Interviewer: Laurie Kurutz
Interview Date: May 13, 2022
Location: Portland, Oregon; interview conducted over Zoom
Duration: 1:16:40
Sandria Dore descends from several generations of Oregonians and she introduces herself as a Burlesque performer. She defines Burlesque as a vintage or retro theatrical striptease, noting that the audience can have a totally different experience than what the performer intends. Her style of Burlesque is a contemporary take on the mid-century showgirls of the MGM movies. She shares that, for her, performing Burlesque is a kind of grown-up, dress-up playful artistic exploration of the idea of showgirl glamour.
Dore explains that a big part of why she performs is for diversity and representation. The traditional history of Burlesque is the history of white people, with the Black artists erased from the history books. She believes that she is raising the profile of BIPOC people in this art form. She shares how, as a child, she was told that she wasn’t pretty, but celebrates now that she’s a glamorous and sexy performer on stage.
Dore discusses the difficulties the Covid pandemic presented to the club strippers, stating many of her friends lost income and homes during the lockdown of 2020-21, when the strip clubs were shuttered. She goes on to describe how strip club workers are getting Covid from the customers. Dore expresses grateful that her job during the pandemic kept her more distanced from the public, and that the lockdown, for her, was actually a time to pause and refresh.
Dore believes Burlesque is empowering because the artist has total control over their image and their art. She goes on to explain that any time an artist has a voice, they can create social change.
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Dore explains that a big part of why she performs is for diversity and representation. The traditional history of Burlesque is the history of white people, with the Black artists erased from the history books. She believes that she is raising the profile of BIPOC people in this art form. She shares how, as a child, she was told that she wasn’t pretty, but celebrates now that she’s a glamorous and sexy performer on stage.
Dore discusses the difficulties the Covid pandemic presented to the club strippers, stating many of her friends lost income and homes during the lockdown of 2020-21, when the strip clubs were shuttered. She goes on to describe how strip club workers are getting Covid from the customers. Dore expresses grateful that her job during the pandemic kept her more distanced from the public, and that the lockdown, for her, was actually a time to pause and refresh.
Dore believes Burlesque is empowering because the artist has total control over their image and their art. She goes on to explain that any time an artist has a voice, they can create social change.