Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to June Cleavidge. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, June thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I have always known I wanted to have an artistic career. As a child, I used to sing in perform every chance I got, and in high school, I got to work backstage on a community theatre show. That changed my mind. I loved being backstage, and let’s be real, telling everybody what to do. That led to my first professional theatre job. It was in a different state, and at 18 I packed up and was off to see the world. I ended up with many professional theatre jobs throughout my years. I took a break from national theatre tours to take a vacation to New York City. I got a job there during my vacation and decided to stay. I worked in NYC on some broadway, off-broadway, and way off-broadway shows, as well as at a musical theatre conservatory for almost 10 years. I learned from some amazing colleagues there and when my life brought me to Arizona, I felt like all of my artistic jobs had led me here to put all my theatre and teaching knowledge to work for my own studio. I am lucky that most of my adult life I have had a job in the arts. And I am lucky now, that this is what I get to do for a living.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I spoke about my history as part of the last question, so I will focus here on what I do now. I decided to try burlesque on a whim. I never thought it would change my life as it has. I started performing and then teaching and helping produce shows. for years. I bought the studio where I had been a student in 2019. We teach burlesque, tap, jazz, and Bellydance.
I feel like as a queer, disabled performer and producer I bring a very different perspective to help people get comfortable in their own bodies. People really seem to find us when they need an injection of confidence and camaraderie, and the studio provides a safe haven for all of our students and performers. Performing is really exposing vulnerability, and when that is expressed it really becomes a superpower.
My theatre background really helps me lean on the storytelling of dance, and i think that the theatrical elements of our VaVaVariety shows are really special additions.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding thing for me is watching people become a version of themselves they never thought possible. I see people start classes as timid and shy, sometimes fresh from a big life event. I love watching them fall in love with themselves and then blossom into fantastic performers. I cry every time someone has their first performance on stage. I am so proud and happy for them. It is an amazing feeling and I am so happy to be able to offer a space for people to experience that.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Pay them. Artists are expected to work for free or low cost. Because it is just a picture, an act, or song… people see that it only takes someone a few minutes for someone to consume the art, and dont see the hours of practice and skill and talent that happens before those few minutes.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.burlesqueaz.com
• Instagram: @burlesqueaz
• Facebook: @studiovavavoom

Image Credits
Jacob Spinney, Joseph Allison Photography, Freddie Feenis Photography, Glen Goldblatt