Nightshade Conservatory
Burlesque Education
Nightshade Conservatory offers burlesque education for all. From group workshops to 1:1 sessions to private parties, Headmistress Nina is excited to share the knowledge that over 15 years in burlesque has taught her. Proudly sponsored by Portland Dance Studio, most workshops and lessons take place in one of their studios in the Oak Street Building (232 SE Oak Street, PDX)
Email nightshadeconservatory@gmail.com to inquire or sign up for posted workshops
Email nightshadeconservatory@gmail.com to inquire or sign up for posted workshops
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"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."
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Monthly Workshops
Join The Infamous Nina Nightshade every 2nd Monday of the month at 7:30 PM for a 90 minute workshop.
All workshops are designed for newer performers, but novice and well-seasoned performers are also welcome.
Fall Term Workshops:
Individual workshop: $30; Full term: $80
Scholarship Opportunity: Nightshade Conservatory will be offering one scholarship spot per course. Scholarships are open to anyone to whom the cost of a workshop would be a burden and would make this opportunity otherwise unattainable. Preference will be given to BIPOC performers. Email a short (1-2 paragraph) summary about why you or someone else should be granted a scholarship. We limit 2 scholarships per year per person.
October 9 - 7:30-9:00pm
Make Them Shiver with Antici...: Creating dynamic performance with stillness & slow movement
Dynamic performances aren’t only about dynamic movement, they are also about dynamic stillness. In this interactive workshop, The Infamous Nina Nightshade will show you how moments of stillness and slow movements can add drama and depth to any act, no matter how upbeat the energy is. During this course we will explore the concepts of level changes, audience perception, drawing focus, and how to best utilize slow movements and moments of stillness in your performances. This 90-minute course will be a mixture of lecture and movement. Come dressed to move. Bring water, note taking supplies, and your favorite performance/practice shoes. Course will be capped at 12 participants.
November 13 - 5:30-7:00pm (Note time change!)
Calling All Fans: Basic fan technique using feather fans, hand fans, & fan veils
Most people who think of burlesque think of its most iconic dance prop, the fan. Fans can add excitement and tease to any performance. In this interactive workshop The Infamous Nina Nightshade will show basic techniques for using a variety of fans including feather fans, hand fans, and fan veils. This 90-minute course will be a mixture of lecture and movement. Come dressed to move. Bring water & note taking supplies. Various fans will be provided for the class to share. You may also bring your favorite pair of practice shoes and your own fans. Course will be capped at 12 participants.
December 11 - 7:30-9:00pm
Peeling with Panache: Skillfully removing clothing on stage including basic costuming tips
One of the most basic skills a burlesquer needs to know is the art of peeling (clothing removal). In this interactive workshop The Infamous Nina Nightshade will share techniques and costuming tips to help you peel with panache! This course will go over basic costume removal such as skirts, corsets, dresses and trousers. You will also learn some of the “tricks of the trade” to create costuming that offers interesting reveals and smooth removal. This 90-minute course will be a mixture of lecture and movement. Come dressed in tight fitting clothing (leotard preferred, but not required). Bring water, note taking supplies, and a few costume pieces or articles of clothing to practice peeling. Course will be capped at 12 participants.
Individual workshop: $30; Full term: $80
Scholarship Opportunity: Nightshade Conservatory will be offering one scholarship spot per course. Scholarships are open to anyone to whom the cost of a workshop would be a burden and would make this opportunity otherwise unattainable. Preference will be given to BIPOC performers. Email a short (1-2 paragraph) summary about why you or someone else should be granted a scholarship. We limit 2 scholarships per year per person.
October 9 - 7:30-9:00pm
Make Them Shiver with Antici...: Creating dynamic performance with stillness & slow movement
Dynamic performances aren’t only about dynamic movement, they are also about dynamic stillness. In this interactive workshop, The Infamous Nina Nightshade will show you how moments of stillness and slow movements can add drama and depth to any act, no matter how upbeat the energy is. During this course we will explore the concepts of level changes, audience perception, drawing focus, and how to best utilize slow movements and moments of stillness in your performances. This 90-minute course will be a mixture of lecture and movement. Come dressed to move. Bring water, note taking supplies, and your favorite performance/practice shoes. Course will be capped at 12 participants.
November 13 - 5:30-7:00pm (Note time change!)
Calling All Fans: Basic fan technique using feather fans, hand fans, & fan veils
Most people who think of burlesque think of its most iconic dance prop, the fan. Fans can add excitement and tease to any performance. In this interactive workshop The Infamous Nina Nightshade will show basic techniques for using a variety of fans including feather fans, hand fans, and fan veils. This 90-minute course will be a mixture of lecture and movement. Come dressed to move. Bring water & note taking supplies. Various fans will be provided for the class to share. You may also bring your favorite pair of practice shoes and your own fans. Course will be capped at 12 participants.
December 11 - 7:30-9:00pm
Peeling with Panache: Skillfully removing clothing on stage including basic costuming tips
One of the most basic skills a burlesquer needs to know is the art of peeling (clothing removal). In this interactive workshop The Infamous Nina Nightshade will share techniques and costuming tips to help you peel with panache! This course will go over basic costume removal such as skirts, corsets, dresses and trousers. You will also learn some of the “tricks of the trade” to create costuming that offers interesting reveals and smooth removal. This 90-minute course will be a mixture of lecture and movement. Come dressed in tight fitting clothing (leotard preferred, but not required). Bring water, note taking supplies, and a few costume pieces or articles of clothing to practice peeling. Course will be capped at 12 participants.
Guest Instructors
The conservatory is always excited to host guest instructors both locally and traveling.
Watch here for announcements of guest instructors!
Interested in being a guest instructor? Whether local or just traveling through, let talk! Email nightshadeconservatory@gmail.com to discuss options.
Interested in being a guest instructor? Whether local or just traveling through, let talk! Email nightshadeconservatory@gmail.com to discuss options.
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.
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.
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 nightshadeconservatory@gmail.com to inquire about pricing and options
- 1-hour or 90 minute instruction led by The Infamous Nina Nightshade
- All required props and materials
Party themes:
- Pastie making and tassel twirling class
- Basic burlesque bump & grind
- 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 nightshadeconservatory@gmail.com to inquire about pricing and options
Previous Conservatory Courses
Here's a list of previous courses taught 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