We’re looking back at past competitors and see how they took on the budget burlesque competition.
Dallas Fox, VIC
Dallas Fox is a Melbourne based burlesque performer who competed in the inaugural 2019 DIY BurlesKoala competition. She describes her usual burlesque styles as “Classic Hollywood and Neo Cheeky Fetish.” I asked Dallas about her experiences competing in the 2019 DIY BurlesKoala Competition.
Why did you enter DIY BurlesKoala?
DF: DIY BurlesKoala was a great opportunity to see if I could, in fact, produce an act with minimal cost that was every bit as good as my more expensive acts. I thought I would also like to come away with an act that was very portable and easy to take interstate.
Where did the inspiration for your act come from?
DF: I searched for a piece of sexy classic music that told a story, had no editing costs and could be used across many audiences. I found Ella Fitzgerald’s Travlin’ Light and felt it was perfect for what I wanted. The lyrics gave me a theme, the musicality informed the choreography and the budget dictated the costume.
What was the biggest challenge you faced in creating your DIY act?
The biggest challenge was in creating the DIY act was limiting my routine to the song length of 3 1/2 mins when I’m used to creating 5 minute routines. ‘How can I show enough story and tease in such a short time?’ went through my head often.
What was the biggest achievement or win you had in creating your DIY act?
Challenging myself to make a costume with such a limited budget, made me get quite creative and I feel I produced a flexible act that can go anywhere. Actually I really enjoy performing it and it is a great act to have when doing two performances in one show. (It fits in my hand luggage).
What was your favourite aspect of competing in DIY BurlesKoala?
My favourite aspect of this competition was joining in the enthusiasm and info sharing with the other competitors leading up to the competition and then, marvelling at what everyone had produced when we finally got to the competition.
If you were to enter again, what would you do differently?
Absolutely nothing! I take with me everything I learned along the way and incorporate it into every act I do.
What advice would you give someone considering entering?
Do it! Do it! Do it! Even just for the challenge and the fun , not to mention a fabulous new routine.
Have you performed your DIY act again, and if so, where/ when? If not, do you hope too?
I have performed this act several times since its creation. I have performed it at The Wondergound and Red Light Confidential in Melbourne, Red Light Confidential in Sydney, Bombshells Burlesque in Brisbane, and Red Mill Productions Ballarat and Melbourne with several more bookings that were unfortunately cancelled due to Covid.
Have you since upgraded your DIY act? If so, what changes have you made? If not, are there changes and upgrades you plan to make?
I added a few more crystals to the coat but other than that nothing else. I would probably upgrade the hat in future if it breaks but that’s all.
What is one DIY trick, skill or experience you learned/ had during the creation of your act that you are most proud of?
A hat made from offcuts a coat hanger and a takeaway cake container taught me that being creative out of necessity is sometimes better with a margarita in hand.
Lastly…
I thought the whole experience was well organised and very professional and I really appreciated the communication and camaraderie built by Mae de la Rue.
DIY BurlesKoala 2022
The DIY BurlesKoala 2022 competition twill be held on Saturday 3 December 2022 at Metro Arts, Brisbane. Tickets available now.
Follow Dallas Fox on Instagram and Facebook.
