“THE BIG REVEAL with CALAMITY CHANG”

QUICK FIRE WARM UP

• Glitter Lips?

Yes!

• Dance shoes or stilettos? 

Dance shoes all the way! Except when doing neo/fetishy acts, then its Pleasers

• Enter with music or start on-stage? 

Both, depends on which act I am doing

• Bumps, Grinds, Shakes or Shimmies? 

Grinnnds

• Dermablend or Sally Hansen? 

Neither. I don’t use body creme.

• To wig or not to wig? 

Rarely, my hair is a big tool and reveal in my acts. But that was pre-pandemic, now it’s a lot shorter!

• Three words that describe you? 

Bold, Down to Earth, Authentic

• Favorite Body Part? 

Boobs

• Last thing you do before the curtain opens? 

Smile!

• Least favorite part about performing? 

Having to take off and put on a new costume set during rehearsals…

AND NOW THAT YOU’RE WARMED UP….

• What was your introduction to burlesque? 

Starshine Burlesque by Little Brooklyn and Creamee Stevens at the now defunct Rififi’s

• When did you know you had what it took? 

I have always ‘performed’. In high school, I competed in Speech/Debate, in college I was in an all ‘gyrl’ improv comedy troupe, so it was just a matter of time before my path intersected with burlesque!

• Who is your inspiration? 

All the Asian performers who came before me like Anna May Wong, Margaret Cho, the dancers of Forbidden City such as Coby Yee, Noel Toy, and more!

• Assuming it doesn’t say Calamity Chang on your birth certificate, where did your stage name come from?

The name “Calamity Chang” is inspired by the notorious frontierswoman Calamity Jane, an outlaw who was known to be a daredevil and an alcoholic. I may not be all those things (but I did grow up in Texas), I do identify with the same rebellious freedom but through the art form of burlesque.What percentage of Calamity Chang would we see if we ran into you at the grocery store? I’m pretty much the same person on and off stage, on stage, certain aspects are just more amplified.

• What is your signature move? 

Hairography and fan dance.

• What is your favorite costume piece of all time? 

All the ones that Sweet Carousel made for me, and also I own a couple sets I bought from Kalani Kokonuts that I love too.

• What is your most embarrassing on-stage mishap?

Well, any time you trip on stage is always embarrassing…but i’ve learned not to dwell on those moments cause shit happens and you move on.What was the best performance of your career so far? I have a few but it’s never enough. Always reaching for the next high!

• Who is your dream collaborator? 

Christina Manugee would be my next dream collaborator. I’ve collaborated with Ms Tickle and Jamie Von Stratton, both are ‘level up costume makers’

• What is your favorite venue? 

Anywhere that has a proper stage with curtains. This may be the norm in any cities other than NYC, but here it is rare! For example, the Bijou Theater in Connecticut really stuck out in my mind.

• How much do you ACTUALLY work out? 

Funny, pre-pandemic, I never worked out. I hated the idea of a regimented time of day where I had to do something that made me sweaty, out of breath, and let’s be honest, not FUN. It felt like prison. However, since April, I started working out every day using the Blogilates app and her free workout calendars. It’s become a critical routine for me that gives me a sense of normalcy, takes me out of stressful thinking, the endless thought loops that go nowhere and create so much anxiety, depression, fear. I get that endorphin effect now.

• Do you have any pet peeves when it comes to other performers? 

Yes quite a few. People who don’t show up on time, show up hair/MUA not ready, people who are oblivious of how much space their things are taking up in a small backstage (NYC problem), people who are boastful, namedrop, like to brag, and my biggest pet peeve are people who lie.

• Have you ever dated a fan? 

God No.

• What is the strangest gift you ever got from a fan? 

My favorite noodle soup from my favorite noodle shack in Chinatown. I love food gifts.

• Do you have any pre-show rituals? 

I always nap before a show, and when I get ready I like to have a vodka soda and listen to the song I will be performing that night.

• If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be? 

Better pay, less worship and idolization of festivals for titles.

• If you could give one piece of advice to a newbie, what would it be? 

Burlesque is a process of learning about oneself. Our identities are always shifting so what you performed last year may not resonate with you next year. And that’s okay! It’s okay to try many different styles.

• What would you be doing if it wasn’t burlesque? 

Writing a book or operate a small boutique motel in the country

• What would you like to be remembered for?  

I ain’t dead yet!

For more, visit  X Burlesque | CALAMITY CHANG BURLESQUE | United States and follow her at Calamity Chang™ (@calamitychang) • Instagram photos and videos