Page 46 - AVN November 2015

LEGAL NEWS
My name is Brooke Haven. I have
danced at gentlemen’s clubs for
17 years, and for a great many of
those years have been employed as
a feature dancer at clubs around the
country through The Lee Network.
With multiple years of experience
performing and instructing in the
industry, I wanted to share some
of the tips I’ve learned along the
way, which will hopefully help any
adult performers who want to start
feature dancing. So here we go…
STAGE RITES | STOP, THIEF | | By Brooke Haven
|By Nate Glass
needs to be
over the top and
”Your outfit
set you apart
Pole Numbers
10 tips to start feature dancing
Professionalism Is Key
One of the things that I cannot stress enough to young
performers is professionalism. From the moment you arrive
at a venue to the moment you leave, you are on the clock.
This is a business and every part of the job must be taken
seriously. The way you arrive, how you look and how you
greet people are just as important as the performance on
stage. When you are on stage, you have to portray that it
is “the greatest booking ever.” Professionalism goes a long
way in a booker’s decision to bring you back to the venue—
which is a cornerstone of being
successful in this profession.
Get the Proper Training
Feature dancing is no easy
profession. I recommend to all
beginners to get the proper
training and meet with
accomplished
professionals
before booking
any appearances. Understanding the importance of
stretching and building choreography routines are important,
so that you don’t hurt yourself while on stage. Training both
with and without a pole is encouraged, so that no matter the
venue, you are comfortable performing your choreography
routine.
Own Your Outfit
Your outfit needs to be over the top and set you
apart from other acts. I take all my girls
to Bizzy B on Hollywood Boulevard
to find costumes. The girls can then
customize their costumes to their
liking, as well as find something
they feel confident in—which is
really important. Choreography
comes after the costume, so it is
important to pick the right outfit.
Suitcase Items
Three items that you always want
to bring in your suitcase to a
performance: baby wipes, stiletto
heels, and your DVDs. Having a
stash of DVDs at your bookings
will bring in some extra cash.
Money Talks
The way you collect money while performing has an impact on
the success of your performance. When money is laid down
on the stage, be sure to go up to each person—don’t just grab
the money. It’s important to build that relationship with the
customer, and it’s something that management pays attention
to. Also, be sure to sweep all money toward the center of the
With some 400 adult movie titles on her résumé and
17 years as a feature dancing, Brooke Haven speaks
with authority on how to succeed on the gentlemen’s
club circuit. She wrote this article on behalf of the Lee
Network for AVN magazine.
46 | AVN.com | 11.15
stage. That way a person can lay down more money if desired
and it is much easier to collect at the end of your performance.
Bring a Companion
Traveling with a companion is always more fun than traveling
alone! Having an additional person with you not only can
keep your mind fresh and sharp, but also can help your
performance run smoothly. Coordinating with a companion
who doubles as your assistant can make costume changes,
money collecting and just the overall performance less
stressful.
Music Is Money
Choosing the right music is very important to the
overall success of your performance. During the
entirety of the show, there are usually three to
four songs used. The first song MUST match your
costume. The song choices should be fun and
upbeat, but most importantly familiar to you as
the performer. I often pick songs that I jam out
to in the car. Additionally, I would have two
to three different track lists available based on
the crowd—some may prefer rock over rave,
as an example. I would try and stay away from
slow songs unless it is to close your set—
you want the music to bring energy to your
performance.
Tipping Tips
When tipping the DJ and the door guys, I prefer
to tip each individual at the end of the booking.
Putting the money in blank envelopes with each
person’s name on it is the most professional and safest way
of tipping that I have found. If you tip at the beginning, or
before your booking is finished, it puts you in a difficult
spot for future appearances.
Believe in Your Act
Owning your act on stage is one thing, but bringing
that confidence level to signings and public appearances
is equally as important. There is no time to be a shy
wallflower in this industry.
Take Advantage of the Opportunities
One perk that comes with the profession is the amount of
traveling you are able to do. This job has taken me all around
the world and has allowed me to see places I never dreamed
I would be able to visit. So when booking events, request
arrival dates one day prior, so you can explore the area.
Those are my tips, and I hope they gave you some insight
into the profession as a whole. Remember, the better your
interaction is with your customer base, the more invites you
will receive. So the more professional, humble and outgoing
you are, the better chance you have at success.