From Rural Roots to Collective Artistry
When distance feels greater than access and rural roads stretch longer than community circles, artistry can begin to feel isolated from opportunity. In those moments, leaving home can help you rediscover what’s possible.
For Princ X Switchblade, BurlyCon became that turning point. Below is Princ’s reflection on how one weekend expanded community, strengthened confidence, and transformed artistry into agency through collaboration and production.
BurlyCon has given me a sense of direction in my art and a connection to the outer Burlesque community.
Because I live in a rural county — Humboldt County, CA — access can sometimes feel limited. BurlyCon has helped me make lasting friendships with performers from all over the world. The classes are so incredible.
Our art has so much history, both through literature and through physical art and movement, so to study it in a way that is similar to a college is invaluable. Both years I have gone felt so magical, and in 2025, we had 6 performers from my area make it to BurlyCon, and with how isolated our county can be, it was incredible.
Since returning home, I’ve already seen growth. For example, producers who took the production class are applying what they learned. Likewise, performers are incorporating new chair work, dance, and floorwork techniques into their acts. In just one weekend, the impact of Burlyon has rippled outward into our local community.
“I sometimes can’t believe that so much information was gained in the one weekend attending.”
It’s simply magical. I took the production class this past year and am now producing my first show this weekend. I feel incredibly confident and excited to be producing this show with everything I was able to take away from that class.
Artistry as Agency means lifting up the community as a whole, providing opportunities to other performers, helping them get paid for all of their hard work, helping their art get seen.
We need to he working together as a community. And to try and collaborate between different productions within the community. We are not each other’s competition.
“We need to uplift each other, especially in these times.”
Follow @princxswitchblade on Instagram for more about their endeavors!
Build your map. Find your people. Register for BurlyCon 2026 and claim your place in a community where Artistry as Agency becomes real.
