bought pattern into burlesque gold!

Presenter Supplied Materials:

• 1 pair of scissors
• Pencils (both manual sharpen and mechanical)
• Eraser
• A marker and pen for labeling patterns
• Fabric tape measure
• 2 (ish?) yards of paper for tracing pattern pieces
• Clear ruler
• 3d printed French curve
• Printed handouts
• Sample Croquis for sketching
• A choice of several commercial patterns to analyze and modify
• Colored pencils

Student Supplied Materials:

Students are encouraged to bring their own note taking materials and an open mind!

Sunday, November 8th

11:00am 1:00pm

Peninsula A

We all know consent is sexy—and mandatory—but do we really know how to recognize, communicate, and honor it? In this hands-on BurlyLab, participants will practice navigating both verbal and nonverbal communication through a series of one-on-one exercises structured like speed dating or networking rounds. Together, we’ll explore how consent is communicated, how to recognize and respond to another person’s boundaries, and how our own bodies may respond when we feel triggered or uncertain.

Through guided practice, reflection, and feedback, participants will have opportunities to notice their natural survival responses, build awareness of how those responses show up in themselves and others, and develop practical tools for navigating consent with greater clarity and care. Come ready to participate, reflect, communicate, and learn through doing.

Presenter Supplied Materials:

• Mini Journal workbooks

Student Supplied Materials:

A willingness to explore

Friday, November 6th

11:00am - 1:00pm

Peninsula A

Ready to transform into a King, Thing, or Queen? This hands-on drag makeup BurlyLab explores how to work with your own facial features to exaggerate, reshape, or gender-bend your look. Learn the essentials of mapping your look, managing your time, gluing down brows, setting your makeup, and creating a long-lasting base, plus advanced techniques for face paint, glitter, and sealing.

Accessibility is at the heart of this class, with adaptive tools and modification options for performers with mental or physical disabilities that may affect their makeup routine. Whether you’re new to drag makeup or looking to expand your toolkit, you’ll leave with practical techniques to make your makeup work for you.

Presenter Supplied Materials:

• Makeup wipes and cotton swabs

Student Supplied Materials:

Saturday, November 7th

1:00pm - 2:30pm

Peninsula A

Add a playful new dimension to almost any costume and enhance your movement with this simple, disposable prop! In this hands-on BurlyLab, you’ll learn two different methods for assembling bustles through demonstrations and guided practice, with individualized assistance available along the way.

Come ready to work with your hands and experiment with a fun new costume element that can add movement, personality, and flair to your performance. Please note: This class is not suitable for individuals with a latex allergy.

Presenter Supplied Materials:

• balloons and "duel" electric balloon inflators will be provided

Student Supplied Materials:

Saturday, November 7th

9:00am - 11:00am

This hands-on BurlyLab is a special gift from Guest of Honor The Maine Attraction to all the curly- and textured-haired beauties who want to pay homage to classic vintage hairstyles while embracing their natural texture. Explore techniques for creating pinup-inspired looks without needing to straighten, alter, or work against your curls and texture.

Students will build a foundation of styling skills they can adapt to their own hair, personal style, and creative vision. Come prepared to practice! Please bring the styling tools and products you typically use for your hair, such as bobby pins, combs, brushes, hair ties, accessories, and styling products, along with a mirror and towel. Long and short ponytail extensions are also welcome. Leave with new techniques to use as a foundation—and let your glamour and creativity fly!

Presenter Supplied Materials:

• N/A

Student Supplied Materials:

• Any items they use to style their hair (i.e., bobby pins, combs, brushes
• Hair ties
• Hair accessories, products, etc.)
• Mirror and a towel
• You can also bring a long and short ponytail.

Thursday, November 5th

1:30pm - 3:30pm

Peninsula A

This hands-on BurlyLab guides experienced performers through auditing and restructuring their creative careers for greater long-term sustainability. Using the Artist Life Audit framework, participants will assess their artistry, income, time, and capacity to identify areas of alignment, imbalance, and potential burnout.

Through guided exercises and real-time reflection, attendees will turn those insights into a personalized, actionable career plan. Participants will leave with a completed audit and practical next steps they can immediately apply to build a more sustainable and fulfilling creative career.

Presenter Supplied Materials:

• A printed workbook that includes the Artist Life Audit Wheel, guided reflection prompts, and career planning worksheets.
• These materials are essential to the hands-on structure of the lab and support participants in completing their audit and building a personalized, actionable plan.

Student Supplied Materials:

• Pen/pencil and note-taking supplies