You might have a great act, but what if no one sees? Here are a few ways to get booked, and booked again as a performer.
1. Be easy to reach once you're contacted. It's not a deal until it's a done deal. It's cool to be professional and answer show planning questions. This means no drama the night of the show. Changes happen and you'll want as much notice from the producer, so be reachable once you've made the commitment.
2. Have requested bio and photo information accessible on your website, or ready to send to the booker or producer. If they don't have the materials to promote you they may go searching and use a photo you have posted online and aren't fond of. Be sure to take control of your destiny by providing this material very quickly after you are booked, so as not to hold up the promotion team who's marketing your performance.
3. Let them know your staging or dressing room requests or requirements without being a diva.
4. Be prepared for anything - bring a back-up costume in case you have a wardrobe malfunction. You just never know what might happen en route, so just be as prepared as possible for with a contingency plan.
5. Follow up after the show. If you have been mailed a check, email or call to let them know you received it. Let them know you'd like to be a part of the show in the future, or are available for other bookings.
Be sure to check out the frequent recurring Burlesque happenings in Portland, Oregon and support the budding genre with your presence and dollars at the following venues: The Tonic Lounge, Kelly's Olympian, The Hawthorne Theater Lounge, Dante's , The Bossanova Ballroom, all located in Portland, OR.