Meet Zara Estelle | Studio Manager at Metropolitan Studios

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zara Estelleand we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zara, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
When I was in my 20s, I was very results driven when it came to my work. And I live, breathed, and ate work. It was a full consumption of my life and as much as I prided myself on my work, I missed out on a lot of opportunities with loved ones and I would take my work home with me and let it wear and tear on my mental health. As someone in their early 30s now, I understand that I can appreciate the results, not cause myself anxiety to get there, and leave the work day behind to enjoy time with my wife.

I now understand that work/life balance means being able to love and enjoy what you do 24/7 but not doing those things 24/7.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a burlesque performer of 11 years. My signature act I created in 2016 called Freedom – Lemonade. It is a story of generational trauma, Black resilience, and the sheer will to survive and the ability to dream about thriving. This is my most performed, most requested, and most travelled act. In 2022 it was awarded Princexx of Funk at the What the Funk Festival in Seattle and travelled internationally to the Panama Burlesque Fest in 2023.

Getting into burlesque was easy for me because I have trained in dance since the age of 3. I have always hated clothes and have taken them off (sometimes in public) since I was young. Understanding the build of a burlesque act and the art of it was easy for me as well since I was trained as a choreographer and a teacher. What proved to be difficult for me was the marketing side of burlesque; having to be your own manager and promoter and get yourself out there to create connections. To get into festivals to show who you are on stage and also network with people in real time. We are a bunch of nerodivergents. It’s difficult.

The other difficult thing is navigating the scene as a Black Performer. Having to deal with being tokenized and accepting a gig that was the standard at the time versus not taking the gig, even if you need the money, because the producer hasn’t done their part in curating a diverse show. From deciding when it’s appropriate to include twerking to wondering if a song you’ve chosen may be too “racy”. In general there are so many things that a Black Performer cannot control because we are constantly looked over for our white passing counterparts. It took me some years, as well as maturing, to fully recognize when people were including us for their benefit and not for ours.

I have made it my mission to make sure there are more shows and spaces curated for Black and Brown bodies. I have started reaching out to producers to help them cast a more diverse show and to avoid tokenism. Living in Atlanta should make seeing shows with more diversity easy but you would be surprised at how many shows are cast with maybe one or two BIPOC performers. I want all BIPOC performers to feel safe, seen, and loved. And that requires a community willing to put in the work and who want that as well.

After 15 years of teaching dance and dreaming of running or owning a dance studio performance space I was given my dream job of Studio Manager at Metropolitan Studios. I not only get to be in the fringe arts community full time but I also get to help it grow and change. In the past year I have committed myself to continuing Metropolitans mission and vision and have worked to make our space more diverse. In doing so we have also implemented standards for a safe space. I have been able to help people see the opportunities they have to grow and guide them to the tools we have to offer. I have been able to help give space to people and groups that would not usually come to a business mainly for burlesque. We have had EP release parties, kink parties, baby showers, weddings, bridal showers, bachelorette parties, women’s circles, ministry services, community movement classes, etc. Having these types of events has opened our space up to even more people who may not have found us otherwise. Just about a month ago, we were having a Plus-size clothing swap and 3 college students from Alabama drove 3 hours to come and they talked about how excited they were to be around so many Queer identifying adults in one space.

Everyone talks about the energy at the studio and how welcoming it is for everyone. If you are a supporter of the LGBTQIA community and love being around people like you or even people who will love and support you, that is Metropolitan Studios and my goal is to make it even more welcoming and warm. Everyone needs a space like that and we are striving to be that for so many people and artists.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would take a dance class at The Atlanta School of Burlesque. Get some oysters at Hippin’ Hopps. Go to Ponce City Market for shopping and drinks. The Civil Rights Museum. Have dinner at Three Dollar Cafe. See a burlesque show by the Candybox Revue at Metropolitan Studios. Go to Felix’s for karaoke with Luke Smart. Go line dancing at the Heretic. Would then sit on the couch with our “Queer Crew” and spend the evening laughing and playing games.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to thank The Candybox Revue and The Atlanta School of Burlesque as the amazing fringe arts community that I am a part of. They are a support system that also provides checks and balances. The Atlanta School of Burlesque has been named by The Georgia Business Journal as a 2023 Best of Georgia™ Arts & Entertainment Regional Winner in the category for Dance Schools, Studios, and Instructors. Both of these entities have had years worth of success because they are made up of people who care, who make the energy inside of Metropolitan Studios buzz, who create art together, but who also encourage each other to take chances and supports the growth it takes to get there.

Roula Roulette/Rebecca Beasley – Roula is the owner of Metropolitan Studios/Atlanta School of Burlesque/Candybox Revue. Post pandemic, she reached out to me to meet and learn more about the Atlanta School of Burlesque and interview me to become a teacher. I was immediately in awe at how organized she was. I wanted to learn more about the Burlesque Troupe. She sold me on that as well. I quickly became part of the organization. She always made that my voice mattered. That my vision mattered. She quickly became my closet friend in the community and is someone that I relay on, trust, am inspired by, We have such a great relationship where we can bounce ideas off each other and game plan the future together. And last year, Roula created a Studio Manager position for me to come on and help her run this magical entity. She has given me the opportunity to create art, safe spaces, creative freedom, and has given me the ability to help others rise up. She has made an impact on everyone’s lives who have walked into this space but I will forever be grateful for the impact, opportunity, and success I have gotten because of her.

Candybox Revue and Atlanta School of Burlesque as the amazing fringe arts community that I am a part of. They are a support system that also provides checks and balances.

My wife (Jenn Ruffin/Axel Estelle) who pushes me creatively and collaborates with me. Who is with me for every show, rehearsal, and truly is there to see me succeed.

My mother (Sally Maddick) who spent thousands upon thousands of dollars for my art. And when I dropped out of college said “Burlesque makes up for it.” My mom has supported me in every aspect of performance art I have ever tried. She was my biggest fan until I met my wife.

My daddy (Floyd Dorsey) who spent his entire life being an incredible genius of a performer who helped me cultivate my art. Who sat me down for rehearsals for hours on end, singing the same song on repeat. When I got into burlesque, he would help me create concepts and act. He would critique and give ideas. He was also the reason I fell in love with burlesque.

Website: metrostudioseav.com

Instagram: @thezaraestelle

Facebook: Zara Estelle

Image Credits
Paul Sebastian Marc Turnley