Performers from everywhere are invited to apply to compete or perform in one of our showcases. We welcome acts of all styles and performers of any shape, size, color, ability, background or economic class. Please see information and guidelines below, if you still have questions after reviewing the application you may email our Competition Coordinator.
Application Scholarships are provided by Miss Spent Youth’s Academy of Mischief to those in economic need on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Miss Spent Youth for more information.
Please note we are not able to cover travel expenses at this time, but we will make every effort to assist in finding housing for out-of-town performers – based on availability.
Unfortunately we are not able to offer a performance spot for every applicant. However, we will extend a discount code for the next festival’s application to those who are not accepted this year.
The Competition
Applications open: Sept 1, 2024 12pm PT. Application closes Nov 8th, 10pm PST.
Titles might include:
- Miss Hollywood Burlesque – Female presenting performers
- Mr. Hollywood Burlesque – Male presenting performers
- Hollywood Starlet – Anyone performing burlesque for three years and under
- Chanteuse – Sing and strip acts
As opposed to previous festivals all titles are open to performers from anywhere.
As always this festival allows performers to choose the category they feel their act falls into. The Miss or Mr title can be changed to Mx based off what the winner prefers. We ask all competitors ahead of time if we need to have a MX sash which we will happily have available. Please note that we are continuing to monitor the ever evolving landscape of burlesque as a bigger conversation takes place. We are open to all suggestions however it’s become very clear that there is no one size fits all solution, so do not hesitate to reach out regarding this. We take inclusion very seriously and have a DEAI Consultant available as well if you have questions or concerns prior to or after submission.
Guidelines
Submission Judging:
All submissions are viewed and judged by expert burlesque performers, they judge based off the 5 categories outlined below on a scale of 1-10. These are subjective scores and the production team has no say or makes any alteration to these scores. Once the scores are tabulated the acts with the highest scores wishing to compete in their specified categories will be chosen regardless of race, gender identity, body size or religion. After the competitors are identified, the performers with the next highest scores will be slotted into showcases based off of what show their act fits.
Acts will be judged on the following categories:
-Tease Factor: The overall utilization of the art of Striptease
-Musicality: How the act works with the music
-Polish/Stage Presence: Encompassing the tightness of the act, stage utilization and all around stage presence of the performer
-Costume/Hair and Makeup: How these elements work to improve and match the act as a whole.
-Wow Factor: That special something that makes the performance stand out.
Please note that all acts must include striptease and may be no longer than 5 minutes
- Application fee is $20 through October 15th. After October 15th the application fee is $40
- No music over 5 minutes.
- No nudity. Pasties and g-string are required as minimum costume pieces.
- You may submit as many times as you like, but you will only be allowed to compete in one solo. We suggest you submit your strongest act.
- Age Requirement: 21
- Anyone engaging in online bullying, harassment or other conduct unbecoming of a performer will be removed from consideration at the producer’s discretion.
Competition Judging:
The competition is judged similarly to submissions in the 5 categories on a scale of 1-10. The prescores are not used during the final competition.
Showcases
The Hollywood Burlesque festival offers Several showcases in addition to the competition. Our goal is to highlight a variety of performers from the Southern California area and beyond. All Competition submissions will also be considered for the showcase (unless otherwise indicated on the application). If you’d like to apply for the showcase only please mark your application appropriately.
Tickets and Compensation for Performers
Each performer invited to perform will be offered a pass for the entire festival and a gift bag. Classes are offered at an additional cost.
If you are chosen to participate in HBQF, you cannot perform your festival act within 30 miles of Los Angeles, California, two weeks before or two weeks after HBQF. HBQF staff are unable to accommodate requests to perform on a different night from the night for which a performer is selected.
Ready to Apply?
Please pay your application fee 1st, you’ll need the order confirmation number for the application. You can apply as many times as you like, but each act requires it’s own submission form and fee. To pay for multiple submission click add to cart then adjust the quantity.