Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracy Phillips.
Tracy, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I began dancing at age 3. At that young age, I was already serious, determined and committed to making dance a career. My resolve was unrelenting and at the age of 18, I moved to LA to become a dancer. Other people applaud this as a kind of courage, but I never felt I had a choice except to follow my dreams & that’s exactly what I’ve done! My dance career was based mostly in film, music videos and commercials, but I found a particular niche in burlesque. Early in my dance career, I was inspired by Tom Waits’ song, “Pasties & A G-String”, and I felt compelled to do more than just dance. I choreographed a burlesque style number to the song for a showcase. My work was recognized and my choreography career took off from there. I have worked on countless music videos, commercials and films, but I’ve always also created my own path by creating, choreographing and directing my own shows. My work, called “fearless” by the LA Times – has garnered such buzz in the entertainment industry I’ve become a leading choreographer for edginess and provocation. I started a passion project, a company called Harlow Gold, in 2012, a high-energy rock and roll girlie show, that played live weekly throughout Los Angeles for over six years. I recently launched a new company, Noir Noir LLC, which is my new black label burlesque company. My new show that I’m directing, “On The Fringe” opened at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel Theatre on February 13th, and it will play live for the next year.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Haha. No! I’ve always had some curves for a professional dancer. I would say I have a classic 1940s-1950s body and I felt I was born in the wrong time. Initially, it was something I thought was a negative thing, being a dancer. I struggled with body insecurities and I was always trying to hide. When I found the world of burlesque, I found a world that not only embraced but revered a curvier body. This seemingly negative attribute shaped my entire career. It forced me to find my own lane and create with what I uniquely had, and not what was accepted at the time. I learned to create exaggerated shapes with my body and this became my own unique style of choreography. It has spilled into my work as a director and branded my work and shows with a mix of authenticity, femininity, sexuality, and power.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Noir Noir – what should we know?
My companies, Harlow Gold & my newest, Noir Noir LLC, are known for entertainment, particularly, live burlesque shows. They are not your typical burlesque shows. They are done with professional dancers, the best women from Los Angeles dance community. The shows are an immersive and theatrical experience and more like watching a piece of art. The women are empowered and I always say they are posed as the subject, not the object. The shows are a little bit Weimar, a little bit punk, a little bit burlesque, and all attitude!
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Hard work and artistic integrity.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.getonthefringe.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/getonthefringe/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/getonthefringe/
Image Credit:
Amy Ryerson photography
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