The 2025 hybrid DisabiliTease Festival will take place July 18-19 and 26!
Although this is the festival’s 5th year, it will be our second time having an in-person show and workshops!
Our hybrid Friday, July 18 show will allow performers to gather and celebrate each other’s art with the local Twin Cities community in person. It will also be live-streamed to continue to connect with performers and audiences worldwide.
Our virtual Saturday, July 19 show will feature pre-recorded acts with a live emcee.
On Saturday, July 19, the DisabiliTease Academy will host three in-person live-streamed workshops, and on Saturday, July 26, the DisabiliTease Academy will host three virtual workshops.
If you have any questions, you can email us at info@DisabiliTeaseFestival.com.
DisabiliTease Festival Event Tickets
The DisabiliTease Festival is a multi-day festival on July 18, 19, and 26 that celebrates disabled burlesque, cirque, cabaret, and drag performers and instructors from around the world.
Show information
In-person shows are held at the historic Capri Theater in Minneapolis, MN. Be sure to read more about our venue and our COVID statement.
Virtual shows will be held via Zoom.
Friday, July 18th at 8pm Central – in person and on Zoom
Headliner – Alyssa Kitt. Feature – Opiumm Hayze. Emcee – Silky the Body.
Cast members Anastasia, Boobs Radley, D’Monica Leone, Dizzy Tunt, Emerald Eve, Jaqueline Boxx, Kisa von Teasa, Lakota Shekhar, Mary Annette, Neon Calypso, Sasha A Bombfox, Nadi and the Prancing Ponies (Jackson Rogue, Nadi A’marena, Prance Dashing, Xavier)
Saturday, July 19th at 8:00pm Central on Zoom
Headliner – Alyssa Kitt. Feature – Bea Lissima. Emcee – Mx. Quest.
Cast members Deja Louve, Dravyn, Erin Ball and Maxime Beauregard, Iris Envy, Kingdom, Lady Sapphire Noir, MissShapen, Mr. Strange, Sassy Wheels, and Sydney & Montgomery Quest.
Workshops
In Person Workshop Information:
Workshops will be located in the practice room on the second floor of the Capri Theater. An elevator is available, and staff will be in the lobby to direct you to the correct space. Learn more about the Capri on our venue information page.
Accessibility:
- Wheelchair accessible venue including restrooms and entrances
- Hybrid option available
- Will be recorded for future viewing
Virtual Workshop Information:
Virtual workshops will be held using Zoom.
Accessibility:
- Live captioning
- Moderated chat to give opportunities to ask questions during the workshop
- Will be recorded for future viewing
Saturday, July 19
Energy Flow: Mastering the Stationary Sizzle with Jacqueline Boxx
Saturday, July 19 at 11:30 AM Central in Minneapolis and on Zoom
Commanding an audience’s attention doesn’t have to mean constantly moving about a stage! Whether you want to keep the drama going even during the quietest parts of your act or you need to plan for spectacular stationary sizzle due to mobility restrictions, it’s all about mastering that Energy Flow. Learn the five elements Jacqueline uses to make the absolute most of center stage by practicing and performing a brief, fully accessible piece of choreography that includes adapting these elements to your own performance style. Students should dress comfortably for movement.
Shape Shift with D’Monica Leone
Saturday, July 19 at 1:00 PM Central in Minneapolis and on Zoom
Objective:
- Develop brush techniques to achieve proper application
- Establish bone structure to successfully highlight and contour
- Understand areas of application for depth and precision (highlight and contour)
- Hacks to correct errors or shorten the application process
Supplies:
Please bring your makeup kits and individual mirrors. Kits should include face primer, foundation, concealer, lashes or mascara, blush, eyeshadow, makeup brushes, eyeliner, and setting powder
Slow and Sensual with Alyssa Kitt
Saturday, July 19 at 3:00 PM Central in Minneapolis and on Zoom
Want to master the slow burn, ensnare with a searing gaze and turn your audience into putty? It’s time to crank on the brakes and get ready to slink, sleuth and slither on stage. This workshop is a chance to slow things down and get sensual. In this two-hour workshop, the provocative stripteuse Miss Alyssa Kitt will teach you how to tantalise, tease and develop your confidence to take your damn time on and off the stage. Harnessing somatic breath and meditative tactility, this luxuriously unique workshop fuses disability dance with burlesque, sensual moving meditation, and intuitive movement that will help you build your sexy from the inside out. You will learn to listen and find your own sensuality, to draw out your own unique movements and project sexual intention and channel teasing tension into your own dance style. This workshop builds upon Alyssa’s academic background in disability and dance methods and alternate movement practices, celebrating “crip” theory and diverse bodies.
Supplies:
What to bring – your fine self, a notebook, comfortable clothes, a small prop or costume item (gloves, or an elastic piece of material), water, and a little stripper blanket (you heard me right – byo fuckrug). No heels or kneepads necessary. Perfect for beginners and professionals alike. Suitable for all bodies and movement abilities – wheelchairs, canes/ mobility devices and comforting props are all encouraged!
Saturday, July 26
Introduction to Microaggressions with Bea Lissima
Saturday, July 26 at 1:15 PM Central on Zoom
An introduction to micro-aggressions, their impact, and how to recognize these instances in your everyday life. Bea Lissima will cover real-life experiences to provide context and how to address these behaviours in your communities, workplace, and families through bystander intervention. Taught with a focus on queer and racialized communities.
About the instructor:
Bea Lissima is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion facilitator and consultant in her civilian life and has delivered workshops on anti-oppression topics throughout ‘Canada.’
Accessibility:
- Live captioning
- Moderated chat to give opportunities to ask questions during the workshop
- Will be recorded for future viewing
Navigating Burlesque Festivals with Bea Lissima
Saturday, July 26 at 3:00 PM Central on Zoom
With experience in performing at over 40 festivals in her career as a burlesque artist, Bea shares her tips and tricks for applying to festivals, best practices, and what to prepare for travelling. This workshop is pre-recorded, but Bea Lissima will be on hand to answer any questions that may arise.
Accessibility:
- Live captioning
- Moderated chat to give opportunities to ask questions during the workshop
- Will be recorded for future viewing
Vending Opportunities
Vendor applications are now live! We invite vendors to join us in creating an inclusive and vibrant marketplace. This is a unique opportunity to showcase your products to a diverse and enthusiastic audience. Apply now to secure your spot and be part of this extraordinary event on Friday, July 18, at the Capri Theater in Minneapolis.
Thank you to our volunteers and judging panel!
Judges:
Alex Valdez
Lili VonSchtupp
Matt Finish
Sepia Jewel
Tas Al-Ghul
Viktor Devonne
Willow Wonderlust
Crew and on-site volunteers:Â
Saturday:Â
Off-site volunteers:
ASL interpreters:Â
Epiphany Davis
Kate Block
Nancy B
Nathan Tucker
Live captioners:Â
Julianne Mitchell
Marco Polo
Teresa Meyer-Clemens
Videographer:
Todd Wardrope
Photographer:
Dahlia Daydream
Thank you to our 2025 DisabiliTease Festival supporters!
Donors, sponsors, and advertisers:
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
Thank you to our fiscal sponsor, Life-size Meme Productions.
