In 2 days I will be competing for the largest competition of my career to date. Miss Burlesque Victoria is the state heat for the title, and the winner will move onto competing in the national finals in Perth on July 28th.
I say this is the biggest competition of my career to date as I'm actually in it to win it this time. In 2014 I competed in Miss Burlesque NSW and didn't place due to my lack of overall work ethic. Or actually, my over commitment to multiple projects at the one time. 2 weeks before that competition I opened a theater show I had designed the costumes and set for, and one week before I debuted my clothing line in a huge fashion show. So, my preparation for the competition in 2014 was slack, and it showed.
This time around I've spent almost 6 months preparing the 2 acts I need to perform. These acts I have chosen to perform are projects that have been in the making since I started burlesque, and both represent who Maple Rose is as a character to the most professional level I can muster. I won't even begin to talk about the amount of money that's been thrown into this project, but I'll hint that I could probably have bought a car. A new car. Yikes!
This journey has been an incredibly emotional one. I don't normally write personal posts on this blog because I like to keep my website completely professional, but as a creative we need to be aware that emotion plays a huge part in our creations. The drive behind what we do is completely emotional, no matter where that inspiration comes from. I decided to do Miss Burlesque Victoria because I felt that since I've been back from Sweden, I've just fallen into the category of "assistant" and haven't really proven myself as a solo artist to the Australian industry. I was spending too much time producing and shepherding other artists that my own art form had fallen by the wayside. By signing up to do this competition, I was forced to spend time working on why I chose to do burlesque in the first place.
My confidence levels have been on a roster coaster ride since I began working on these acts. Emotionally I was in a bad place back in January when I began, and the strive to separate myself from projects pushed me hard. I threw myself into my work instead of spending time working on why I needed to do this, and after a few months it was really playing it's toll. Yoga, meditation and therapy have helped me break away from my anxieties, but my art form has been the main cure. I've had multiple "big shots" in the industry look at my acts for this competition, many saying opposing arguments, but in the end, I know that what I'm putting up is completely me and the best I can do.
So, the purpose of this post is to say that no matter what you're feeling, what other people are saying, or what they are doing to you, your art form needs to showcase YOU. You put out the best work you can, and you'll feel amazing, no matter what the outcome. Yes, I'm in it to win it this time, but even if I don't place I'll be confident that what I've shown is the best that I can be.
Good luck to all of the amazing competitors this year. We're all so different, incredibly professional, and super talented! It's going to be one hell of a show!
There are still tickets available for this Saturday's competition.
Buy them at the ticket link below: