Getting to Know…Azcadelia
Prepare your fantasies and your nightmares for AZCADELIA - the face that launched a thousand sexual awakenings.
Azcadelia is the sovereign of the spotlight in Melbourne’s drag and burlesque scenes, gripping their audience as tight as their corset with perfect stage presence and chameleonic characters. Known to every stage worth its salt since 2019, Azcadelia brings high campery and high concepts into technicolour - their talents earning them Judges’ Choice at Burlesque Idol Australia 2020. Azcadelia makes any gig their playground, whether it’s bringing the party at local bars or captivating crowds in full theatrics. Masterful onstage and a masterpiece in visual media, this Queen of Queer is both the princess and evil stepmother of her own fairy tale: a Gemini with two faces- and they’re both irresistible!
Right where arthouse meets madhouse, Azcadelia is coming to hypnotise and terrorise. EROTIC. ERRATIC. ELECTRIC. THEY ARE - AZCADELIA!
We sat down with the Draglesque instructor and asked some “hard hitting” questions…
How did you first come into the world of Burlesque? What was it that drew you to the art form?
I had quite a few fleeting encounters with the burlesque world but it wasn’t until a very specific and special encounter that set me down the path to pursue a career in this art form. I had just moved to the big smoke and was working as a little cocktail waitress in a swanky speakeasy bar in the city. One night the manager tells us there’s a private function with a Burlesque performer and of course my ears perked up at that. Then who arrives at the door? But the most otherworldly impeccably dressed BEAUTIFUL, Maple Rose. I was tasked with picking up after her but I was so enamored watching her perform I forgot I had a job to do. What I witnessed set me through the rabbit hole of research that ensued, the characterization!? The tease!? The humour!? What’s not to love!
What is your favourite thing about being a burlesque performer?
Truly my favourite thing is its community, the many beautiful and likeminded creatives that are drawn into this world have harbored the most cherished friendships. I also love the utter freedom to unleash yourself creatively, there are no limits in Burlesque - similarly in Drag it’s a very malleable performance style you can take it anywhere.
How would you describe your unique style? Has it always been like that?
When I first entered the burlesque world I was living my Marilyn Monroe fantasy, incredibly platinum, very pinup & classic - because that was the only Burlesque I had been exposed to at the time. However it was not until I came to terms with my Queer identity that I began engaging in the Queer scene itself, it felt like a change overnight the minute I witnessed Ruby Slippers performing to Need You Tonight...I was forever changed. AFAB (Assigned Female At Birth) can do Drag!? We can do that!? What!?
Once Drag fell into my lap all the puzzle pieces came together in who Azcadelia is today - theatrical, eccentric and always telling stories through the lense of many different characters.
What advice do you have for new and emerging performers?
Don't restrict yourself to one genre / aesthetic, there is so much room to experiment and explore. Go to every show possible, take every class, research all different styles - you will be so surprised by how your personal performance style can evolve just by consuming the many facets of art/performance out there.
How do you develop your acts?
My acts can start anywhere but it's only once I've solidified a narrative that I progress with my act development. I aim for all my routines to be rich in character and a strong story arc, there's intention all throughout. Once this is in place I move onto music and am able to blend in sounds/quotes/songs that work together to deliver this storyline I've drawn up in my head. Then I'll work to develop the look and movement of the piece itself and pray to the Burly gods when I debut a new act it's as good as I think in my head HA!
Do you have a favourite act of yours? Why? Explain it (plus i'd love photos!)
My favourite by far is my Gollum act, my greatest love in performance is making an audience confused & uncomfortable (obviously in a humorous way) - so I feel in this act I take my usual performing style but amp it up to levels I've not reached before. As time has gone on I have made the act more grotesque in the way I paint myself which has strayed from my usual Queer coded Disney Villain origins and I LOVE IT. Not to mention I find it hard to contain myself on stage and not laugh along with the audience at the ridiculousness I know I'm putting on stage.
You can book a Azcadelia class now by going to our booking page! HERE