Staff & Crew

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

Lola van Ella is an international and award-winning burlesque singer, dancer, producer, instructor and emcee. One of the premier names in burlesque, she performs and produces many shows, including the international Show-Me Burlesque Festival, the largest of its kind in the Midwest, The Shimmy Showdown, and Spectaculaire. She’s been voted as one of the most influential performers in 21st Century Burlesque's Top 50 Burlesque Performers worldwide since its inception, and strives to always be the show she wishes to see in the world. As a performer, Lola’s performed and hosted five times at Miss Exotic World and has headlined the New Zealand, Colorado, Vancouver, Chicago, Kansas City, Ohio, Como Lake, and London Burlesque Festivals. She now resides in New Orleans where she produces and performs frequently.

Photo by Virginia Harold

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER & DIRECTOR

Since 2009 Jeez Loueez has left jaws dropped across the world with her biting wit, kinetic fury, and impeccable comedic timing. Known as “The Honey Badger of Burlesque,” Jeez is a multi-faceted force who’s been hailed as a “Chicago cabaret legend” and voted the number 1 burlesque figure in the world for two consecutive years. Whether she’s dazzling as a burlesque headliner, splitting sides as an emcee, or proving endless hot takes and booty shakes online, Jeez Loueez is a formidable presence who’s been described as “disarming” and “a true entertainer.”

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

Bazuka Joe is one third of The Stage Door Johnnies from Chicago, named BHoF "Best Group 2011." Bazuka has headlined and toured throughout the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. Trained in contemporary, classical, and jazz dance, theater, and vault staff, he’s a seasoned teacher and instructor with more than 15 years of experience teaching and directing at a professional level.

Photo by Kaylin Idora

PERFORMER RELATIONS

PRODUCTION AND STAGE MANAGER

VENDOR AND BACKSTAGE COORDINATOR

The uncensored. Unhinged. Undressed demon is here to cause CHAOS. 

ITS SAILEM! (sailem from hell if you’re nasty)

Originally from the Good ole Saint Louie, NOW living their dreams in the Big Easy! 

SAILEM is an award winning burlesque performer, singer, producer , fire/ sideshow artist and overall  CHILL-fessional badass.

The non binary demon is known for their hypnotic haunting, whimsical, and gritty performance style. They are always bringing something unique, refreshing, and innovative to the stage making core memories and nightmares come true.

When they aren’t onstage entertaining the masses- you can find them almost every week at Fétiche NOLA producing two spectacular shows! You can find them behind the red curtain of their traveling immersive peepshow KEYHOLE on selected Sundays and Risque Rendezvous on selected Thursdays! 

Not only do they perform and produce- they are also an independent recording artist with original witchhouse/dark trap music that can be streamed on all music platforms!

They are captivating. They’re oddly charming. Definitely 10/10 scary. But guaranteed a good time!

WEBSITE AND PROGRAM DESIGN

Dolly Mama made her burlesque debut as a student at Van Ella studios in St. Louis. Blending unexpected humor with a graceful, classic style, this singing burly beauty is known for her hilarious original song parodies — as St. Louis’ own “Weird Gal Yankadick.” A member of The Bon-Bons and The Dreamsicles, she’s also a successful producer and emcee of shows like Stripefy: A Stunning Harry Potter Tribute, Nips at Nite, The Bon-Bon’s Boudoir: An Intimate Cabaret, and Burlyeoke: You sing, we strip! She’s had the distinct honor of performing solo and with her troupes in the 2019 Shimmy Showdown, Missouri Burlypicks 2018, Show-Me Burlesque and Vaudeville Festival, Kansas City Nerdlesque Festival, The Oklahoma City Burlesque Festival, Colorado Burlesque Festival, Spectaculaire!, and The Beggar’s Carnivale.

Photo by John D Williams

TICKETING & BOX OFFICE

Dizzy Tunt has been the Ticketing Coordinator for Van Ella Productions since 2015. She is a St. Louis-based performer and producer, as well as a founding member of the nerdlesque troupe, the Nerds of Prey. Dizzy is also an instructor at the St. Louis School of Burlesque and Variety. Since 2016, she has been shaking her assets across the midwest, everywhere from Anime conventions to comedy festivals, with appearances at the New Orleans Nerdlesque Festival and the Kansas City Nerdlesque Festival.

Photo by John D Williams

CATERING

HEAD OF SECURITY

WEBMASTER, TRANSPORTATION & STUFF