As the aftershock of the COVID pandemic continues to affect the entertainment industry, burlesque producers across the world are trying – and frequently struggling – to sell viable numbers of tickets to audiences who are now more comfortable staying at home, with greatly altered consumer habits. Marketing and promotion often feels like a losing battle, too, with social media platforms applying increasingly inconsistent restrictions and double standards to carefully constructed ads and posts. But down in New Orleans, USA, there’s a striptease extravaganza bucking all the trends and proving it can be done. Welcome to the sophisticated, seductive world of Teaser Fest, in a mesmerising city like no other.
The woman behind the wonder is Elle Dorado, who fell in love with burlesque over a decade ago at a show in New Orleans and quickly made a name for herself with her ice-skating striptease acts. Years of training in Russian facilities as a competitive figure skater gave Elle the thick skin and focus to quickly find her footing and win a prestigious title in 2014. In time she found her talents extended to producing burlesque shows as well.
“We have an amazing legacy of burlesque production in New Orleans,” says Elle. “It was formative for so many performers we know and love who launched their careers and made friends for life here. But by 2020 we’d all drifted a little and I wanted to launch something that united people and learned from the past, taking the good things forward. So I drew on my food and wine background to create an elevated experience for all involved. I just had to hold my nose, jump in deep and see what happened!”

After the first edition in 2020, the pandemic put the world on pause, but Elle was determined to get back to business, and Teaser Fest returned in 2023. Next week, the fourth edition runs from January 16-19.
So how does Elle do it, and keep doing it so well?
“It requires – easier said than done – creating a holistic experience, and venues which truly understand the time, money and investment of the performers, too. Vetting venues carefully is key, and being creative about how they can look. There can be a huge draw in a restaurant setting versus theatre venues now – people feel like they’re getting multiple experiences and enjoyments in one night out.”
“Laying out that money at the jump is daunting, but it pays off. Festivals are house-downpayment-expensive, and you have to learn lessons and adapt fast when something isn’t working.”
The first year, Elle largely relied on Eventbrite, community support, and cutting deals with artist-focused small venues, with little advertising. When it returned in 2023 the festival doubled in size, along with its successes and failures. Building a proprietary ticketing platform lowered fees for the festival and ticket buyers alike, and investing in digital billboards, which are less expensive than vinyl boards, was an unconventional gamechanger.
“Laying out that money at the jump is daunting, but it pays off. Festivals are house-downpayment-expensive, and you have to learn lessons and adapt fast when something isn’t working.”
Elle’s food and beverage connections from her day job in the alcohol industry have also generated vital sponsors for Teaser Fest.
“They want to support the grand vision, but they do expect value in return. I know what these companies are expecting, and my ass is on the line to deliver it.”



With a whopping 160 performances over the long weekend, all performers are paid, with headliners – who are all given equal billing – receiving a travel stipend in addition to their fee.
“My constant goal is to find chic venues and bigger stages, so I can charge customers more which means higher performer wages.”
Elle talks me through a dazzling array of diverse showcases on offer. Rhinestone Regalia is described as “a neo-classic gumbo of different themes and aesthetics,” and a ‘Spooky’ showcase as “What we do meets Anne Rice, seriously unserious.” VarieTEASE offers circus and other specialties, from ice skating and whip-cracking to aerial chandeliers and bondage. Tropanola is a new addition to accommodate the high number of tropical act submissions, and there’s a locals-only showcase on Sunday featuring New Orleans talent. The weekend wraps up with a Champagne Gala to finish: “All-star, all genres, irreverent!”
The Fetish showcase – for VIP pass holders and performers only – sounds particularly intriguing. If you’ve ever visited The Box you can use your imagination, Elle says, promising an X-rated and utterly exhilarating spectacle. “The feedback, even from newcomers, is that it’s the best burlesque show they’ve ever seen.”
Classic burlesque fans are well catered for, too, particularly at Sensualite – a night with a sultry R&B singer accompanying striptease stars, such as Lou Lou la Duchesse de Rière, in all the chiffon, feathers, rhinestones and latex you can handle.


Let’s not disregard the retail and relaxation, because Elle certainly hasn’t. The vendor ‘Merkintile’ will measure you up for a corset, give you gorgeous garbs to try on, and you can pick up a signed photo of your favourite stars. Then you can recover at the happy hour sessions and after parties.
“As a producer and a performer, I ask myself what my ideal festival looks like with both hats on. I want it to be a great vacation and really fun as well as a performance opportunity.”
To safeguard that experience, Elle has some strict disclaimers that everyone involved must abide by, upholding a positive experience for all and zero tolerance on intimidating or catty behaviour. “At the end of the day the stakes are not that high – professional conduct is a basic expectation.”
“As a producer and a performer, I ask myself what my ideal festival looks like with both hats on. I want it to be a great vacation and really fun as well as a performance opportunity.”
So what else does Elle look for when she signs up talent for Teaser Fest?
“It comes down to one consideration: Is the act entertaining? Is it an experience, larger than life in some way, exceptional – and not just a crystal-encrusted costume? Is it innovative, dynamic, funny, or thought provoking? That’s how I hire.”
Some headliner invites are based on close, reciprocal friendships, and Elle has an abundance of local talent to choose from before she casts her net wider. But in a festival designed to be aspirational, Elle wants to feel excited and inspired by her casts, too.
“Yes, relationships matter, but I cannot stress enough the value of people reaching out to me – don’t get in your own head about doing that. I want a unique, fresh and interesting weekend every single year.”




Elle also wants unsuccessful applicants to know that it’s in no way a mandate on their ability or potential.
“As big as the festival has become, I can’t possibly hire everyone I’d like to, so make yourself a standout – that doesn’t mean backflips or an expensive costume, but you have to provide something distinctive. Even changing your music can make a difference, especially if it’s a frequently used classic. I was rejected from the Burlesque Hall of Fame competition three times applying with Pink Pussycat. When I learned that lesson and made that one change, I was accepted for three consecutive years.”
Teaser Fest has its own contest – Queen of the Striptease – a traditional homage to New Orleans festivals of two standards performed with a live jazz band, with serious perks and rewards up for grabs, including headline spots at other high profile events.
“The contest is ‘gown and glove’, but that can look like many things – it’s not limited to the showgirl aesthetic,” Elle insists. “Non-binary, cis het or queer performers, alternative, drag and comedic styles – all and any are invited to compete. Again – is it entertaining? That’s what matters. Live jazz does dictate somewhat, but that’s the DNA of New Orleans.”


We discuss the place of competitions in burlesque today, and the excitement, aspiration, discomfort and resentment they can inspire.
“There are many different paths to success,” Elle asserts. “Competition can be a fast track to being thought and spoken of, and there are big prizes and opportunities for our winners, but it’s impossible to quantify ‘best’ in burlesque, so have fun above all. It’s a chance to perform with peers of such calibre – that’s the win. If you don’t place, maybe someone else just had the best show of their life that night. Nothing is lost, and dressing rooms open doors, too.
“I’ve been fortunate to do a lot on my bucket list, so my goal now is to tick other performers’ bucket lists with good venues, lights, sound, networking, shows, classes, vacations, fun, costumes – all that I can offer them, on and offstage.”
“Telling others they shouldn’t go for an opportunity, or resenting their success, is kind of shitty,” Elle continues. “You can tell yourself ‘I didn’t get in because…’ or ‘I’m not the right type for X’, but often you’re limiting yourself, the opportunity isn’t. If you didn’t apply or reach out, that’s self imposed limitations. Take a chance – you never know.”
Elle runs Teaser Fest with a small team working overtime to deliver: an assistant producer, stage manager and stage kittens. She has no hierarchy front or back of house, where everyone must be shown equal respect as an integral part of the process.

“You produce the best show with egos completely out of it. If you want to be someone or where they are, be introspective. How did they get there, am I doing those things, and am I willing to? If the answer is no, you don’t want it and you can take the pressure off yourself. People with monikers and dream gigs have done the work, some with a leg-up along the way, but some not. If you’re always professional, affable, and deliver every time, you’ll have a much better experience and go a lot further. It’s also crucial to adapt to our ever-changing environment and be proactive, and always remember we’re not the main character in other people’s movies – grace is an underrated emotional skill.”
Elle’s pragmatic passion is as fervent as it was two hours ago when we sat down to talk about Teaser. “I’ve been fortunate to do a lot on my bucket list, so my goal now is to tick other performers’ bucket lists with good venues, lights, sound, networking, shows, classes, vacations, fun, costumes – all that I can offer them, on and offstage.
“New Orleans is a magical city worth visiting any time – the birthplace of jazz, iconic cocktails, and there was burlesque on Bourbon Street in its purest form into the eighties. But at Teaser Fest I truly believe you’re getting the best experience you could have here, with a variety of immersive venues and encounters that will make you want to come back every year.”
Visit teaserfest.com for more information, and follow all the fun on Instagram @teaserfest.