I recently saw a Vaudezilla show with a bunch of my girlfriends for a bachelorette party. It was the most fun I've had at a live performance show! The cast was so entertaining and talented - they made this show the highlight of our night. If you're in the mood for something sexy, risqué, comical, and tons of fun, look no further than Vaudezilla! read more

I hired Trixie Sparks this weekend for a surprise/private party and she was AMAZING! I was nervous at first because I have never done anything like this before (I have never even heard of such thing until I turned to google for assistance). She showed up on time and was professional and beyond friendly. She did two different acts and they were cute, funny and extremely entertaining. We had a 1920's themed party and she was dressed to the tee. Throughout the process I was emailing with Red Hot Annie and she was extremely helpful as well, answering a million of my questions. Overall I was 100% pleased and would definitely hire them again. read more

I took an 8 WK class with Titty Perkins and just performed with my classmates at the student showcase. I was amazed at how much I had learned and how much confidence in myself that I had gained. The support of the not only the instructors but the students is absolutely wonderful. The atmosphere is always positive! I would recommend this studio to all my friends. I'm so proud to have gotten thru the classes, braved a sexy costume and then shimmy my stuff in front of an audience. It's all thanks to the amazing people at Vaudezilla. read more

Vaudezilla - Dance Studios Near Me

Vaudezilla is full of funny, smart, and drop dead gorgeous performers varying in shape and size! The stories and the art the performers create an inclusive and welcoming experience for everyone. Mad shout out to Red Hot Annie for putting on such incredible shows again and again. read more

This was an excellent time! I highly recommend taking a lesson and getting hooked on burlesque! Red Hot Annie was amazingly friendly and confident which made us feel comfy and more at ease to go with the flow. I also had the pleasure of catching Annie's show at Stage 773. Go check that out too! read more

I took the Burlesque 1/2 class with Red Hot Annie. I'm not sure what exactly I was expecting but the class was incredibly body positive and taught you that it's not only ok to take up space but that you can "own" that space. I had so much fun, met amazing people, and rediscovered my love of performing! This was the most comfortable dance class I've ever taken! read more

I just took my first burlesque class with Red Hot Annie and did two performances at Stage 773 with my fellow students. Coming to Vaudezilla is one of the best decisions I've made for myself in a while. I learned so much about the art of dance and performance (I have zero dance/performance background) and loved the body-positive, empowering atmosphere in class and during the live performance. I'm not a born dancer, that's for sure, but I loved loved loved my experience at Vaudezilla and want to get better! I also made a few friends and met some interesting people through the class and I can't wait to take another! If you are thinking about taking a class, just take the plunge and don't look back! read more

Stopped by the studio Saturday for the craft fair. It was fun socializing with wonderful people & purhcasing some great vintage & modern burlesque & pinup bits & bobbles! If you haven't been to a 773 Studio show yet you should get out for one of the October Creep Show Peep Shows! They offer a variety of very talented performers! read more

Planned this last minute as part of my sister's bachelorette night and I'm so glad I did! We were able to reserve a private class for late in the night and we arrived late (You know how these nights go!) but Tilda (our instructor) was still warm and smiling when she greeted us. She was SUPER patient as we kept drinking throughout and being extremely tipsy/goofy. The routine was sexy and tasteful and she even filmed us and took a ton of pix for us!! And then we found a random karaoke bar down the street -- Kept the night going :) read more

I started taking classes at Vaudezilla almost a year ago. I signed up mostly because I wanted to meet new people; I had just moved to Chicago and somebody at work had suggested it to me. From the first class, I immediately felt strong, sexy and empowered. I went to school for Theatre but I had never danced a day in my life. 12 months later I have taken at least 2 classes every semester and have decided to make burlesque a permanent part of my life. Vaudezilla is the most welcoming, safe and friendly place to learn about yourself, and learn to love your body more. The teachers are so attentive and truly care about each and every one of their students. I have never left a class feeling nothing but beautiful amazing. This is the most inclusive and supportive team of people I have ever worked with. I love Red Hot Annie and her amazing Vaudezilla team! read more

This company is awesome!!! We had a private class for a bachelorette party and Raven did an amazing job! She created a fun, playful and comfortable atmosphere while being very professional. We had so much fun!!! I would highly suggest this company to anyone who wants to do something different and playful. We really enjoyed it! Definitely a must do! read more

I just finished my second round of classes at Vaudezilla and I honestly cannot recommend this place enough. Every person I've met through this process is nothing but uplifting and encouraging. I'm hooked, and have already registered for the next session. I can't wait to spend another 8 weeks with another great group of new friends learning to love what we got. read more

Just completed my first round of classes at Vaudezilla, and to be honest I don't see myself quitting burlesque any time soon. I Signed up originally because I needed something fun to do by myself and meet some cool people, and through the 8 weeks it fulfilled those needs completely. I always look forward to every class I have, and after each class my bf gets to listen to me rave about how much fun I had. Being new to burlesque, there's no requirement for you to do more than you're comfortable with. I'm not a dancer, but learning the simple steps and working on them each week leaves you feeling really accomplished and sexy. Both teachers I worked with (Annie and Ms. Mister) were patient and fun, and I'm always impressed with what they come up with. Everybody is on the same page here, size/shape/gender/ethnicity/orientations etc. Even if you've never had experience in dance or any sort of stage performance, this is SUCH a great place to start. read more

The classes are a great for a bachelorette Party! Tilda, our instructor, was awesome and encouraging. Five of us (who don't dance) were able to learn a routine together in 90 minutes. We laughed and laughed and had a blast. read more

Vaudezilla is the most wonderful place to learn to free yourself from body judging and shaming. Here you can learn to move and feel sexy and fabulous no matter your age, shape or size in a fun and supportive environment. The instructors help you explore getting comfortable with your sensual side while teaching you how to dance and play with the audience. This has truly been a life changing experience and the friends made and fun had are priceless! Do yourself a favor and take some burlesque lessons! Red Hot Annie and her team are truly amazing! read more

I started a Bachelorette party with Red Hot Annie's Burlesque class, and it was tons of fun. Annie is super encouraging and makes you feel confident no matter your skill level. We had a few tom boys in the group who were a little hesitant but everyone left feeling energized and damn hot! The space is fun (love the gold ceiling) and plentiful. I would definitely recommend the class to anyone looking for a fun and different girls night out or simply looking for a different type of workout that will leave you feeling sexy. read more

I started off my bachelorette festivities with a burlesque dancing lesson at Vaudezilla with my bridesmaids and friends last week. It was a private lesson. They let us bring mimosas, and helped us take pics & video once we learned our routine. Our instructor was SO funny. (I feel bad, I forgot her name.) I cannot imagine having started off my bachelorette party any other way! It was a BLAST :) The studio is cozy and cute, complete with a sign on the wall that fittingly says "SHAKE YOUR CANS!" We all definitely want to go back! read more

This may not be the appropriate place to write this review, but me and the bf just got back from seeing "Rolling out of here naked: A Big Lebowski Burlesque" at the Green Theatre and we were blown away! Incredible performances all round; everybody was so high energy, sexy, great atmosphere. This was the first burlesque show either of us had attended and we can't wait to check out more Vaudezilla! read more

Took Annie's Basic Burlesque class (the one in Chicago). Wonderful tips on burlesque moves that can double as a home workout! Small class so we all felt like we were given ample instruction and attention. As the instructor Annie doesn't expect the impossible from you, only what you're capable of. Personally I had no previous dancing experience but really felt as though I was learning "the basics." read more

I've taken many classes here over the past 1-2 years, and I absolutely loved every single one! The space is comfortable (read: there's good air conditioning) and all of the instructors work hard not only to teach, but also to foster an environment of non-judgement, self-expression, and body positivity. The instructor I've taken most of my classes with is Po' Chop, and her enthusiasm, creativity, joy, and fierceness have kept me coming back again and again. If you're interested in burlesque, but want to break out of the 'classic burlesque' box, Po' Chop is the queen and you should seek her guidance and wisdom! read more

I have taken Annie's 1/2 class here twice and it was such a great experience! This place is fantastic! Not only is Annie a great teacher, but I have witnessed the routines from all the other classes and you can really tell that the teachers from the other classes are just as great! The studio is beautiful and you will feel SO comfortable there. Promise me, no experience is needed! I would also recommend catching a show on the weekend, as the routines will blow your mind! read more

I heard about vaudezilla from lifebooker.com. I just finished burlesque basic 1 with anita lilmore. She was wonderful!!! She's out going, funny, and a great motivator!!! It's also a great location. I take the blue line and get off on belmont. Then i only walked about 6min. I had a blast! I felt so confident after the classes was over I even performed in the student showcase!! I had such a great experience at vaudezilla, I signed up for another class!! read more

I took Dahlia Fatale's Basic Burlesque I class, and loved every minute of it. She was a positive and patient instructor, and I had a great time. I had no intention of ever performing in public, I just wanted some "me" time, but I ended up getting up on stage with the group and had a blast. Thanks Dahlia, and Vaudzilla!! read more

vaudezilla is exactly what a burlesque studio oughta be. primarily by women, for women, and ooh what women they are! my main experience here is w/ the dance classes, and i'm very impressed with the teaching methods/pedagogy. it's very low-key, casual, and the focus is on having fun and enjoying yourself and the dance. which is great, because the women in my class came from all across the spectrum, and we have all different talent levels, and the lovely Annie encourages us all. that said, it's not just about patting us on the back either. the choreography is cheeky, amusing, and challenging. as we've progressed in the class, our teacher has gone from showing us the basics to fine-tuning the specifics. we're all growing as dancers and potential performers, and we're all having fun. it's also neat observing what each of us brings to the piece. i have to say, taking these classes was a great idea, although i couldn't have imagined just how much i'd enjoy it! our performance is in march, and we're all totally psyched :) thanks, vaudezilla! looooove! read more

The first burlesque show I experienced was a Vaudezilla show. I was blown away by the choreography, costuming and and overall entertainment value I got at the FREE show. I took a class and fell madly in love with both the genre and the people I met and learned from. My class had students with varying levels of experience, but everyone from the first timer to the experienced performer had a great time! It's hard not to feel sexy when you grind shimmy and strut across the floor! I recommend catching a show! Once you see for yourself, you'll definitely want to take a class and sparkle with the best of them! read more

I sing their praises everywhere else, figured I'd share on Yelp too! :) I took a class last year because I had a Groupon and I've been hooked ever since! Classes are fun, helpful, and free of judgement. Don't be nervous about it if you've been debating. You also have the option to perform your routine at the end of the 8 weeks, but that is totally optional! If you just want to take class to get moving, have fun and feel a little naughty, you can! If you take several classes, I recommend switching teachers so you can get a different style and learn from different viewpoints. I've had classes with 5 of the Vaudezilla ladies and they were all wonderful. OH! And the shows! Go see them! Brought some friends along and they loved it too! :) read more

Admittedly I do not have many Burlesque experiences to compare it to, but Vaudezilla presents a great show. They titillate and motivate the audience. The acts are a really great variety of classic and new, with some comedy and singing thrown in. Each performer brings their own style. I know one of the performers so I have been to 5-7 shows in the past year. They are constantly rotating acts and themes (I believe they do it monthly), bringing in special guest performers so each month you will get something fun and different. The bar in the lobby also has a small but impressive beer selection without inflated pricing. Another thing I don't care too much about but I think people reading this might: They almost always start EXACTLY on time. I have never seen anything like it. Maybe once they opened 10 minutes late due to another show going over time. But seriously, if you are planning a group night out. you can plan a schedule around the show without much worry about it starting or going late. Another thing of interest that you might not care about: Each show has someone make a "sales pitch" for nipple pasties. It has been the same script/bit every time I have gone, and I find it funny every single time. Every single time. read more

Amazing amazing show! Made me want to be a burlesque dancer. Saw the after hours show and I would recommend it to everyone. I don't give many 5 star reviews so this show and it's wonderful performers really deserve it. Great idea for a night out. read more

Love Red Hot Annie! Came with seven girls for a bachelorette party. Annie was so sweet and encouraging. She helped us craft a dance to music of our choice--we did a "chair" dance. Such a strong and positive lady doing great work to empower other ladies! Highly recommend. read more

First burlesque show & won't be my last! I really loved the energy everyone had. I had a blast!

LOVE the employees I have met, this studio is AMAZING!

the classes are cool since we learned how to walk and dance with confidence and sexiness from within, but i didn't like the warm up session since it is hard to warm up on hard wood floors doing lunges with socks on. Otherwise, love the class! read more

We came here for my sisters bachelorette party and it was SUCH a hit!! We all loved it, had a great time, and felt totally comfortable with our "coach". We had time for drinks/pictures before, during and after learning the choreographed dance to "Big Fine Daddy". I do not have anything but good things to say about the place and I would definitely come back for another bachelorette party or even just to take a class or 2! read more

I too had the pleasure to see Red Hot Annie's performance recently and was blown away by her poise and creativity! I also attended Red Hot Annie's Burlesque class. Not only did I have a blast learning classic hot burlesque dance moves, but was thoroughly impressed by her ability to teach and graciousness to share your knowledge of the burlesque world. It was very helpful for me. read more

I have taken 3 classes at Vaudezilla and I am hooked! I don't have much of a dance background and I'm awkward at times but I am so comfortable learning burlesque here! I have taken classes with Red Hot Annie, Po' Chop and Dahlia Fatale - All wonderful instructors and amazing performers. Also, there is so much positivity that goes around between the instructors and the students in my classes; there's never a reason to feel insecure or uncomfortable! My overall experience here at Vaudezilla has been amazing! I cannot wait to take more classes :) read more

I don't know what I don't love about Vaudezilla. If I could give them 5 million stars, I would. I've taken classes with Po'chop and Dahlia Fatale, and while they have vastly different styles, they both encourage body positivity, creativity, and self-expression. Classes are usually small at the 3/4 level (like 4-6 students), but that for me made it easier to feel comfortable getting down to pasties. Burlesque is perfect for people of any gender, any orientation, any size, shape, or color. I've gained a ton of confidence and self-respect through burlesque, and I intend to continue taking classes at Vaudezilla as long as I live in Chicago. read more

Vaudezilla is absolutely incredible, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. My best friend is getting married soon, and for her bachelorette we wanted to do something special, positive, and fun. I thought a burlesque lesson would fit the bill, and it absolutely did. I reached out to three different burlesque groups in Chicago, all of which do one-off lessons for bachelorette parties. Vaudezilla was the most flexible (they could do a class on a holiday weekend!) and by far the least expensive. And we got more than our money's worth! Our teacher, Raven, met us at the hotel we'd booked for the night, set up her music, and got us moving right away! She taught us the first half of a routine she was teaching one of her burlesque classes, which was so much fun. Raven was a kind, funny, bubbly teacher and immediately put everyone at our ease. She was very positive and upbeat, and everyone there LOVED the lesson. In fact, a few of the girls are going to look into signing up for one of the Vaudezilla classes! All in all, this is a great class for a bachelorette party or even a girls' night out. It's well worth the cost, and a great time for all. 5 stars! read more

The show was mediocre. Not very funny and sexy. The performance are not exactly what we expected - let's just put it that way.

I started out as a student at Vaudezilla about a year and a half ago and really, really loved it. It's a wonderful community and I have found burlesque to be a fun, exciting, and liberating art form. I have lost some enthusiasm, though, as the prices of classes, workshops, and shows have increased steadily. Current rates for classes are significantly more the rates of other big name burlesque companies in Chicago. The deals and discount codes aren't as good as they once were and they don't offer as many classes as they used to. What was once a fun treat for myself is now an expense I can't justify. Also, while this has not been my personal experience (all of my teachers have been fabulous), a number of the ensemble members who teach classes are mediocre performers, and I have avoided their classes for that reason. Another thing I just can't get behind is that their student shows (which are hit-or-miss) cost the same as their professional shows despite a vast difference in entertainment quality. All in all, Vaudezilla started out awesome and special but has fallen victim to capitalism, and I don't feel like I can support a business that will nickel and dime even its most loyal patrons. read more

1 1/2 half years in now. They have rebuilt me. Stronger, faster, better.