Performer FAQs

Does ABF have a Health and Safety plan?

ABF is in the process of developing a Health & Safety Plan that will be distributed to all staff and performers prior to the festival. Our Health & Safety Plan will be in line with Nova Scotia Provincial guidelines, as well as requirements from our venues. More information will be released closer to the festival dates to remain in line with current provincial guidelines. 

Selection Process:

What kind of acts are you looking for?

Blow us out of the water with your burlesque! ABF is open to all burlesque styles, genres, and interpretations: Classic, nerdy, acrobatic, funny, political, raunchy and beyond! We invite applicants of all identities to submit unique acts of all kinds. Ideally (though not necessarily), these acts have been well-established and developed into the best versions of themselves.

Our festival venue can not support acts including aerial apparatus/pole, live animals, loose glitter of any kind, fire, fake blood, or any liquids/mess that is not easily picked up or swept off the stage, and all performers are required to wear pasties.

Note: For 2025, we are only accepting applications from performers within Canada for all showcases.

Acts that are offensive towards historically marginalized groups or involve culturally inappropriate costumes will automatically be disqualified.

What is ABF looking for in an application?

Throughout the application process, we are looking for your ability to follow instructions, supply functioning links, and ensure your responses are relevant and concise. You may edit your submissions until the official deadline to ensure your links work and there are no mistakes.

Use video with good quality images and sound, clear facial expressions and movement, and consider editing out long host intros. The ABF team will consider rehearsal videos as well as stage videos. Videos taken in your living room will be given the same consideration as live performance videos.

Who is reviewing my application?

All applications will be reviewed by select members of the Atlantic Burlesque Cooperative and outside community members. Our selection committee reflects the diverse festival we aspire to program. Learn more about them here.

What if more than one of my acts scores high?

If a performer has multiple acts that score favourably high, only one solo will be programmed in the festival. However, this does not preclude soloists from participating in other duets/group acts.

Am I more likely to be accepted to perform due to my identity declaration?

No, outside community members on the selection committee will not be provided with your identity declaration. The identity declaration will be used to ensure the final lineup chosen from top-scoring acts is inclusive and represents the broader burlesque community and the world. All acts chosen must be, and thus if chosen, are festival-ready.

Do you offer feedback on the acts you review?

Due to our board working from a volunteer point of view, we will not be offering feedback at this time.

Submissions:

How many acts can I submit?

Performers may apply with 2 acts maximum.

The first act is free to submit; there is a fee of $10 for your second act.

Payment must be sent via EMT to atlanticburlesquefestival@gmail.com with the memo APPLICATION FEE and your stage name.

BIPOC application fees for both acts are waived through the entire application period.

We encourage you to submit the best of your best and only acts you feel prepared to put on stage and wow a festival audience.

Can I submit an application without a video?

No, applications without video will not be considered.

Did you receive my application? I did not receive an email confirmation that my application was completed.

​​I​​f the email confirmation doesn't show up in your inbox, please check your spam/junk folder. If you still can't find your confirmation, your application may not have been submitted successfully. Please email us at atlanticburlesquefestival@gmail.com if you are unsure, and we will look into it.

(Also, be sure to add atlanticburlesquefestival@gmail.com to your list of trusted addresses or pull us into your primary folder so we don't end up in your spam 🙂)

Will ABF notify me if there is something wrong with my application?

We will make our best effort to review every application submitted to ensure the links work and the fee is paid. Should one of these requirements not be met we will email you. All applicants will be given one opportunity to fix their submitted application before the deadline. If not completed, your application will be disqualified.

Post deadline, if we discover a problem with your application (for example, sometimes videos get taken offline by their original uploaders or hosting platforms without the applicant's knowledge), the same rule applies: we will notify you immediately, giving you one chance to avoid disqualification.

Will all applicants, successful AND unsuccessful, be notified of their curation results?

Yes - whether accepted to perform or not, all applicants will receive an email once the selection process is complete. Applicants who submitted one act that was programmed will receive an acceptance email. If you applied with multiple acts and we selected one of them, you will ONLY receive an email about the act that was programmed. If you submitted one or multiple applications and none were accepted, we will email you and let you know.

When will I be notified whether or not my act made it into the festival?

All applicants will receive an email with the status of their application by January 31, 2025. If you are accepted, you will receive the date/showcase in which you are performing in your email.

Restrictions:

What are the time restrictions for submissions?

Solos are limited to a maximum of 4 minutes. Duo’s/Group acts are limited to a maximum of 5 minutes. 

My video is longer than the time limit - is that a problem?

As long as your performance falls within the time restriction or can be cut down, the video you submit can be longer. 

NOTE: If your act/video is longer, you MUST provide a note on the application denoting which section for our selection committee to watch and/or how the act will be cut down for the festival time limits.

Fees & Compensation:

Why do you charge a non-refundable application fee?

The Atlantic Burlesque Festival is largely volunteer-run. Application fees will go towards honorariums for outside selection committee members and other expenses incurred towards making this festival happen.

What is the fee to apply?

The first act is free to submit, but if you wish to submit a second act there is a fee of $10.

Payment must be sent via EMT to AtlanticBurlesqueFestival@gmail.com with the memo APPLICATION FEE and your stage name.

BIPOC application fees for both acts are waived through the entire application period.

Will accepted applicants receive a performance honorarium? If so, how much?

Any performer appearing onstage in an accepted act is guaranteed an honorarium of $100.00 CAD per act. ABF will also provide photos and videos of each act presented at the festival.

Does ABF provide financial assistance to accepted applicants for prop transportation, travel, or lodging?

We currently do not cover the costs associated with shipping/transporting props, travel, or lodging. ABF will attempt to facilitate billeting/homestay arrangements within our burlesque community for non-local performers requesting a place to stay; ABF can also help suggest effective transportation methods within the city; attempt to connect those willing to carpool; and in the sourcing of typical stage props such as chairs, risers, and other equipment that may be difficult to bring in from elsewhere.

Deadline:

Would you extend the deadline?

We can not extend the deadline.

Can I edit my application after I have submitted it? How do I do that?

Yes, you may! To review and/or edit your response, open the email confirmation (automatically emailed to you each time you successfully apply) and click the "EDIT RESPONSE" button.

Can I edit my application after the deadline has passed?

We can not accept any edits after the deadline.

Can I submit a different/better video after the deadline?

We can not accept any video changes after the deadline.