STAGE CLUB

What is Stage Club?

Stage Club is a low-cost, non-competitive, performance event hosted by Vertical Flex. This event has no guests:

every person who attends performs, so your audience is only fellow performers. Acts of any kind are welcome,

as long as they can be executed safely in the space (usually a pole dance studio). Dance, burlesque, music,

poetry; if you have a hobby or skill that you would like to perform in a low-stakes environment, this is the stage

for you.

What happens at Stage Club?

The evening of Stage Club is broken up into 3 parts: two groups of performances, during which time

participants perform their 2 – 5 minute routine; there is a short intermission between the groups; and then the

event is closed with a free 30-minute workshop presented by the guest host. Most of the evening is spent

supporting and cheering on your fellow performers.

Why was Stage Club created?

Stage Club was created to remove the usual barriers to entry that Elizabeth saw her clients facing when wanting

to try out their hobby or skill on a stage. Stage Club has no performance criteria; all levels and abilities are

encouraged; and far from being a competitive environment, the goal of the evening is to support and hype up

your fellow performers. Elizabeth says that her goal for Stage Club is to be “as low a financial and mental cost

as possible. Performers can put in as much or as little effort as they want. Whatever they show up with will be

supported”.

Who can perform at Stage Club?

Stage Club is for everyone. Many past participants expressed never having any interest in performing their

hobby competitively, and they valued the opportunity to get on a stage without that pressure. Performers who

are hoping to go on to bigger stages will also greatly benefit from honing their skills through Stage Club.

Studies show that performing in front of small audiences in ‘low-stakes’ environments activates brain functions

that incentivize participants to perform well, or facilitate an ‘enhanced motivational state’. 1 Reviews from

previous Stage Club participants also mention the confidence boost that comes from creating, practicing, and

performing a routine in front of an enthusiastic audience. To quote Elizabeth, “It’s never hurt anyone’s mental

health to be cheered on while they’re on stage”.

What is the cost?

Registration for Stage Club is only $5, with the option to donate more to help Vertical Flex cover the costs of

venue hire and the guest instructor. Donation fees of $10 to $50 help cover the actual cost of the event and make

it possible for this event to continue and grow into the future. Stage Club is all about making performing more

accessible. So, whatever registration fee you can afford, whatever your skill and ability, and whatever routine

you have the time and energy to put together, Vertical Flex would love to have you at our next Stage Club event.