In The Haus: Lila Luxx
Lila Luxx, the vibrant force behind The Bombshell Burlesque Academy, has had a dynamic and unconventional journey into the world of burlesque. With roots in contemporary dance, commercial dance, and American-style cheerleading, Lila’s passion for performance art was reignited after a surgery that led her to explore the adaptive and glamorous world of burlesque. Her love for this art form blends vintage glamour with theatrical storytelling.
As The Bombshell Burlesque Academy relocates to a stunning new studio in Paddington, Brisbane, Lila Luxx is thrilled to expand its offerings with new classes and workshops starting on 17 August. Theatre Haus caught up with Lila to discuss her journey, inspirations from legends like Gypsy Rose Lee and Dita Von Teese, and her future aspirations. Join us as Lila shares insights into her creative process, the evolution of her academy, and her passion for empowering others through the art of burlesque.
We’d love to know more about the beginning of your career – where and how did you get your start?
My creative journey has not been linear at all! I’ve always been drawn to the stage, starting with contemporary & commercial dance and even American-style cheerleading, then studying Fine Arts in Acting, and a Post Grad in Arts & Cultural Management.
But after taking downtime after a surgery that left my body not as strong temporarily, it was the sparkle, performance art, and sheer fun of burlesque that truly captivated me. Not only does it have an incredibly DIY ethos, but that self-made element made it perfect for bodies like mine, as it could be endlessly adaptive. It felt like the perfect mix of vintage glamour and theatre and thus, my love affair with burlesque began!
What or who were some of your early influences or inspirations that shaped your career?
I have a mix of vintage legends and modern marvels to thank for my inspiration. Icons like Gypsy Rose Lee and Dita Von Teese lit the initial spark, and more locally Lena Marlene, La Viola Vixen, Captain Kidd, Imogen Kelly & Briefs, while my amazing peers in the burlesque community continue to inspire me every day. Plus, my background in theatre and dance gave me a strong foundation to really explore and push the boundaries of how I could make my acts my own.
What are some of the most defining moments or milestones in your career so far?
There have been so many incredible moments! Performing at The Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas (twice!) was a dream come true. I’ve also headlined the Australian Burlesque Festival and the Perth International Burlesque Festival, which were both absolutely amazing.
I’ve also been lucky enough to steer The Bombshell Burlesque Academy and Bombshell Burlesque, our events entity, through Covid and we’re still thriving today. That feels odd to list as a highlight, but I will never forget the tenacity and determination of our artists, tutors and students alike who kept us going.
What is a quirky fact about you, or something people wouldn’t expect about your story?
I grew up on a farm in rural North Queensland! It couldn’t be further away from the glamour of a burlesque stage, but I spent my youth running around outside between canefields, and playing on the beach!
What are you currently working on and how has that creative process been?
Right now, my focus is on setting up the new studio for The Bombshell Burlesque Academy in Paddington. We’re also always developing new courses and workshops, both in-person and through our Virtual Academy. It’s been a blast collaborating with talented tutors and seeing our community grow. Watching new burlesque stars emerge is truly rewarding!
What’s in your rehearsal bag that you can’t go without?
My rehearsal bag is always packed – it’s overflowing and probably has things in there that I’m not even aware of! I never leave without a couple of pairs of dance heels, double-sided tape, a pair of base underwear (we call them a safety g”), hair pins, setting spray, spirit gum and nail glue. I also have a tiny sewing kit for those last-minute costume fixes and, if I’m honest, the bottom of the bag always has whatever I’m digging for, rolling around with a handful of rhinestones and bobby pins.
Do you have a reading, teaching/advice, institution or resource that changed your life/perspective, which you’d recommend to others?
Absolutely! The mantra “Learn better, do better” has been a game-changer for me. It’s all about continuous improvement and staying curious. It’s ok not to know, but it’s up to you to learn and apply it. Whether you’re performing or teaching, always strive to learn and grow. It’s a philosophy that I live by and highly recommend to others.
When I started burlesque there was a lot of gatekeeping around knowledge, so we started The Bombshell Burlesque Virtual Academy to share the love to anyone with internet access! I wish I had had it when I started out to save me hours of mistakes!
What advice would you give to a young person today aspiring to walk in your shoes?
Stay true to your unique voice and vision! Embrace the journey, take classes to develop your skillset, and take those risks! Surround yourself with a supportive community, and always aim to uplift and inspire others. And most importantly, have fun! The path to success is all about passion, hard work, and having a positive impact on your art form.
What are your future aspirations or projects that you’re excited about?
I’m super excited about growing The Bombshell Burlesque Academy at our brand new Paddington location and creating even more opportunities for budding burlesque stars. Working in burlesque full-time was my goal, so I think I’m living my dream already!
Theatre Haus is the ‘home of theatre’, where, what or who do you call home?
Home is where the burlesque show is! For me, that’s Brisbane. This city’s vibrant arts scene and supportive community have been the backdrop for so many amazing moments. It’s where I’ve built The Bombshell Burlesque Academy and created spaces for people to express themselves and be celebrated.
For all their latest events and performances, check out Bombshell Burlesque’s website. Alternatively, you can sign up at the Virtual Academy or join in-person classes at their brand-new Paddington location, register here. Alternatively, follow Lila Luxx on her Instagram at @LilaLuxx or @BombshellBurlesque.
Want to feature in our In The Haus series? Email [email protected].
