How Does a Showgirl Spend a Workday?
General Overview
A showgirl is a professional dancer who entertains audiences in stage revues. The term also refers to young women who model in trade shows and bring attention to the sponsors' products by dressing provocatively. Showgirls are known for their outrageous and flashy costumes and elaborate stage routines. In places such as Paris, France and Las Vegas, Nevada, showgirls are extremely popular, with many establishments offering nightly performances.
Earlier in the Workday
Early in the day, a showgirl spends the workday in rehearsals for the upcoming show, usually later in the evening. The morning before the show, the showgirls spend a few minutes doing stretching exercises to warm up the muscles and prevent injuries. This is followed by learning and perfecting the dance routines to be performed later in the show. Rehearsing new and old routines takes several hours of the workday for a showgirl. Lastly, a dress rehearsal takes place as the showgirls perform the routine in full costume. A showgirl who works at trade shows spends the entire workday standing near a sponsor's products in a bathing suit or gown and encouraging people to stop by to learn more about the product. Most showgirls of this type work at car or boat trade shows.
Late Workday and Performance
The later workday for a showgirl consists of preparing for the night's performance. The showgirl must report backstage a few hours before the show in order to get fitted for her costume, get her hair done and apply her makeup. Once the show begins, the showgirl's job is to put on a great performance. Depending on the caliber of the show, the showgirl may perform in a chorus line, parade across the stage displaying the elaborate costumes, perform a choreographed dance, perform a provocative dance that involves stripping off her clothing or give a performance that involves heavy acrobatics and gymnastics. Most showgirls perform either every day of the week or a few select days like the weekend, when more people tend to go out to watch shows.
