The Beauty and Brains Behind the 'Kit Kat Follies' - Kitty Diggins

Story by Nica Jensen

It would be a heroic feat to find someone more committed to burlesque than long-time performer Kitty Diggins. While burlesque currently gathers steam as the hip "new" form of entertainment, Diggins was fighting to keep it alive back when there was no one in the audience to listen, much less applaud. But with the upcoming Kit Kat Follies, Diggins time may have finally come, and for Exotic World Museum, it's not a moment too soon.

The following are Kitty's own words about what burlesque really means, why it's so important to save Exotic World, and why it would be downright criminal to let Dixie fight this battle alone.

I came up with the idea for an Exotic World benefit the first time I went to Exotic World. There were leaks in the ceiling and everything was falling apart, and I thought, God, there's got to be some way to do something about this! Then, last year at Teasarama Dixie was auctioning a dress that had belonged to Gypsy Rose Lee, so I bid on it and I got it. That really inspired me to get started. About a month later I met (PDM columnist) Shasta at Exotic World, and we started working on this benefit together. Baby Doe from Teasearama posted it on the Internet and immediately we received 200 responses from people who wanted to perform and get involved.

This benefit is one of the most important things I've ever done. I've been performing old style burlesque for many years, and while I've made a name for myself, I haven't made much money. Sometimes I would think, "am I insane for doing this?" I felt so alone, as if the art form was just really forgotten by almost everyone. So, the first time I went to Exotic World I was so incredibly moved, just seeing all the artifacts, and knowing that this art form DOES exist, that I wasn't crazy! Seeing Dixie's dedication and perseverance inspired me and validated what I was doing. Because of Exotic World, I knew my art had a place in history and the entertainment world and wasn't ridiculous.

If Exotic World were to disappear, I think the items in the museum would end up in other collections. But maintained as a whole, Exotic World is an amazing presentation of the history of burlesque. Also, Dixie's museum tours definitely make Exotic World what it is. During the Exotic World tour, you get a very strong sense of this other time and the hard work these women put forth. It's easy to see why the history of burlesque is important -- it's had a huge influence on entertainment as we know it. It's also very important in terms of women's history and women's creative expression. Art is always the most important and definitive word of the times, and burlesque was a very direct commentary on social and domestic situations. Historically, the women of the burlesque were always persecuted, and in that sense, female burlesque performers were the first suffragettes, and the first spokeswomen against censorship. Those women, by performing their comedic skits -- which were portrayals of the battle of the sexes -- were always getting in trouble for telling it like it was. That was not an acceptable thing for a woman to be doing at that time.

I've always believed dance is a unique form of feminine expression. And if its something the dancer herself is creating, it's a very empowering medium.

I do see a mainstream future for burlesque. But, hopefully, that future will include the actual burlesque performers; not just big corporate movie and music stars playing the roles of burlesque performers - Moulin Rouge comes to mind! Id' like to see the creative and financial opportunities come to the women who have actually worked in burlesque - the professionals. I'd like to see burlesque become a part of the strip club culture. One reason I'm not a stripper is because I can't do the typical, mainstream form of stripping, but if there were opportunities to do burlesque at clubs, I'd be doing it.

I hope to bring attention to Exotic World for those who don't know about it or have never had the opportunity to go there. And to bring attention to the fact that it really needs help on many different levels. Exotic World did not begin just as a museum, but it began as a common ground for people in the industry to come together and I want to help re-establish that.

A lot of people ask how they can continue to be involved and help the cause, and the answer is pretty simple: Any time there's a burlesque or cabaret event, GO!! Pay the admission price and support the art form! And as for Exotic World, bring your friends down for a tour, buy some souvenirs, spread the word. Support Dixie Evans, and support your local burlesque artists.

(originally published in Private Dancer magazine)