Burlesque Act Development (BAD)
Create, develop, and debut your own original burlesque act through mentorship, creative exploration, and performance training at Philadelphia Burlesque Academy.
Create the Act Only You Can Perform
Every burlesque act begins with an idea.
Burlesque Act Development (BAD) is PBA's signature solo performance series, designed to help you turn that idea into a fully realized act. Through mentorship, workshops, rehearsal, and performance, you'll create work that's rooted in your own creativity, voice, and perspective.
Whether it's your first solo or your fifth, BAD is about creating something that's uniquely yours.
Inside Burlesque Act Development (BAD)
Develop your act from beginning to end with guidance throughout the creative process.
Creative Development
Explore movement, character, musicality, makeup, history, and more through workshops led by guest artists.
Specialty Workshops
Receive personalized coaching and feedback to help refine your act throughout the series.
One-on-One Mentorship
Spend a full day diving deeper into your work alongside your cohort, complete with a group photoshoot.
Immersive Creative Day
Receive complimentary studio time to rehearse and develop your act.
Rehearsing Support
Student Showcase
Debut your burlesque act in front of a live audience at the end of the series. Receive media of your performance for promo and review.
Upcoming Burlesque Act Development Session
with Ginger Leigh,
Cherry Bomb, + special guests!
Fall 2026 registration is open!
Burlesque History Happy Hour
Thursday, September 24th 2026 at 7PM - 9:30PM
Workshops
Thursday, October 1st, 2026 from 7PM - 9:30PM
Thursday, October 8th, 2026 from 7PM - 9:30PM
Thursday, October 15th, 2026 from 7PM - 9:30PM
Thursday, October 22nd, 2026 from 7PM - 9:30PM
Thursday, October 29th, 2026 from 7PM - 9:30PM
Thursday, November 5th, 2026 from 7PM - 9:30 PM
Thursday, November 12th, 2026 from 7PM - 9:30PM
Immersive + Group Photo Shoot
Saturday, October 11th 2026 from 1PM to 6PM
Student Showcase
Sunday, November 15th, 2026 at from 3PM call time to end of show.
Potluck & Showcase Watch Party
Thursday, November 19th 2026 7-9PM
All above dates are required for the series and registration demonstrates you are available and will be present for all sessions.
Please see below for additional information about pricing, terms, & cancellation.
IMPORTANT:While there will be some movement workshops involved, this series will NOT be solely focused on dance classes. This series focuses on helping you create a burlesque act. Movement/dance is only one component of a burlesque act! If you would like to hone your dance skills, we highly recommend taking some of our other movement offerings.
This series is for the creation of SOLO burlesque acts. No duos, trios, or group acts.
In addition to honing your technical and performance skills, you will build your self confidence, be encouraged to take up space, allow your creative juices to flow, feel challenged in the best possible way, and bond with a group of like minded individuals in a supportive and loving environment.
Please be prepared to: Be challenged, attend all sessions, try new things, create your act outside of class time utilizing learned skills and instructor feedback, acquire or create your costume, and be a supportive member of your classmates. Due to the nature of this series, there are no makeup classes for missed sessions.
Who is Burlesque Act Development for?
Newbies who are ready to perform in a burlesque show for the first time! *Please see pre-requisites below.
Newer performers looking to level up their burlesque skills!
The Philadelphia Burlesque Academy is for all genders, bodies, races, ethnic backgrounds, and beyond!
IMPORTANT:
All classes are required for your benefit! Emergencies happen, but if you anticipate missing more than one class, we recommend holding off for another session. There are no makeup classes for missed sessions.
Both prerequisites below must be met by the first day of class.
Have seen at least 3 burlesque shows in-person.
Taken at least 5 burlesque classes OR have performed in 2 burlesque shows.
* ALL STUDENTS MUST BE 21 OR OLDER.
Not sure if you are ready for Burlesque Act Development? Email philadelphiaburlesqueacademy@gmail.com with any and all questions!
STOP!
BEFORE REGISTERING:
Have you read ALL of the information above? Have you read the CANCELLATION POLICY at the bottom of this page?
If the answer is “no” to either question, please go back and read before proceeding!
REGISTRATION
General Admission: $645
Super Early Bird Rate: $545 - Enter code SUPERF26 at checkout by Aug. 13, 2026.
BIPOC Rate: $585 - Enter code BADFB26 at checkout. No expiration.
Regular GA Early Bird Rate: $595 - Enter code EARLYBF26 at checkout by Aug. 27, 2026.
GA Payment Plan: 5 payments of $129 each.
BIPOC Payment Plan: 1 payment of $69 and 4 payments of $129 each.
Payment plan info and registration below.
PAYMENT PLANS HAVE CHANGED CHANGED!
We have switched to Acuity Scheduling. What has changed?
Acuity calls payment plans “subscriptions”.
You will no longer be invoiced.
Your first payment will be made at registration and you will automatically be charged for your remaining 4 payments every 2 weeks.
BIPOC Students: Your full discount will be taken from your first payment rather than spread across all payments.
How to register with a payment plan (subscription):
Click the “PAYMENT PLANS REGISTER HERE” below AFTER you have read directions.
Click “add to cart”.
Follow prompts, enter your info, payment info, etc, and click “pay and confirm”.
BIPOC Students: Enter code 5BADFB26 and click “apply” on the payment info page. Your full $60 discount will be taken from your first payment.
All students:Click “use subscription” to register.
🗣️THIS IS IMPORTANT!If you do not click “use subscription” after paying, you will not be registered for class and risk losing your spot!
You will also be emailed the link to register for class in case you close out of the last page.
Remaining payments: You will automatically be charged every 2 weeks to your card on file for your remaining 4 payments.
***When using your payment plan/ subscription to register for class, you will be prompted to “pay and confirm”. You will not be charged as your subscription is your payment at this point.