| © Slash Coleman 2008 |
| Friend us on MySpace: modernburlesquebrigade |
The Modern Burlesque Brigade
Photo: Randi Gellis
Miss Bojangles aka Lil' Sassy Italy
Becca Bernard
Director, Lead Choreographer
Currently pursuing her Masters degree in physical
theatre and choreography at VCU, Rebecca Bernard
spent the last year studying Commedia dell' Arte in
Italy at the Accademia Dell Art. She was last seen at
Sycamore Rouge with Nouvelle Burlesque.
Becca Bernard
Director, Lead Choreographer
Currently pursuing her Masters degree in physical
theatre and choreography at VCU, Rebecca Bernard
spent the last year studying Commedia dell' Arte in
Italy at the Accademia Dell Art. She was last seen at
Sycamore Rouge with Nouvelle Burlesque.
Professor Ouiji aka ZZ Topman
Larry Volz
Fire/Stunt Choreographer, Psychic Hypnotist
Larry Volz is a veteran comedy hypnotist, winner of
the IBM People's Choice Award and has appeared
on the Discovery Channel and ABC News.
Larry Volz
Fire/Stunt Choreographer, Psychic Hypnotist
Larry Volz is a veteran comedy hypnotist, winner of
the IBM People's Choice Award and has appeared
on the Discovery Channel and ABC News.
Mr. Burlesque aka
Mister Primadonabohocowboy
Slash Coleman
Producer, Comedian
The creator of The Modern Burlesque
Brigade, Slash Coleman, is an award winning
playwright and solo performer who is best
known for his one man comedy "The Neon
Man and Me," which is now a PBS special.
Mister Primadonabohocowboy
Slash Coleman
Producer, Comedian
The creator of The Modern Burlesque
Brigade, Slash Coleman, is an award winning
playwright and solo performer who is best
known for his one man comedy "The Neon
Man and Me," which is now a PBS special.
About our Troupe
History of Burlesque in Richmond
In 2005, Richmond's first burlesque troupe formed under the direction of Anna Tulou. A group named Nouvelle Burlesque
was born.
The first show at Sycamore Rouge in Petersburg, VA was a huge sold-out success, but the troupe folded shortly after
because organizing future shows around such a large group of artists logistically and financially was a nightmare.
Although some of the dancers reformed under the name "Sweet Tease" and Nouvelle limped through a hodge podge of a
few more gigs, as far as traditional burlesque was concerned, it died when Nouvelle Burlesque disbanded, after its first
and only show.
The Modern Burlesque Brigade is born
Tired of a lone-life on the road as a solo-performer, Slash Coleman started kicking the idea around of reforming a
burlesque troupe that would work in the long term under a more efficient business model. He decided to form a
performance troupe (with no more than four performers) who all had a few things in common - capable writers and
performers and musicians with a comedy background who could bring marketing savvy to the table.
The troupe would create a show with comedy, and music and emcees and then freelance out to dancers. In entered, Larry
Volz, a world renown magician and hypnotist, and Becca Bernard, who had just returned from studying comedy and
performance in Italy.
In 2007, the Modern Burlesque Brigade was born, creating a six hour show for New Year's called "The Ballad of the
Beautiful Sex Monster." It debuted at Sycamore Rouge Theater and the template was created, working both financially and
logistically, to provide all members involved in the show financial gain. With the free-lance model set, Modern Burlesque
Brigade was able to effortlessly pull dancers like Kitty Victorian from Burlesque University into a show and still cover their
bottom line.
What We Offer
Shows like "Ballad of the Beautiful Sex Monster," and the upcoming show ,"Sex Education," are meant to encourage
audience members to explore their own relationships to sex, intimacy and relationships. With a home venue at
Richmond's, Studio X, the brigade is now offering burlesque dancing classes and performance classes.
In 2005, Richmond's first burlesque troupe formed under the direction of Anna Tulou. A group named Nouvelle Burlesque
was born.
The first show at Sycamore Rouge in Petersburg, VA was a huge sold-out success, but the troupe folded shortly after
because organizing future shows around such a large group of artists logistically and financially was a nightmare.
Although some of the dancers reformed under the name "Sweet Tease" and Nouvelle limped through a hodge podge of a
few more gigs, as far as traditional burlesque was concerned, it died when Nouvelle Burlesque disbanded, after its first
and only show.
The Modern Burlesque Brigade is born
Tired of a lone-life on the road as a solo-performer, Slash Coleman started kicking the idea around of reforming a
burlesque troupe that would work in the long term under a more efficient business model. He decided to form a
performance troupe (with no more than four performers) who all had a few things in common - capable writers and
performers and musicians with a comedy background who could bring marketing savvy to the table.
The troupe would create a show with comedy, and music and emcees and then freelance out to dancers. In entered, Larry
Volz, a world renown magician and hypnotist, and Becca Bernard, who had just returned from studying comedy and
performance in Italy.
In 2007, the Modern Burlesque Brigade was born, creating a six hour show for New Year's called "The Ballad of the
Beautiful Sex Monster." It debuted at Sycamore Rouge Theater and the template was created, working both financially and
logistically, to provide all members involved in the show financial gain. With the free-lance model set, Modern Burlesque
Brigade was able to effortlessly pull dancers like Kitty Victorian from Burlesque University into a show and still cover their
bottom line.
What We Offer
Shows like "Ballad of the Beautiful Sex Monster," and the upcoming show ,"Sex Education," are meant to encourage
audience members to explore their own relationships to sex, intimacy and relationships. With a home venue at
Richmond's, Studio X, the brigade is now offering burlesque dancing classes and performance classes.
"As vibrant as a pair of spangly nipple-tassels with
plenty of vintage cheesecake"
- Burlesque Bust
plenty of vintage cheesecake"
- Burlesque Bust
Using a foundation of the big band jazz sound and the classic va-va-voom style, she frosted the
burlesque cake with swirls of blues, country, funk, folk, Latin, hip hop, and pop created by the
music mastermind, Samson Trinh and a 12 piece orchestra.
She left the comedy bit to award winning solo-performer, Slash Coleman who stirred in hints of
Chaplin, Keaton, and Emo Phillips via an emcee and vaudeville comedy role.
Then, exploring the themes of femininity and masculinity, the purpose of glamour, and the masks
we wear in order to function in a mundane and trifling world, the Nouvelle Burlesque dancers
were hosted under the choreography of Tia Platte. The group included a host of VCU modern
dancers.
burlesque cake with swirls of blues, country, funk, folk, Latin, hip hop, and pop created by the
music mastermind, Samson Trinh and a 12 piece orchestra.
She left the comedy bit to award winning solo-performer, Slash Coleman who stirred in hints of
Chaplin, Keaton, and Emo Phillips via an emcee and vaudeville comedy role.
Then, exploring the themes of femininity and masculinity, the purpose of glamour, and the masks
we wear in order to function in a mundane and trifling world, the Nouvelle Burlesque dancers
were hosted under the choreography of Tia Platte. The group included a host of VCU modern
dancers.
