Bible Belt Burlesque Feature Story DRAFT

Written Piece — By: Shayna Waltower

Bringing Meaning to Burlesque

When you hear the term “burlesque,” you might think of corsets, strappy heels and sequins. While this performance style often includes many of these features, it has many different interpretations.

“Sometimes there isn’t striptease,” said the co-founder of Bible Belt Burlesque, who refers to herself by her stage name, “Lady Helhath.” “It’s different for everyone.”

This is the idea that led Tinker Nantucket to found Bible Belt Burlesque.

Located in the heart of downtown Perry, Bible Belt is a burlesque performance company that ties vintage stage art with the portrayal of social messages.

“(There’s) feather and fan and glitter striptease, but we also use it as political and social commentary and as different venues for different types of self expression,” Nantucket said.

When Nantucket first came up with the idea to start Bible Belt almost five years ago, she said it was important for diversity to also be a major element of the company and for its performers to have “different venues for self-expression.”

“We use our platform…to showcase that all bodies, no matter age, size, color, race (or) sexual identity are beautiful and worth showcasing,” she said.

Bible Belt presents its audiences with two big shows and several smaller ones at a variety of . Its acts most often appear at Macon’s Ampersand Guild have also been at the Hummingbird Bar, the Cox Capitol Theatre and other Middle Georgia venues.

VIDEO OUTLINE

• BROLL of BBB letters in studio
• Interview clip of Helhath and Nantucket
• BROLL of studio over interview audio (Nantucket describing where she got her idea for BBB)
• Cut back to original interview (for continuation of describing BBB beginning.)
• Video clips of class practice/Helhath practice performing
• Original video of interview→ Helhath talking about diversity and its purpose
• Video clips of studio practice and dancers
• Cut to interview with performer about how BBB has impacted her
• Final interview quote from Nantucket
• Closing BROLL