Nightshade Conservatory
Burlesque Education
Nightshade Conservatory, located in beautiful Portland, Oregon, is a hub for burlesque education and entertainment. Led by Headmistress The Infamous Nina Nightshade, who boasts over 15 years of experience in the world of burlesque, the conservatory offers a variety of opportunities for individuals interested in this captivating art form.
Nightshade Conservatory offers monthly group workshops, 1:1 sessions, private parties, and hosts both local and traveling guest instructors. Nightshade Conservatory is proudly sponsored by Portland Dance Studio, which offers a professional and welcoming environment. The classes and workshops mostly take place in one of their studios located in the Oak Street Building.
Whether you're looking to step on the stage for the first time, an experienced performer looking to up their game, or a group seeking a fun and unconventional event, Nightshade Conservatory aims to provide a welcoming and educational space for all interested in the art of burlesque.
Email [email protected] to inquire or sign up for posted workshops
Nightshade Conservatory offers monthly group workshops, 1:1 sessions, private parties, and hosts both local and traveling guest instructors. Nightshade Conservatory is proudly sponsored by Portland Dance Studio, which offers a professional and welcoming environment. The classes and workshops mostly take place in one of their studios located in the Oak Street Building.
Whether you're looking to step on the stage for the first time, an experienced performer looking to up their game, or a group seeking a fun and unconventional event, Nightshade Conservatory aims to provide a welcoming and educational space for all interested in the art of burlesque.
Email [email protected] to inquire or sign up for posted workshops
|
"As someone who learned from this incredible artist and educator how to move my broken body in a way that finally reconnected me to my true essence, I cannot endorse Nina Nightshade enough! ...her teaching style is patient and thorough, thoughtful and fun... She changed my relationship with myself in a necessary, powerful way and helped release my inner power through graceful movement, humor and bawdy sensuality."
|
Monthly Workshops
All courses are designed for newer performers, but novice and well-seasoned performers are also welcome. While courses are taught with a burlesque focus, many other types of performers, such as drag and circus art performers, are welcome to join and will benefit from most topics.
In Studio
Currently every 3rd Tuesday of the month - 7:15pm-8:45pm unless otherwise noted
Online
Currently the Wednesday following in-studio - 6:00pm-7:30pm PST unless otherwise noted
Upcoming Courses:
|
Calling All Fans
|
2026 Course Lineup
More details coming soon!
- January
- Leg Show Basics - Classic leg show moves including stocking peels
- February
- Fake It Til You Make It - Improv movement and how to survive when things go wrong
- March
- Tassels & Assels - Making those tassels twirl
- April
- The Interactive Performer - Connecting with the audience on their level including floor-show style performance, audience participation, and engaging with mutual consent
- May
- Hip Me With Your Best Shot - Dynamic hip movement for burlesque
- June
- Siren’s Gaze - The art of the smolder (even when you’re not feeling it)
- July
- One Robe Peel - How to tease out an entire performance with just one peeled piece
- August
- From Ideation to Creation - Processes and tips for building an engaging burlesque act
- September
- Calling All Fans - Basic fan technique using feather fans, hand fans, & fan veils
- October
- Make Them Shiver with Antici… Creating dynamic performance with stillness & slow movement
- November
- Poise & Stage Presence - How to make a lasting impression on your audience
- December
- Do You Need That Prop? - An interactive workshop to become less reliant on props to convey intention and context in your acts
To sign up for course and/or purchase a punch card or gift certificate email [email protected]
Monthly Course Rates
Gift Certificates available!
Scholarship Opportunity: Nightshade Conservatory is offering one scholarship spot per course. Scholarships are open to anyone to whom the cost of a course would be a burden and would make this opportunity otherwise unattainable. Preference will be given to BIPOC performers. Email a short (2-5 sentence) summary about why you or someone else should be granted a scholarship. We limit 2 scholarships per year per person. Guest instructor courses not eligible.
Monthly Course Rates
- In-Studio Regular Course: $30
- Online Regular Course: Sliding scale, pay what you are able $15-30
- NEW! 5 Class "Punch Card": $125
- Punch cards expire 1 year from purchase
Gift Certificates available!
Scholarship Opportunity: Nightshade Conservatory is offering one scholarship spot per course. Scholarships are open to anyone to whom the cost of a course would be a burden and would make this opportunity otherwise unattainable. Preference will be given to BIPOC performers. Email a short (2-5 sentence) summary about why you or someone else should be granted a scholarship. We limit 2 scholarships per year per person. Guest instructor courses not eligible.
Guest Instructors
The conservatory is always excited to host guest instructors both locally and traveling.
Upcoming Guest Instructors:
Watch for more guest instructors!
Interested in being a guest instructor? Whether local or traveling through PDX, lets talk! Email [email protected] to discuss options.
Previous Guest Instructors:
Previous Guest Instructors:
- Kate Cloud
- Rebecca Mm Davis
- Angelique DeVil
- Judith Stein
- Talloolah Love
- Megan Skye Hale
- Kisa Von Teasa
- Anita Rage
- Sara James
- Nick Lacy
- Luz de la Concha
Private Instruction
Nightshade Conservatory offers private lessons with The Infamous Nina Nightshade
Private Movement Lesson and/or Act Development
$50 per hour
This is your time and Nina will tailor it to you. Polish up an existing act, hone your skills, or get some basic movement lessons.
Online 1:1 Mentorship/Act Development
$35 per session
40-minute 1:1 Zoom session. This is your time and Nina will tailor it to you. Polish up an existing act, talk about how to level up, or get movement training.
Costume Consultation
$35 1-hour consultation, $60 2-hour consultation with basic lesson
Let Nina help you level up, problem-solve, or ideate your costume! One hour sessions either at your place or Nina's. We will talk through costume challenges and ideate on how to improve your costumes. We can consult on one costume in depth or try to get through as many as we can fit in our time together.
2-hour consultations include the addition of basic lessons on costuming including sewing, crafting, and building. Let's spend your 2nd hour working on those ideas and get started on your costume together!
$50 per hour
This is your time and Nina will tailor it to you. Polish up an existing act, hone your skills, or get some basic movement lessons.
Online 1:1 Mentorship/Act Development
$35 per session
40-minute 1:1 Zoom session. This is your time and Nina will tailor it to you. Polish up an existing act, talk about how to level up, or get movement training.
Costume Consultation
$35 1-hour consultation, $60 2-hour consultation with basic lesson
Let Nina help you level up, problem-solve, or ideate your costume! One hour sessions either at your place or Nina's. We will talk through costume challenges and ideate on how to improve your costumes. We can consult on one costume in depth or try to get through as many as we can fit in our time together.
2-hour consultations include the addition of basic lessons on costuming including sewing, crafting, and building. Let's spend your 2nd hour working on those ideas and get started on your costume together!
Private Parties
Need a fun activity for your party? Nightshade Conservatory will gladly curate an evening your guests won't forget.
Parties include:
Party themes:
Nightshade Conservatory can come to you or we can find a venue that fits your needs.
Email [email protected] to inquire about pricing and options
- 90 minute instruction led by The Infamous Nina Nightshade
- All required props and materials
Party themes:
- Burlesque Basics: struts, bumps, grinds, and peels - Our most popular option!
- Pastie making and tassel twirling class
- Fun with fabric props (fan veils, isis wings, veils)
- Glove and/or Stocking Peels
- Have a different idea? Let's talk!
Nightshade Conservatory can come to you or we can find a venue that fits your needs.
Email [email protected] to inquire about pricing and options
Previous Conservatory Courses
Here's a list of previous courses taught by Nina at Nightshade Conservatory. These can be adapted into 1:1 lessons, private parties, or requested to return to our monthly conservatory schedule:
- Poise & Stage Presence: How to make a lasting impression on your audience
- How to Get the Gig... and How to Keep It: Marketing, professionalism, & etiquette for new performers
- Stumped on the Floor: Dance movement & musicality for non-dancers
- Show of Hands: Expressive hand movements and arms with bonus glove basics
- Do You Need That Prop?: An interactive workshop to become less reliant on props to convey intention and context in your acts
- Make Them Shiver With Antici.... Creating dynamic performance with stillness & slow movement
- Calling All Fans: Basic fan technique using feather fans, hand fans, & fan veils
- Peeling with Panache: Skillfully removing clothing on stage including basic costuming tips
- Hip Me With Your Best Shot: dynamic hip movement for burlesque
- The Interactive Performer: Connecting with the audience on their level including floor-show style performance, audience participation, and engaging with mutual consent
- Fake It 'Til You Make It: improv movement and how to survive when things go wrong
- Walk This Way: the art of the strut and walking with intention
- Get On The Floor: basic floorwork techniques
- From Ideation to Creation - Processes and tips for building an engaging burlesque act
- Siren’s Gaze - The art of the smolder (even when you’re not feeling it)
- Leg Show Basics - Classic leg show moves including stocking peels
- Shimmy Shakedown - Making your fringe fly
- Hardworking Costumes - Designing & modifying costume pieces to be durable, adjustable, & versatile
Refund Policy: All class fees, punch cards, and gift certificates are non-refundable. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis for extenuating circumstances such as serious illness or emergencies and are at the discretion of Nightshade Conservatory.
