Captivating Confidence

Breaking down unhealthy barriers, Burlesque Underground at Millikin University is proud to champion body positivity with the hottest dancing on campus. By: Page Shields

Performance is often an idealistic image meant to entrance audiences, but behind such a “flawless” snapshot lies decades of exclusion. This appearance-based field continues to promote an unrealistic set of body image ideals that, for many performers, are detrimental to physical and mental health. Dancers, in particular, are subject to unnecessary shame for the way they look, for the shape of their bodies rather than their power. Yet as the body positivity movement grows, not every dance group clings to this demeaning mindset.

Named Millikin’s Best Large Organization 2020, Burlesque Underground has been heating up campus since 2018. Self-described as “Proud to be Body Aware & Positive,” the group works to advocate for sexual liberation and self-love through high-energy dance performances.

Choreographer Hannah Magy acknowledges the roots of body positivity as “birthed from a movement started by queer Black women and femmes in the 1960s, who held space for marginalized bodies and anyone who did not fit the strict beauty standards of the time.” With the pervasive negative self-talk and fatphobia in today’s culture, Magy defines being body positive as “working against these patterns, dismantling biases and encouraging inclusivity for every body type and ability level.”

And that’s what the group is trying to do. Burlesque Underground has been an overwhelmingly positive experience for its members, including sophomore Skylyr Choe, who has seen a huge improvement in their perception of their own selfworth since joining the ensemble in the fall of 2020. “Burlesque promotes this belief that ‘every body is a sexy body,’” they say, discussing group’s role as a safe space for its dancers. “We’re all incredible, and so very capable of handling anything that comes our way. If we can’t do it on our own, we can lean on each other for support until we can make it through what’s plaguing us.”

Member health is just as important to Burlesque Underground as their performances. Magy also serves on the executive board as the Health and Wellness Coordinator. The position is meant to reduce health risks and injuries, encouraging members to care for themselves and seek professional help if needed. Magy focuses on how the members are rather than just what they’re doing in rehearsal. “[She] is always making sure everyone feels good both physically and mentally,” says Natalie Grote, a first-year who feels supported and encouraged through Burlesque.

Grote explains that great emphasis is placed on mental preparation, too: “We also say positive self-image affirmations before every show, which is a great confidence boost before doing something that can be really scary.”

With multiple shows each semester, support for Burlesque Underground is only growing, and the group’s body positivity message continues to spread with each performance. Their first show of the Fall 2021 semester, called “Burlecstasy,” was a great success. The rave-themed event drew in crowds from all parts of Millikin’s campus for a night of incredible dancing in an electrifying environment.

Sophomore member Avery Hoffman has felt Burlesque’s celebration of bodies boost her confidence and has seen the same effects on the campus community. “When I talked to people after [the show], I could see a change in the people I knew. There was that same newfound confidence that I had seen in myself,” she says. “Everyone who came was so supportive and encouraging and I just cannot express enough how thankful I am.”

Feeling captivated? Be sure to follow @burlesqueunderground on Instagram for information about auditions and their upcoming shows.

Original photography by: Rachel Silvey