Nightshade Conservatory

Nightshade Conservatory Burlesque Education

Nightshade Conservatory is a burlesque education and entertainment hub based in beautiful Portland, Oregon, with options to learn both in person and online. Led by Headmistress The Infamous Nina Nightshade, who has almost 20 years of experience in the world of burlesque, the conservatory offers a variety of ways to explore this captivating art form, no matter where you’re joining from.

Nightshade Conservatory hosts monthly group workshops, 1:1 sessions, private parties, and classes with both local and traveling guest instructors. Monthly classes are held in the heart of Portland, Oregon. Want to learn online? Let us know, we offer 1:1 and group lessons online for those who don't live within the Portland metro area.

Whether you’re brand new to the stage, a seasoned performer looking to level up, or a group wanting a fun and unconventional experience (in person or virtual), Nightshade Conservatory is all about creating a welcoming, supportive space to learn, play, and grow 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."
Magenta Morningwood

Monthly Workshops

All courses are designed for newer performers, but well-seasoned performers and the burlesque curious 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 every 3rd Tuesday of the month - 7:15pm-8:45pm unless otherwise noted
Online courses scheduled on request

Upcoming Courses:

Calling All Fans: Basic fan technique using feather fans, hand fans, & fan veils

ONLINE ONLY - Wednesday, Sept 16 – 6:00p-7:30p
In-Person course cancelled

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.

Make Them Shiver with Antici....: Creating dynamic performance with stillness & slow movement

In Studio - Tuesday, Oct 20 – 7:15p-8:45p

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.

Poise & Stage Presence: How to make a lasting impression on your audience

In Studio - Tuesday, Nov 10 – 7:15p-8:45p NOTE: NOT 3RD TUESDAY OF THE MONTH

Great performance isn’t just about nailing your choreography or getting the costume just right, it’s also about the attitude you carry on stage and the connection you make with your audience. In this interactive workshop The Infamous Nina Nightshade will show you how to make a lasting impression using poise and stage presence. During the workshop we will explore what “poise” and “stage presence” mean, how to use various movement tools such as posture and moments of stillness to entrance your audience, and how to keep that audience connection when things go wrong. 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.

Do You Need That Prop?: Becoming less reliant on props to convey intention and context in your acts

In Studio - Tuesday, Dec 15 – 7:15p-8:45p

Props can add dimension, intention, and excitement to an act. However, props can distract an audience from the performer, add complexity to a stage set up, and a malfunctioning prop can set a performer up to fail. In this workshop we will explore the fundamentals of using props in acts and challenge the participant to find ways to convey the same message without relying on them. Part lecture and part collaborative conversation, we will explore concepts such as pantomime and suspension of disbelief to create the feeling of the act while simplifying the stage set up. Participants will leave prepared to answer the question, “Do I need this prop?”.

Email to sign up for our monthly offerings!

Watch here for 2027 course lineups!
Full course details will be posted at least 3 months in advance. Reach out to learn more.

To sign up for course and/or purchase a punch card or gift certificate email [email protected]

Monthly Course Rates

In-Studio Regular Course: $30
Online Regular Course: Sliding scale, pay what you are able $15-30
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 course scholarships are at the discretion of that instructor.

Guest Instructors
The conservatory is always excited to host guest instructors both locally and traveling.

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:

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
Natasha Riot
Ginger Snaps

Private Lessons
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!

Private Parties
Need a fun activity for your party? Nightshade Conservatory will gladly curate an evening your guests won't forget.

Parties include:

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.

Cancellation Policy: Courses may be cancelled at the discretion of Nightshade Conservatory if less than 3 participants are signed up within one week from the date of the course. If a course is cancelled, all participants will be informed as soon as possible and full refunds will be issued.