About

What is burlesque? That is the question to which this project seeks to collect answers. And who better to ask than burlesque performers themselves? Of course, there is the dictionary's definition of burlesque, but I have a theory that today's collective response will be quite different from the printed definition.

Merriam-Webster defines burlesque as follows:

1. a literary or dramatic work that seeks to ridicule by means of grotesque exaggeration or comic imitation
2. mockery usually by caricature
3. theatrical entertainment of a broadly humorous often earthy character consisting of short turns, comic skits, and sometimes striptease acts

And so, I will visit with burlesque performers, photograph them in their homes and ask them one question: What does burlesque mean to you?

Are you a burlesque performer? I'm looking for anyone who performs or performed regularly in burlesque shows including comedians, striptease artists, belly dancers, magicians and more. Click here to participate!

Stay up to date with my progress on this project in my Blog and join my Mailing List to receive occasional e-mail updates.

Progress Update: June 22, 2010

The All That Glitters - The East Coast and some Southern States Too Tour was a smashing success! In 28 days I drove 6,181 miles through 26 states (10 of which I slept in) and photographed 24 burlesque performers in their homes.

I'll begin scheduling sessions for Los Angeles performers in the coming weeks and hope to get back on the road by mid to late summer. First, I need to fill in some funding gaps to help cover costs of the remaining work. Once I figure that out I'll be able to visit performers all along the West Coast.

Progress Update: March 11, 2010

I'm very excited to announce my plans to visit each of the following cities to photograph burlesque performers for All That Glitters! I am actively seeking participants, so if you or anyone you know is a burlesque performer in these cities, it’s time to get in touch.

Progress Update: January 9, 2010

When I began All That Glitters in June 2009 I set a goal to complete 100 portrait sessions across the United States by June 2010. To date I have completed 58 sessions throughout the Midwest, including Chicago, Madison, Milwaukee, Grand Rapids, Detroit and St. Louis, as well as Memphis.

I will travel to Minneapolis later this month and will visit cities throughout the East and West Coasts in the months following. I am currently funding the project on my own, but am actively seeking opportunities to make the completion of the project financially feasible.

In addition to completing the remaining portrait and interview sessions, my goal is to create a multi-media presentation of the content through a coffee table book, a documentary film, and gallery shows in cities across the country.