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

Ruby, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I began my burlesque career by taking classes at a local school focusing on burlesque techniques. It was an immersive way to learn the basic movements of burlesque. I still take classes regularly. Burlesque is constantly evolving and maintaining your learning is important (it’s really important in any industry)! I come from an athletic background, not a performance background, so my idea of training was to take each step at a time until I felt comfortable moving on. I took classes for a solid 16 months before I felt ready to dive into my first solo performance. That is what worked for me. In addition to the basic movements of burlesque, it is so important to learn how to connect with an audience and develop that sense of TEASE – which is really the definition of burlesque. Also, I read several books and did a deep dive into the history of burlesque. Burlesque is not my full-time job; I have a day job. The day job was what helped financially allow me to do burlesque, but it is a hindrance to the schedule. Often, I need to say no to gigs or activities because it just doesn’t work out with my work schedule. That is a choice each performer has to make.

Ruby, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Growing up, I watched a lot of classic movies, especially musicals. I was fascinated by the grandeur of them all. The women were so glamorous and the sets!!! It was enthralling to me to feel like that could be how things were. I became involved in the vintage community and was a pinup model at local events and for print work. That was my gateway to burlesque. In my burlesque classes, I quickly learned that I could be whatever “character” I wanted onstage and this was my perfect opportunity to live some version of the lifestyle the women were living in these musicals. I was hooked! My stage personality and look are heavily influenced by the Ziegfeld follies and those beautiful technicolor women. I regularly perform throughout Chicago. I also produce a live band burlesque show, which is really a unique audience experience. Seeing performances dance to live musicians and their interaction is so special. I look forward to the show each time it’s on my calendar. Recently, I also opened the Chicago School of Burlesque a burlesque and drag dance school to help provide resources that I found so valuable when starting my burlesque journey.v I’m so proud of the Chicago burlesque scene and how lively it is.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being creative is really getting to make people happy. My favorite part of every performance is getting to interact with the audience and allowing them to have a good time with me. We are always so focused on our work and all the difficulties we deal with daily, that it is nice to have an escape for a little bit. Burlesque shows are funny, rowdy, poignant, silly… you name it. It’s really a wonderful way to connect with folks.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Burlesque is not a money-making industry and often, cities are losing their spaces to hold shows. The best way society can support burlesque and burlesque performers is by going to shows, buying merchandise performers are selling, and interacting with them on social media. Because of the nature of burlesque, many performers and show materials are censored online, so it is hard for us to share what we are up to with fans. We need our audience – you are the key to keeping us going and creating and loving what we do!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rubyspencer.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rubyspencerchi/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rubyspencerpinup/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6XSuuyFmH6u73_60GCazGA
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@rubyspencerpinup

Image Credits
Mike White Photography Tim Hunter Photography