More Than Glitter: How the Vermont Burlesque Festival Defined Its Mission

Written by Cory Royer

When the Vermont Burlesque Festival first began, it wasn’t just about putting on a show — it was about helping to inspire, support, and expand community.

Prior to 2013, burlesque in Vermont wasn't as well known. It was a small community, but passionate, made up of just a handful of troupes scattered across the state. Being from Vermont — and proud to show off my state — I wanted to put a “burlesque spotlight” on it. I wanted to not only share Vermont burlesque with the world, but also to attract the world of burlesque to come and experience Vermont. The idea for VTBF came from a desire to unite all the voices, celebrate everyone's diverse artistry, and create something that honored both the performers and the some of the values that I believe make Vermont unique: creativity, extreme inclusivity, and kindness.

As the first Vermont Burlesque Festival (VTBF) was being planned, I sat down with the four burlesque groups that existed in Vermont at the time — Green Mountain Cabaret: a neo-burlesque troupe out of Burlington (no longer under its original ownership), ArtsFest: an acrobatic group out of Brattleboro (now defunct), Spielpalast Cabaret: a Weimar-Era German Cabaret out of Burlington (now defunct), and a transgender-led and focused performance group based in Winooski called "Peep Show" run by Johnathan Bitchmen and Queeche George (now defunct). It was important to me to include all of them and have them participate in shaping what was going to be The Vermont Burlesque Festival.

All of these groups expressed excitement about the festival but also shared some thoughtful concerns and hopes about what a statewide festival might represent. A worry existed that such an event could unintentionally take attention or opportunities away from the shows that already existed, or make it harder for local troupes to thrive. These conversations were important — they shaped the heart of what VTBF would become. Out of that dialogue came the adoption of a mission statement and a shared understanding that the festival would operate under a few guiding principles.

Guidelines / Understanding

• VTBF would not produce regular monthly programming in Vermont.

• VTBF would not compete with any local groups or shows, and vice versa — instead, all would work to support and elevate one another in various ways. (Example: VTBF would only operate in January and the local groups would not operate within 2 weeks of VTBF).

• VTBF was to headline or feature Vermont based groups or troupes helping to spotlight their existence and drive/encourage individuals to attend, participate or join them. (Note: This has occurred every year accept for a rare occurrence when a group/troupe has declined the invitation).

• If VTBF were hired or contracted to produce a show Vermont based show outside of the annual festival's standard date, it would include and pay local Vermont performers in those productions. (Historical Note: VTBF has done this in the past, including with county and state fair shows, The Valentines Shows at Middlebury Town Hall Theater and has also referred performance inquiries to GMC, other groups, and individual Vermont based performers).

• VTBF would remain inclusive to outside performers and introduce new cultures, other forms of performance art, and styles of burlesque to Vermont audiences.

• VTBF would raise awareness and give back to local charities. (Note: Breast cancer research and Pride Center of Vermont have been recipients of this VTBF effort since its inception).

A mission statement was written and then published at the bottom of the VTBF homepage, where it still lives today:

“The Vermont Burlesque Festival celebrates the local burlesque community and talent, offers continuing burlesque education and culture, introduces the greater Vermont community to culture and talent from outside of its borders, gives to breast cancer research, supports gender equality, and promotes health and wellness projects including ‘love your body’ positivity.”

Over the years, some of the original groups that helped inspire VTBF have moved on, but their spirit remains woven into the festival’s foundation. Each of them contributed something special — from performance styles to community values — and their legacy continues to shine through every year. As those troupes gave way to new ones, Vermont’s burlesque scene continued to grow, evolve, and welcome new voices, including groups like Merde, A Northern Seduction, and Libertines of Luxury. Through the VTBF, I remain proud to help nurture and celebrate that ongoing story.

Today, the Vermont Burlesque Festival continues to be guided by its mission statement and honors this evolving local community by offering Vermont performers a platform alongside national and international acts. The festival was never meant to replace local shows, but to uplift them — To bring new ideas and creativity into the community -- To attract and inspire local audiences to explore, support, and celebrate burlesque all year long -- It is meant to boost and guide curious individuals toward the art form itself — and into the local groups, classes, and shows that keep local burlesque alive in Vermont.