Now how can someone find a more appropriate stage name? This is one red hot talent in all senses of the words!!!
1) Hello Annie! Can you share with us a bit about your background?
Sure! I started out doing theater – mostly in college and community theater in the Chicago suburbs. Around 2003, I started modeling and focused mostly on pinup work. Once I made my way to Chicago proper, I discovered the burlesque scene and the rest is history!
2) So how does one suddenly exclaim: “I’ve got to do Burlesque! It’s just Me!”?
I don’t think it’s a light-switch moment where one day I just woke up and said, “Hey! Burlesque Time!” I got introduced to it as an audience member through Naughty Natanya (of the Belmont Bombshells). I came to some of their shows, and after awhile, I discovered how big the burlesque community in Chicago was. The itch to re-focus on performance and the encouragement of a few friends sealed the deal – and I think it helps that I’m a bit of an exhibitionist, too!
3) Do you guys travel a lot? What could be your typical performing schedule?
The traveling is a recent development. Once Vaudezilla established its presence in Chicago, I wanted to try and raise my profile outside of Chicago. So I started applying to some festivals and making connections with burlesque folks in other cities. I’ve been in the last two burlesque festivals in Austin, TX and Vancouver, and I’ve been popping up in shows all over the Midwest! Our performing schedule is pretty rigorous. In fact, I just tallied it up the other day and realized that I’ve been in over 200 shows in just over two years of performing burlesque! In Chicago alone, Vaudezilla has two monthly bar shows and recently wrapped up a year-and-a-half run of a weekly bar-top show. And of course, we have our big theater burlesque shows – like “Rollin’ Outta Here Naked: A Big Lebowski Burlesque” – and our occasional holiday shows for Halloween and Christmas!
4) So how and when did Vaudezilla come about?
My production partner, Dick Dijon (who also comes from a performance background), and I always wanted to work our way into the performance scene in Chicago. But the theater scene is highly competitive, and it would have required both of us starting at the bottom again. And since one of us ain’t gettin’ any younger (Sorry, Dick!), we decided to put on our own shows. We started small while we got our production feet wet, but it didn’t take long before we were off and running.
5) So besides the live shows, you also do videography services? Can you explain?
Interestingly enough, the video came before the burlesque! For awhile, I was creating original video content for my web site (RedHotAnnie.com). After I had put the first few together, Dick (who, in real life, is a huge movie buff) took an interest in shooting and editing them for me. He took over and began producing my original videos, as well as recording and editing my performances after I started doing burlesque. Once Vaudezilla made its presence known, it seemed natural to offer video services in general. So Dick (using his real name: Keith Emroll) runs the video side of things, and that’s kind of taken on a life of its own. If you see a video of Chicago burlesque on the web somewhere, there’s a good chance that Keith shot it!
6) What classical burlesque performers still inlfuence you the most? Or if not, any actresses or models?
Although I think so much of the classical burlesque dancing I see is gorgeous, I find that I am more inspired by vintage actors, instead. I love Charlie Chaplin, Lucy, and even Marilyn Monroe. I love watching old movies, which is part of why I think I'm such a ham on stage!
7) What input that you like to give during photo shoots? Do you always think about your image as an public entertainer or do you like to portray different kind of characters?
I wouldn't enjoy modeling if I weren't able to portray different kinds of characters while I did it. Part of the draw for me as an entertainer and model is the chance to step out of the mundane and into a picture or production that has the potential to last decades or longer!
8) OK now what is your biggest fashion weakness… corsets? towering platform shoes? or any other? ;)
Right now, it’s all about the rhinestones! If I could encrust every costume piece I have with rhinestones, I absolutely would. I really shouldn’t tell you this, but NASA has contacted me and asked me if they could use my costumes just in case the sun burns out.
9) Would you ever consider doing something of a more fetishistic nature? How about wearing latex?
When it comes to burlesque, I like to focus more on acts that tell stories or are funny. I think there are some terrific fetish performers out there, and I certainly enjoy watching them do it. But for my own performances, it’s not really my thing.
10) Whose idea was it to mix burlesque and…The Big Lebowski?
Dick actually came up with the concept while we were brainstorming ideas for a theater burlesque show. At the time, he was only half-serious about it, but for some reason, the idea stuck. We both love the movie and practically know it by heart, so we kicked the idea around some more and realized that it was a perfect fit. The movie has such strange, colorful, and memorable characters. They’re tailor-made for a nice burlesque send-up, so we took the soundtrack, whipped up some sketches and burlesque acts, and turned it all into a big hit!
11) OK what was the deal with the pic where you’re wearing that bird suit…? :D
You got something against penguins, mister? ;-) Kidding aside, that act was a case of necessity being the mother of invention. I was invited to be in a themed burlesque show where all the acts had to have something to do with animals. This was around the time that Dick picked up the boxed set of the “Ocean’s” movies, and there was an arrangement of “Caravan” in “Ocean’s Thirteen” that I absolutely loved. And for some reason, I could just picture penguins wadding around to that song. So, I found a penguin costume, grabbed my rhinestones, and went to work. Don’t look at me like that... ;-)
12) Do you actually have time to relax? Any favorite activities?
I keep myself pretty busy, but I do get to take advantage of some down time every now and then. I had a nice Hawaiian vacation over the holidays last year. But on a more modest level, movies are always a nice way to relax (and get inspiration sometimes!). The occasional round of miniature golf is always fun. I also like to paint and draw, especially because those are things that I do just for me. And I’m a big fan of the fine dining, and would never turn down an opportunity to enjoy some sushi!
13) Any chance that you (and your troupe!) could visit us in Montreal soon?
Well, world domination is Vaudezilla’s ultimate goal. And everybody knows that the road to world domination runs through Montreal. So, I would say it’s inevitable. 8-)