CHICAGO -- Ann Weinert has been a performer since she was 15. But the Chicagoan became enamored with the art of American burlesque as an adult in 2007, and her perception of performing in front of audiences changed immediately. "I was doing theater, and I was kind of over it," Weinert said.
"I was actually pretty burnt out, mostly by the male-dominated negative energy. I wanted to feel like I had complete control over my creative expression. When I found burlesque, it was life changing for me.
" Weinert became one of the pioneers in the revival of burlesque, which started in the 1990s, and has continued to grow in the 21st century. Along with other veteran burlesque artists in Chicago, like Angela Eve, Weinert has spread the art form throughout the country and internationally, performing as the character " Red Hot Annie ." Now Weinert stages regular burlesque shows, under the moniker "Vaudezilla.
" And in addition to those shows, she offers weekly classes out of a studio in Chicago's Ukrainian Village neighborhood, where she teaches the art of burlesque to students who want to learn the practice for fitness, for possible stage work and for more empowering purposes. "I'm working with people to really harness their deep confidence," said Weinert, who began offering the classes in 2010. "What I really want is for everyone who comes through my classes to feel that they have a deep self-love, a deep ability to really accept themselves.
" She calls the classes "Burlesque Parties," but.
