Chicago Burlesque Classes & Confidence Training
Beginner-Friendly Burlesque & Cabaret Classes in Chicago
Vaudezilla offers immersive Chicago burlesque classes designed to help adults feel more confident, expressive, grounded, and visible — both onstage and in everyday life.
These are not traditional dance classes.
Our classes combine movement, performance, timing, stage presence, confidence work, and immersive cabaret training inside a structured, welcoming environment led by Red Hot Annie, founder of Chicago’s longest-running weekly burlesque cabaret.
Whether you are completely new or ready to create a full performance persona, there is a place to begin.
👉 Explore Weekly Classes Below
Current Chicago Burlesque Class Schedule
Sunday Burlesque Confidence Drop-In
Sundays · 11:00am · $40 · Vaudezilla Studios
A beginner-friendly weekly drop-in focused on confidence, movement, posture, timing, expression, and stage presence.
No dance experience required.
Heels optional.
No nudity required.
Perfect for:
- beginners
- performers
- public speakers
- creatives
- women rebuilding confidence
- anyone wanting stronger presence and embodiment
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
| Day | Class |
|---|---|
| Monday | Private Coaching Available |
| Tuesday | Private Coaching Available |
| Wednesday | The Room: Foundations (Virtual) · 7:00 PM |
| Thursday | Private Coaching Available |
| Friday | Private Coaching Available |
| Saturday | Private Coaching Available |
| Sunday | The Room: Foundations (In Person) · 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM |
👉 Join Virtual Wednesdays:
https://redhotannie.kit.com/products/the-room-game-virtual
👉 Join Sunday Foundations:
https://redhotannie.kit.com/products/intro-to-burlesque
What Makes These Classes Different
Most dance classes teach choreography.
These classes train:
- confidence
- timing
- visibility
- emotional control
- body awareness
- stage presence
- authority
- performance energy
Students learn how to:
- move with intention
- hold attention without forcing
- feel more grounded physically and emotionally
- develop stronger personal presence
- become more expressive without pressure
Most people arrive nervous.
Most people leave feeling clearer.
Featured On ABC 7 Chicago / Localish
See real footage from an actual Vaudezilla class experience and hear why students travel from across Chicago to attend.
👉 Watch the Localish Feature:
https://abc7chicago.com/videoClip/14936211/
Not Sure Where To Start?
New Students
Start with:
The Room: Foundations
This class is specifically designed for beginners and adults returning to movement after years away from performance or dance.
Want Flexibility?
Join the Sunday Drop-In anytime.
Interested In Deeper Transformation?
Explore private immersive work and solo creation experiences.
👉 Explore The Shadow Room:
https://redhotannie.com/the-shadow-room-solo-creation-performance-experience/
Want More Than Just Class?
Vaudezilla is more than a dance studio.
We create immersive cabaret experiences, speakeasy performances, confidence rooms, theatrical nightlife, and transformational performance environments in Chicago.
Students often continue into:
- live performance
- persona creation
- immersive theater
- solo acts
- confidence coaching
- stage development
- cabaret productions
UPCOMING CHICAGO BURLESQUE SHOWS & CABARET IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES:
VOLTAGE! SPEAKEASY
Immersive Cabaret Thriller
Friday, Jun 26
9:00 PM
Chicago Actors Studio
2040 N Elston
Chicago
INTO THE SHADOW
Immersive Cabaret Experience
Saturday, July 18
9:00 PM
Chicago Actors Studio
2040 N Elston
Chicago
MIDNIGHT CONFESSION
Immersive Film Noir Cabaret
new dates coming soon!
The Room: A Burlesque Game
Live virtual experience · $27
A 60-minute live room where you practice presence, authority, and how you are read by others in real time.
Best for you if you want:
- to play from home
- real-time feedback
- confidence without waiting for a stage
- a sharper sense of how you come across
Do I need dance experience?
No. Most students begin with little or no dance background.
Is this a strip class?
No. These are structured confidence, movement, cabaret, and stage presence classes.
Do I have to perform publicly?
No. Public performance is optional.
What should I wear?
Comfortable clothing you can move in. Heels optional.
Is this beginner-friendly?
Yes. Beginners are welcome.
Where are classes located?
Vaudezilla Studios
1229 N Branch St
Chicago, IL
Want to keep creating after class?
For students beginning their burlesque journey, Annie also offers downloadable performer tools, act planners, costume templates, and stage confidence resources through Annie’s Red Hots.
Ready To Begin?
You do not need to feel fully confident before starting.
Most people begin because they want to feel more connected, expressive, grounded, and visible.
That shift starts the moment you walk into the room.
👉 Reserve Your Spot:
https://redhotannie.kit.com/products/chicago-burlesque-basics-the-beginners-confi