Our Saturday night competition is a platform designed to elevate artists who are already making waves and are ready to go further.

It’s about showcasing and celebrating established performers who are working professionally.
When we say "working professionally", we mean artists who have been paid to perform for 3 or more years. The key is that you’ve been paid to work at a professional level, not as a hobbyist only involved with unpaid shows.

This is your moment to be seen by the people who book, mentor, and present talent.
Show them what you do best! Bring your strongest act - polished, powerful, stage-ready. 

It can be an existing number that has toured for years or something brand new, it’s up to you! We want you to know you don't have to create a new act but you can if that's what is calling you. What matters is that it’s fucking good. 

But this isn’t just about the title or trophy. It’s a career development opportunity with real outcomes…
plus a title and trophy, let’s be honest.
 

Winners and finalists receive access to tools and opportunities that go beyond the spotlight:
 

• Exclusive one-on-one mentorship with top tier producers, accountants, lawyers, costume designers, and media masterminds.
   

• Tailored development support on touring strategy, branding, and bookability. Giving you the tools to level up your career.
   

• Unmissable networking power with national and international industry leaders. Your chance to be seen, booked, and remembered.
   

• Career-changing prizes from cold hard cash, paid performance opportunities and spotlight features that put you front and centre.
   

All competitor entries will be judged by a panel of industry professionals, an all entrants will be notified whether they are selected to compete this year or not.

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You will be judged on the following:

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Stage presence and charisma

Costume and styling

Choreography and movement

Concept

Tour readiness / showstopper

Professionalism / behind the scenes

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Code of conduct:

The Melbourne Festival of Tease are deeply committed to creating a safe, respectful, and celebratory space for all.
Bullying, harassment, discrimination, cultural appropriation, or any form of harmful behaviour will not be tolerated on stage, backstage, or in our audience. Our festival and competition are built on inclusivity, integrity, and respect, ensuring every artist feels supported to share their work authentically and every audience member feels welcome to enjoy the magic of burlesque.

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This applies to all participants, staff, volunteers, and audience members across festival shows, competitions, and events.

Anyone found engaging in such behaviour will be subject to immediate removal and exclusion.

Our priority is to maintain a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all.

 

Bettie, Lauren and the TMFOT team are deeply committed to creating a beautiful space for burlesque to flourish.

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If we all win, we all win. 

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About YOU (as a competitor):
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• Be 18 years or older
   

• Identify as any gender - all identities are welcome
   

• Have valid public liability insurance!
   

• Have been performing professionally (paid for) under your current stage name/persona for at least 3 years.
  When we say "working professionally", we mean artists who have been paid to perform for 3 or more years.
  The key is that you’ve been paid to work at a professional level, not as a hobbyist only involved with unpaid shows.
   

• Performers from across Australia & internationally, are warmly invited to apply and will be considered equally.
  Please note, however, that as this is a Melbourne based event, many of the prizes and opportunities offered will be centred around Australian & Melbourne based products, services, and professional connections.
   

• Pay an application fee of $30 (as noted above) to go towards application processing, promotion, time and energy, and selection panel time and expertise.
   

  • If your application is not successful, we will give you 10% of a GA ticket to the event. 
    
     

About your act:

This is a burlesque competition. While we welcome genre crossing work, acts must centre around the art of tease.
Burlesque is not just what you take off, it’s how, why, and with what purpose you do it.
Burlesque is a theatrical performance art rooted in striptease, character, satire, storytelling, glamour, and subversion.
While it can include elements of drag, cabaret, circus, or dance it must centre on intention, reveal, and stagecraft.
 

Your act must include:
 

• A clear reveal or strip - this could be playful, sensual, political, absurd, or dramatic
   

• A narrative, theme, or strong concept
   

• A sense of wit, sensuality, or subversion
   

• A duration of 3 to 5 minutes, submitted as a backing track (MP3 preferred)
   

• You act must be your intellectual property.
  Your act is an authentic, original work that you control and have the legal and creative right to perform.
   

Your act must not include:
 

• Only a lip sync or dance number with no tease element
   

• Live animals.
   

• Multiple performers (this is a solo comp)
   

• Directors, coaches, or choreographers backstage or at tech (unless needed for accessibility)
   

• Fire, rigging, or full nudity
   

• Stage or prop set up / pack down that takes more than 3 minutes
  
   

Accessibility & support:
 

• If you have any accessibility needs, support requirements, or concerns you'd like us to be aware of, please include them in your application. These will not negatively impact your submission in any way.
   

• We’re committed to creating a respectful and inclusive backstage and performance environment.
  If there are any limitations in meeting your request (due to venue or resource restrictions), we will reach out to discuss possible alternatives or solutions with you directly.
  
   

Tech & content notes:
 

• We wish full nudity was allowed but unfortunately due to venue licensing nudity is not permitted - everyone's nipples and genitals must be covered at all times. Accidental costume malfunction won’t lead to disqualification but purposeful nudity will.
   

• Props or “mess” (e.g. glitter, confetti, fake blood, liquids, powder, petals) must be outlined in your application: What you’re using, where it happens in your act & what your clean up process is (and how long it takes)
   

• No rigging is available at the venue.
   

• If your act includes any technical elements (lighting cues, special sound effects, props to be present), please note this clearly.

• If your act involves any dangerous props, tricks or other elements, please note these clearly, and attach your risk management plan and copy of insurance showing you are specifically insured in relation to your dangerous activity.
   

• Fire is awesome but again, not permitted due to venue licensing.
   

• All subject to venue and organiser sign off.
   

Basically, we want you to run free but the systems say we must look out for you, the audience and the team, so be safe!

 

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General Terms and Conditions:

Costs & responsibilities: All finalists are responsible for covering their own travel, accommodation, costumes, props, and other performance expenses unless otherwise specified.

We are unable to provide performance fees or stipends at this time.

Your application confirms you are willing to participate unpaid as part of a competition platform.

If you are selected and later withdraw, we request as much notice as possible so we can reallocate your place.

 

Photography, footage & media:

By applying, you consent to being photographed and filmed during the event (backstage, tech, and performance).

We reserve the right to use all images and footage captured during the competition for promotional purposes across our platforms (website, social media, advertising, press releases, recap reels, etc.).

You will be credited wherever possible, and finalists may be provided access to photos for personal use (with watermark or credit).


Conduct & community expectations: 

All performers must adhere to our Code of Conduct — this includes:
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• Respecting fellow artists, crew, and venue staff
   

• Maintaining professional behaviour backstage and in tech
   

• Addressing concerns via organisers, not on public forums
   

• Any discriminatory or abusive behaviour will result in immediate disqualification.

 

Judge contact policy:
 

• Performers must not contact the judging panel directly regarding scores, outcomes, feedback, or decisions.
   

 

• If you have questions, concerns, or would like general feedback, please direct all communication through the competition organisers.

 

• Any attempts to influence or challenge the judging process outside of official channels may result in disqualification.

Cancellations & disqualification:

You may be disqualified or removed from the lineup if:
 

 

• You breach the competition rules or misrepresent yourself in your application
   

 

• You fail to respond to required communication by deadlines
   

 

• You miss tech rehearsal without prior arrangement
   

 

• You do not arrive at call-time or violate the backstage code of conduct