Inclusivity in Presenter Training
Before stepping into the classroom, all BurlyCon presenters complete required inclusivity training focused on creating respectful and accessible learning environments.
Why This Training Matters
BurlyCon brings together people with different backgrounds, experiences, bodies, abilities, identities, and levels of experience. As presenters, we have a responsibility to make our classrooms places where participants can focus on learning, experimenting, and connecting.
This training gives you practical tools for doing just that. It covers the ways we communicate, teach, set expectations, navigate boundaries, and respond when something doesn’t go as planned.
Why Inclusivity Matters
Burlesque has always made room for people to explore identity, creativity, performance, and self-expression. That means our classrooms need to make room for people, too.
For many participants, a BurlyCon class is an opportunity to try something they’ve never done before. They may be stepping outside their comfort zone, learning in a body that doesn’t always feel represented in traditional spaces, or simply wondering whether they belong in the room. The way a presenter teaches can make a meaningful difference in that experience.
Inclusivity isn’t about having the perfect words or knowing everything about every person who walks into your class. Instead, it’s about approaching your students with curiosity, respect, and a willingness to adapt. It means recognizing that people learn differently, move differently, communicate differently, and bring different experiences with them.
Just as importantly, inclusive teaching benefits everyone. When participants understand what’s expected, know their boundaries will be respected, and feel comfortable asking questions or modifying an activity, they have more room to focus on learning and creativity.
At BurlyCon, we want presenters to create classrooms where people can participate without having to spend their energy wondering whether they belong. When we make our teaching more inclusive, we make more room for people to learn, experiment, take creative risks, and discover what they’re capable of.
