We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lyla Cascata a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Lyla thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I come from a background of performance, but I wouldn’t call myself a “professional dancer.” I have enough dance training to know the basic foundations, and that was all I needed to start. I always loved the glamorous allure of Burlesque, and wanted to learn the art of it. I was going through a transition period of my personal life, and I found a chair dance workshop with AFV Exotic Arts in Charlotte, NC. I loved getting back into choreography, and hired her later to help develop a dance for me. The empowerment I felt during that creation process was groundbreaking! The feminine Goddess Energy inside me was unleashed, and I knew I’d never let that go again. After training privately for several months, the opportunity to perform professionally presented itself, and I made sure my debut performance was a strong one. I rehearsed constantly and made sure my costumes were stage worthy. When the time came, the crowd was welcoming and enthusiastic. Those few minutes on stage with a live audience reignited a need in me that I had forgotten I had, and I was hooked.
I’ve been performing for a little over a year, and I’ve accomplished more than most do in three. I attribute this to hard work, dedication, and a very good mentor and instructor. I am constantly learning and growing, and I’m coming to understand and respect my own body and the persona I want to project on stage. I’ve learned that in Burlesque, being unique is difficult, but necessary. I don’t need to compete with, or compare myself to anyone else. I need to honor who I am and be the best version of the performer that I can be.
I believe strongly in having a mentor to guide you. This industry always has more and more people joining, which is wonderful! It’s great more people feel comfortable expressing themselves this way. But it is also important to have someone who can fine tune and polish your acts, as that level of detail sets performers apart from others. I continue to work with AFV Exotic Arts regularly, and having a second set of eyes helps elevate my acts to a higher level.
Knowing your history, and respecting why this art form needs to be kept alive, is fundamental. We can’t know where we are headed if we don’t remember where we came from. In my performances, I like to honor the trailblazing women who made this an art form.
Burlesque is a commitment – both in time and finances. Costuming and lessons are a large investment, and are important to succeed. Many times, performances can mean time away from a “day job” and do require travel. It is necessary though, to be seen, perform, and meet the right people to be invited back. Social media is a tool, but it does not replace face to face interaction.
Burlesque is also a misunderstood art form, particularly in the Bible Belt southern states. Some people see this as something scandalous, and mistake this historical art form for overt, attention seeking sexuality. However, I strongly believe there is nothing more powerful than a confident person showing the world they are comfortable in their own skin. There’s a lot of power in the performer saying “It’s OK – I’ll allow you to look. But ONLY on my terms.” That is the Art of the Tease!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Lyla Cascata, and I am a Burlesque Performer. My acts lean to the Classic side of Burlesque performance, which honors the roots of our craft, and pays tribute to the Vaudeville style that is the foundation of many performing arts seen today. Burlesque can be many things – sultry, funny, political, sad, happy, and most of the time – beautiful. These concepts are all expressed through movement, and bring all the senses into play.
In my area, consistent formal Burlesque training is hard to come by, so I found a experienced private tutor and trained with her for several months before I ever considered performing publicly. I learned about the concepts of every Burlesque act, the history of our art form, and about those who pioneered our industry, as well as those who continue it today. After a few weeks of theory training, we started with movement. I learned how to develop a character, tell a story, make a stage-worthy costume, incorporate the use of props, all while showing these concepts through various dance moves set to music. As my teacher Annie says, Burlesque is “sexy theatre!”
As a performer, I love to channel the Feminine Energy that is inside many of us, and inspire those around me to channel it in themselves. I love to remind my audience that being comfortable in your own body, and showcasing that idea, is highly empowering. My style is reminiscent of the Vargas style Pin-ups of the 1940s and 50’s, and I love portraying that Fun Cheesecake mentality. My acts focus on polished movement and the use of creative props to make my performances more interesting and entertaining. I’m very proud of all I’ve accomplished as someone who is considered to still be a “new comer” to Burlesque. I’ve worked very hard to be a quality performer, and I give all my energy to my audience and production team when I am on stage. I rehearse constantly, and I always maintain my professionalism both on stage and behind it. I love when someone says “I can’t believe you’ve only been performing less than two years! I thought you’d have been at it for a decade!” I take that as validation that my hard work and dedication to my craft is paying off.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Since the epic year that was 2020, I’ve found more and more people simply don’t want to leave their homes. They’ve become content with watching something or someone online instead of seeing them in person. As a Live Performance Artist, there is nothing more important to us than people supporting our endevors. This means – buy a ticket to a show! Come out and see your local performers, who pour their hearts and souls into their craft, and experience the energy of a live performance! Tip your performers. Many don’t realize this, but tips from our audience are usually a large part of our income – this not only keeps us covered in rhinestones, but puts gas in our cars, provides childcare when needed, and allows us to further our endevors. If you live in an area that doesn’t have a show nearby, you can still purchase a ticket to support the production team, even if you can’t come. This enables them to put on more shows, and maybe they can come to your town. If you follow a certain artist online, or know them, consider reaching out and offering them some support. Many of us accept digital tips, and this goes a long way in helping us continue our art form. But above all – if you’ve never experienced a live show, I highly suggest seeing one. There is simply no other substitute for a Real Life In Person experience. I promise, you’ll love it!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Since joining the Burlesque community, I’ve met the most creative and interesting people. I love asking fellow performers about their acts, seeing how they conceptualized their stories and characters, created their costumes and props, and wathcing how they interact with their audience members. Every performance I’ve seen has taught me something, and helped me improve. I’ve also met some of the most generous and kind hearted individuals willing to help others – whether it be opening their homes to me while I’m travelling, offering an encouraging statement, or a very good piece of advice. I’ve formed relationships that will last a lifetime.
I’ve also learned to look at myself differently. When I stand in front of a mirror these days, I no longer see my body as “good or bad” or “pretty or ugly.” I see my body as a vehicle for art and movement. If my body can’t do something one day, I find another way. I have learned to accept myself as a living, changing being, that every day will be able to do something differently. The only way to find many of the movements we use in Burlesque is by standing in front of a mirror, making peace with your body, and learning how to work with it. That in itself, is life changing.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lylacascata/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lyla.cascata/
Image Credits
Photos by Erin L. Hubbs