Meet Betty Butcher | Burlesque Performer/Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Betty Butcher and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Betty, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking

Tomorrow isn’t promised!
Risk taking is important because first off, you’ll never know until you try. If it fails, take a step back, try a different method. There really is no harm in failing. You really cannot obtain your goals until you put yourself out there and take the risks. I would not have made a jump into burlesque in general if I didn’t put myself out there and make connections (sometimes even embarrassing myself) its all worth it in the end. This performance art is a risk when you are on and off the stage. It can hurt your ego and also make you feel like you are the coolest person all at once. After I took all the risks coming my way I am now a where I want to be!

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Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Burlesque is an inclusive performance art. There are so many performers that are all so different and unique so I wouldn’t say that there is anything that sets me apart because, we all have something to offer. I would say what sets me apart is probably how I am as a person. I try to be a support system for all of my peers. I try to foster a healthy environment and lead by example. If I can encourage other performers to be confident and believe in themselves then we give the audience a better show. When everyone is feels good the audience feels good!

What I am most excited about is seeing where the wind takes me. Where will I be in the next 10 years? Who knows it’s a mystery but I’m excited for the ride. These couple of years have already taken me far. The sky is the limit.

How I got to where I am today professionally is by putting myself out there, emailing producers, going to shows, meeting people in the community. I can be really shy so this was a struggle for me. I did burlesque classes starting out with another company it served it’s purpose as a baby burlesquer but it ended up not being a good fit for me as I was growing in a different direction. Once I left the first company, I started with BlueStocking Burlesque and took the leap on a soloist career.
everything started falling into place. People could really tell I wanted it so badly. I was/am consistent and driven, people really see that in me. I am now a traveling performer, producer, and booked consistently.

A couple lessons I learn from the journey is that:

1. Rejection in a part of the process.
2. Surround yourself with people who support you.
3. I have learned valuable skills I never thought I’d even try (sewing, music editing, graphic design, etc)

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If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh boy!

Of course I would suggest one of my shows, probably getting cocktails at a fun bar like Electric Cure or Luci’s Shambles and Provisions. Hike around Lookout Mountain, take the gondola ride and tour the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, gamble in Blackhawk at Sasquatch Casino, take a walk through Denver Botanical Gardens, Drag shows at Hamburger Mary’s. Antiquing at The Brass Armadillo. So much to do!

For food I would suggest Blue Sushi (they have amazing vegan sushi option) and Meta Burger in Edgewater Public Market.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to Shoutout my burlesque mother, Bang Bang Von Loola, and my burlesque family BlueStocking Burlesque. They have given me encouragement, love, and space to grow as a performer. I came from a very unsavory situation in the beginning of my burlesque days. They really showed me what a burlesque troupe is all about. I cannot thank them enough for that. I honestly feel saved.

You can catch BlueStocking Burlesque in Fort Collins twice a month either at The Lyric Cinema for brunch or The Comedy Fort for our night time show.

I also wanted to Shoutout another company who has welcomed me with open arms. Broken Babes Burlesque. They are a inclusive and accessibility driven burlesque company who provides space for performers with disabilities of all kinds. Definitely check them out!

I would also like to Shoutout my co-producer for Giggle Water Burlesque, Sarah Sawchuk. She has been my rock through this process and we are a perfect duo. I cant wait to see what we can do when we put our minds together. She is also a local comedian and you can see her perform in several different venues across Colorado.

You can catch Giggle Water’s first show at Death & Company September 13th.

Instagram: bettyxbutcher

Image Credits
Bettina May Studios Liliac and Fern Photography Penny & Dime Photography Caleb Jon Photo