There’s a special kind of magic at the heart of BurlyCon Peer Review.
Peer Review isn’t a competition. It isn’t a critique session designed to tear work apart. It’s a collaborative, supportive space where performers can test ideas, refine acts, and receive thoughtful feedback from experienced industry professionals and fellow artists.
Whether you’re building a brand-new concept from scratch or refining an act you’ve been developing for months, Peer Review offers something that can be hard to find elsewhere: honest, constructive insight in a room full of people rooting for your success.
What Is Peer Review?
BurlyCon Peer Review is an opportunity for performers to present a work-in-progress act and receive feedback from respected industry peers, instructors, and audience members.
Participants can ask for feedback on specific elements of their performance, including:
- Costuming and visual storytelling
- Musicality and timing
- Character and concept clarity
- Narrative structure
- Stage presence
- Transitions and pacing
Performers receive focused observations and suggestions designed to help strengthen the act while preserving the artist’s unique vision.
What Happens During Peer Review?
Peer Review takes place during BurlyCon and is open to registered convention attendees. Performers present their act live on stage in front of:
- A panel of industry professionals
- Fellow attendees and peers
- An audience invested in helping artists succeed
Immediately following the performance, participants receive verbal feedback from the panel along with written audience feedback to take home and reflect on later.
It’s equal parts performance opportunity, educational experience, and creative workshop.
This is a closed event. It is only open to BurlyCon attendees.
Who Should Apply?
Peer Review welcomes:
- Brand-new performers developing early concepts
- Experienced artists refining established acts
- Experimental ideas that need outside eyes
- Acts stuck in “almost there” territory
- Performers looking to deepen storytelling or polish details
The selection process intentionally seeks a wide range of burlesque performers, perspectives, and experiences. Applications are reviewed with attention to representation.
The goal is not perfection. The goal is growth.
How to Apply
- Applications open July 15
- Applications close August 21
- Notifications go out by September 18, 2026
What do you need to apply?
While submitting a video is strongly encouraged, it is not required. A clear written description of your act can still help reviewers understand your concept and intentions. It is helpful to include as much information as you can when submitting your application. When selecting participants, we look for a variety of acts—new performers, seasoned performers, and a diverse group.
If selected, performers will later submit tech information and have an opportunity to walk the stage before the event begins.
One practical tip from seasoned participants: bring a robe or cover-up for the feedback portion afterward. You’ll remain on stage while receiving comments and insights from the panel.
Why Artists Keep Coming Back
Peer Review is one of those rare experiences where artists can be both brave and supported at the same time. It’s where:
- Tiny adjustments can create major breakthroughs
- New ideas emerge from collaboration
- Artists learn what audiences are actually seeing
- Community becomes part of the creative process
Sometimes the feedback confirms your instincts. Sometimes it challenges you in exciting ways. Either way, you leave with more clarity than you walked in with.
