“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller
We're entering the 5th month of this pandemic (based on my schedule and location), and I'm almost back to working full-time in lab. My performing career remains mostly in stasis although I'll have some exciting news at the end of this post.
Since I had traveled and was actually struggling to stay on top of many events prior to lockdown, I haven't gone stir-crazy. There was disappointment at the cancellation of a trip. It wasn't burlesque/drag-related, but I was keeping the possibility of a new gig open, especially with new contacts in that area.
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Honey Moonpie and I brought
video game realness.
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It's these missed opportunities and connections that I mourn. Of course, I enjoy venturing out to new locations, but I'm also not great at traveling. Adapting to new places stresses me out so I had avoided many out-of-town gigs for a while, especially if my partner or a friend could not accompany me.
With the exception of BHoF, which was carefully planned with a friend, my travel was contained in Texas in my early performing years (I can't believe I just typed this, but 2014 seems so far away). I got lucky that Helena Isis got booked in the 2016 Oni-con show and I knew Honey Moonpie as well. Even if I had to fly solo, I was used to the trip with Dallas, and Kiki Maroon had arranged everything wonderflly to get the cast and crew to Galveston without a hitch. I wound up rooming with Red Snapper, whom I had seen perform but had never met, and she later moved to Dallas so that was a nice connection made.
In 2018, I finally took the big leap to apply for a cross-country gig when I saw a casting call I could not ignore. Plus I was tired of all the FOMO and the dry spell I was experiencing at that point. Cherie Sweetbottom's Wronged By Whedon show was
perfect for my style of nerdlesque. I already had my Black Widow act that was dedicated to all the ways her character had been
wronged by various people involved in the MCU. Since I could submit a second act, I brainstormed something I could do for
Firefly, a series I love but also resent for the utter appropriation of Chinese culture. I learned that Kaylee Frye was originally supposed to be a Chinese character, and that's where my "Original Kaylee" act was born.
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Original Kaylee
Photo by Ryan Gerbino
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Despite having both acts accepted, I was nervous about joining a show
where I knew nobody. On top of that, I might have had the worst
traveling experience ever since the Jerkface-in-DC cancelled my first
flight and delayed my second, which led to me arriving 12 hours later
than planned. However, Cherie and Danny Cavalier's hospitality was
top-notch, and the reception of both of my numbers, particularly
Original Kaylee, was so good. I had the loveliest time with my fellow
socially aware Whedon fans backstage and after the show. My experience
in D.C. taught me that I should travel more, as it reinvigorated my
desire to perform and create.
Nashville was another fantastic trip with much credit to producers Gogo Incognito and Miss Jenna Beth and hostess Luvina Ladyplace. I also stepped out of my comfort zone to inquire about a photoshoot in a cabin with La Photographie. While it wasn't the easiest experience with me getting up at 6 AM the day after a show and driving an hour (or two?) out to Mt. Juliet, it wound up being a cool experience. The connections I made in Nashville made me realize how small the world is, as Luvina did a convention with a former on-line friend I made on an anime fansite and castmate Pixie Danger was on King of the Nerds with a guy I went on a date with in college. Maybe there should be a Six Degrees of Hana Li.
Of course, out-of-town gigs aren't always possible with the time and financial restrictions we might have. I had to decline a festival spot after I couldn't make travel plans work. I am fortunate enough to have vacation leave and savings, but there are thrifty ways to go about traveling. Plus most producers are willing to help with transportation and housing if they can't cover your trip to their city. It's good to see how burlesque is different in other places, and for me, I've found that I meet people better in a setting that isn't as hectic as a festival.
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Cabin Fever shoot by La Photographie
(www.laphotographieboudoir.com)
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Right now, traveling isn't as feasible, and most shows have yet to resume. It sucks, but the world has opened up in a different way, as more virtual productions are forming. I could do another post about those (and probably will). Even though there isn't the excitement of being in a new venue and making new friends in person, the world has opened up. It's up to producers to take advantage of new faces and truly diversify their shows, just as it's up to performers to snag the opportunities to branch out.
I've started to do that, and I would like to end with an announcement of my return to the "stage" with Ellie Quinn presents: You're Gonna Need a Bigger Couch. The show premieres on August 21 8 PM DST with the video being available on demand for a week. There will also be a Zoom meet-and-greet with the cast for VIP ticket holders.
Click here to buy your ticket.
