Known as “the gem you’d love to polish,” Texas Burlesque Performer of the Year 2011 Ruby Joule talks bed sheet corsets, shattered bones, cop dramas, biker bars, and reckless abandon.

Interview: Divertida Devotchka

Q: First of all, congratulations on being voted Texas Burlesque Performer of the Year at last month’s 3^rd Annual Hot Rods and Heels! As if that weren’t enough, the troupe you co-founded, The Jigglewatts, won Texas Troupe of the Year for the second year in a row! That’s quite an accomplishment! Care to comment on this achievement?

Thank you so much! We all work so hard at this art form, and it’s wonderful to be acknowledged.  It was quite an honor to be named among other performers who dazzle and inspire me on a regular basis.  I am extremely flattered to have won the award.  The Jigglewatts is an endeavor I’m especially proud of.  We’re celebrating our five-year anniversary this year and that in itself is huge to me! I’m so grateful that even with all of our solo projects, we’re also able to function together as a strong troupe.

Q: In your last interview with Pin Curl, you mentioned that you make and re-purpose all of your costumes and props. Now that you’ve become a national presence in the burlesque world, are you still creating everything yourself? If so, do you intend to continue doing it yourself, or do you think at some point you’ll have to commission assistance to get your ideal costumes and props as your visions grow bigger and bigger?

Yes, I’m still doing it the old-fashioned way, haha!  My costumes are all self-made collages in one way or another.  Practically speaking, I don’t think I could properly explain to another person exactly what I want in a costume.  Although, I did a fashion show this year where I was asked to do a burlesque striptease out of a specially designed wedding gown to Billy Idol’s “White Wedding” as the finale of the show.  The designer and I met several times for fittings, and I explained how I needed zippers and trouser hooks on each piece… I admit it was a luxury not having to do all that myself; I felt so pampered! I can also definitely see the benefit to having custom created corsetry– that is something I would never attempt… again.  When I was about 13, I tried to make a corset out of fabric from an old bedsheet and some boning I found in my grandmother’s sewing chest.  I wanted a corset so badly, I was determined to make one myself!  I would definitely commission a prop maker, as I have little to no experience there, especially with the big props!

Q: What is your advice for gals whose budgets are much smaller than their dream costumes and props?

I was once lamenting this very thing when a wise producer told me, “creativity goes a long way in making up for what you lack in budget.”  I would say don’t underestimate the treasure trove that a thrift store can be. You can find pieces to repurpose and amazing one-of-a-kind fabrics.  Also, think quality rather than quantity. Maybe your costume doesn’t need 20 layers; you can have just a few pieces that look really stunning.  Also, you might be able to collaborate with a designer who wants to get their name out there, and split the cost of materials.  It can be an expensive art form, that’s for sure.

Q: Also in your previous feature with us, you mentioned that a devastating foot injury when you were a teen led you to shift focus from ballet to theater and other “less punishing” dance styles. If you don’t mind me asking, what kind of injury did you sustain and how long did it take for you to recuperate? I ask because after watching you perform numerous times, I would have never guessed about any injury, let alone such a serious one.

I was in ballet rehearsal one day and just happened to land a jump wrong.  It sent three cracks through my heel bone, effectively shattering it.  We didn’t realize anything serious was wrong until after I had walked around on it for several days and the pain and swelling got really bad.  I had to drop out of the ballet performance and hobble around in a cast for several weeks.  I was young so I bounced back, but classical ballet is so hard on the body, the feet and knees in particular.  I guess maybe it happened at a crucial age, because my dancing was never the same.  Everything happens for a reason though, and I’m glad I’ve gotten to explore and love other types of performance.

Q: Not only are you an award-winning burlesque performer, but you’re also an accomplished actress on stage and screen as well as a model. Tell us about your acting pursuits as of late, as I’ve heard you’ve been quite busy!

Ah yes! There have been some exciting projects lately in television, film, and modeling.  I got to co-star as the girlfriend of an arms dealer on NBC’s cop drama, Chase, about U.S. Marshals working in Texas.  When we filmed, I had to wear a tiny microphone pinned to the inside of my shirt so they could get a clean capture of my lines, but the wire it was attached to had to be hidden in my wardrobe.  We ended up snaking the wire down the leg of my skinny jeans– quite an absurd and silly process, and hiding the rest in my boot!  The episode aired in early May.  I was also in a film called Natural Selection, a southern dramedy starring Rachael Harris (the mean fiancé from The Hangover), and Matt O’Leary (Sorority Row). I played a trashy girl who hustles the male lead in a biker bar, then makes off with all his money and his car. Charming, right?  My only complaint was that wardrobe had me wearing flip flops and a denim mini skirt.  You’d never wear that to a biker bar! Not if you planned on getting a ride, anyway. I’m very happy for this film, as it swept the awards at the SXSW film festival and has been selected for many other prestigious festivals. Variety predicts that it will land distribution soon, so fingers crossed.  In fashion, I’m thrilled to be working with couture designer Boudoir Queen.  I walked the runway for her “Secret Circus” event here in Austin in February, and am traveling with her to Aspen in August for another fashion event. Her designs are pure decadence with a burlesque twist.

Q: You’ve been traveling and performing all over in the last year or two. Other than your multiple performances in New Orleans with Bustout Burlesque and the New Orleans Burlesque Festival, where else have you been?

Oh, travel is one of my headiest addictions! In the past year I’ve gotten to travel and perform in Chicago with Michelle L’Amour, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and… Norman, Oklahoma!

Q: While doing my research, I was interested in a quote from another interview of yours, in which you said that your primary inspiration comes from the audience as opposed to anything else, and that it’s crucial for a performer to connect with his or her audience. What advice do you have for newer performers who are trying to learn the art of making that connection?

It takes practice, so keep trying! The first time I stepped out on a burlesque stage I didn’t expect to be frightened, but I was terrified! There’s something very raw and vulnerable about burlesque because in most cases, all the creative decisions are your own.  There’s no other writer or director responsible if it doesn’t work. It can be tempting to shut down emotionally and just give a pretty “presentation” rather than engaging the audience in your performance. In any type of theatre, burlesque included, the audience wants to be moved. They want to have an experience that makes them feel something! Delight, surprise, longing, ferocity, reckless abandon?  Whatever your goal is, you must take yourself there first! Make yourself feel it, and the audience will come along. It’s human nature.  You can learn to read an audience– sometimes they’re quiet and reserved, which does not mean they don’t like you, contrary to popular belief.  It may mean you have to play it coy, flirt with them in a different way. Maybe they’re just mesmerized!  Go see other burlesque shows and observe the audiences, how they react, what draws them in.

Q: What’s next for Ruby Joule?

Oh, so much my head is spinning! But I’m grateful to be so busy doing what I love.  There will be more travel; to New Orleans and Toronto for festivals, and Aspen for a fashion event.  I’m also working with a brilliant artist who is creating fine art pieces and a comic character based on my burlesque work.  I hope to incorporate more vocals into my acts as well.  Maybe it’s my theatrical roots, but I love talking to the audience a la Gypsy Rose Lee and Blaze Starr.

We last spoke with Austin-based Coco Lectric back in November.  Since that interview, she has gone on to win the Title of Texas Performer of the Year, “Texas Burlesque Ambassador”, and will be performing later this month with none other than Dita Von Teese.  We certainly have a lot of catching up to do, and were honored when Coco took time out of her insanely busy schedule for an interview with us.

Interview & Photographs: Shoshana, of DallasPinUp.com

Q: Since we last interviewed you in November, so much has happened!  First, let’s talk Hot Rods and Heels.  You won the Texas Performer of the Year title, and The Jigglewatts won for Texas Troupe of the Year.  Tell us a bit about the evolution of your work over the last nine months.
The last nine months has been a pretty wild ride. I’ve done more producing than I ever have. We opened the year with a Tribute to Bettie Page which featured The Jigglewatts and Dallas performers, Ginger Valentine and Elisa and other amazing Austin girls. Miss Ruby Joule and I have done a lot more traveling as well; we performed in Albuquerque at the Southwest Burlesque Showcase and in Bustout Burlesque in New Orleans. I performed in Chicago with Michelle L’Amour and her Chicago Startlets in Chicago for “Stripper’s Holiday” in April.

Dallas made reaching my goal of getting my name out there because I got the opportunity to perform in shows with Catherine D’Lish, Perle Noire, Angie Pontani, and my personal favorite, Dirty Martini. I’ve also made festivals a priority this year because, not only would a title or two be wonderful, I get to learn from and become closer friends with some of my favorite burlesque performers and legends. Networking is so important in burlesque world, I mean, sharing one’s performances is kind of the point, right? Performing with other folks from all over the world that make burlesque a priority widens the net of potential audience members and fans.

Q: Right after Hot Rods and Heels, you were off to Vegas to be the only Texas performer given a performance slot at the Miss Exotic World Showcase, part of Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend in Las Vegas, becoming our “Texas Burlesque Ambassador”.  Tell us about that experience.

Being the opening act for the opening show was an honor. So many attendees told me how much they enjoyed my number and I attribute a lot of that to being the first one on stage. The audience was absolutely incredible and attentive and spent their hard earned time and money to get to the venue, so they were ready for a good show. I was SO ready to give it to them, I’d been saving up my adrenaline for that night and can honestly say that when I walked off the stage, I was content. I even got to give Perle Noire the eyes during a glove peel. She responded ecstatically! Being the “Texas Burlesque Ambassador” this year was an honor but it also brought about a new set of responsibilities. So many amazing performers here submitted applications and I was shocked that I was the only one to get in. I was nervous that if my performance wasn’t so great, they really wouldn’t take Texas seriously. I’m hoping I made a big enough splash this year that they consider more Texas performers next year.

Q: The Jigglewatts are headlining at the Lakewood Theater on July 2, and then you are off to New Orleans to perform with none other than Dita von Teese at Tales of the Cocktail. Can you tell us which number/s you are doing?  Are you more nervous or excited?

I’m performing my Big Red Boa number in Dita’s show. I’m very excited about performing with her and I’m doing the long version of the song, which is what I’m most comfortable with. I’m mostly nervous that I won’t have enough rhinestones on my outfit!  But seriously, I am a little nervous about performing for an entirely new audience. Most folks come to burlesque shows because they love burlesque. Dita von Teese’s audience comes to the show because they love Dita, I hope they have enough room in their burlesque hearts for a full-bodied Texan with a tan.

Q: Your four month whirlwind lands you back in New Orleans in mid September to compete for the title of Queen of Burlesque at the New Orleans Burlesque Festival.  Last year’s competition featured an amazing line-up including burlesque super stars like  Perle Noire, Catherine D’ Lish, and Lola Van Ella.  What was your reaction when you were asked to compete?  What is your view on competition in burlesque?

I was absolutely beside myself thrilled when I found out that I’d be competing in the Queen of Burlesque competition this year. I really want to bring something fresh, new, and a little naughty to the show this year. There is just something about performing with a live band that gets my toes curling. I actually kind of enjoy competition in burlesque, it makes me want to improve my craft and do my homework.

I’ve always been a little bit aggressive when it comes to my talents, though. If I weren’t competing with other bombshells, I’d be competing with myself. It really is difficult for a panel of judges to make a decision of who has the best act though, burlesque is like comparing different fruits. No one is selling the same exact gimmick and everyone likes something different. To be honest, I don’t really know how to compete well with other performers, there’s never a level playing field and most of us are playing different games any way.

Q: In the midst of all this, you also managed to complete your master’s degree, be a single mom, and hold down a personal relationship.  How do you manage to do it all?
Wow. That really makes it sound like I’m busy, doesn’t it? The short answer is: I don’t know. I take things one moment at a time. I follow my passions and I try to temper everything with common sense and logic. My degree will open a lot of doors for me in the future, but it has taken a back seat to everything else. There are a lot of things I know I need to do right now. I need to focus on burlesque right now. I need to be a good mom right now. I need my boyfriend right now…wait that’s not what it sounds like!

On a more personal note, I only get the chance to be a great mom once. I know how important my influence is while he’s young and he is my top priority. My boyfriend has been a great support in my life, artistically and emotionally. We’ve known each other for years and I still get butterflies when I know he’s in the audience. I follow my heart and my gut in all matters of my life and, to my great surprise, I find myself where I belong.