Kat Wondergloom is a burlesque dancer, but even more than that, she is a creative force. Locally and beyond, Kat is an active participant in the pursuit of creative work that is known for being dynamic and life-challenging.
She has a long history of performance art and creativity. As a young child playing dress up with her sister, fighting over whose turn it was to wear the red and black tulle dress, and then putting on talent shows for her family, they would sing and dance. This led to acting in a children's theatre troupe in middle school, opening up for her the love of the stage. As she ventured into high school, she discovered an interest in the behind the scenes technical aspects of theatre, which included producing, a skill that landed her the "Best Producer" award her senior year. During her sophomore year of college, Kat was introduced to Burlesque Queen Dita Von Teese which brought her into the world of Burlesque, fueling a hunger for more she launched herself into the study through books, podcasts, and other online articles. Through all her research, fate, as it were, led her to an advertisement for a local burlesque troupe. She contacted them and eventually she began performing. They took her in and helped raise her. One member, our Darby McCue, even refers to Kat as "her Burlesque daughter". Through their positive influence, Kat discovered new abilities in herself, new love of and appreciation for her body and who she is, and with their support, produced and performed her own show, the "Rockin Pin Up Revue" in 2011 at a local bar.
What Kat loves best about burlesque is the sense of community she has developed through performing, a community that keeps growing and expanding, most recently with the Eugene, Oregon queer based group, "Unveiled", which has allowed her to explore what she calls her "less than conventional" queer art. In addition, Kat enjoys the sense of empowerment that comes from performing and from her community. Mostly she loves how strong and free she feels, realizing the control she has over the audience as she chooses the costume, the song, the choreography to dictate where they need to look, how to react. Furthermore, she has been inspired by how empowering and life-changing burlesque can be for the audience. Countless times, she will have people come up to her with gratitude after a performance, saying how her work has inspired them, how amazing it is to see a larger body type unashamed to revel in all its beauty. This, she says with fondness, has even led some to pursue burlesque as well.
Even so, Kat has experienced some backlash from her art due to a misunderstanding of Burlesque. She explains that it stems from a lack of understanding that it is truly empowering to the dancer as it gives them the choice and control over what to perform. Not only does the dancer get to choose the song, the costume, the dance moves, but they can also decide what to take off or keep on. Its about being comfortable, you get to make every decision in your dance. Its the dancer's opportunity to detail their opinion, fetish, or caricature in a safe, affirming place.
Kat admits that she, like everyone, has experienced some body issues and negativity in her life. But, through burlesque, she has discovered and finds magical about it is that it empowers and appreciates all, regardless of gender, race, body type, age, or disability. For example, the type of dancer referred to as Legends, those that are still performing into an advanced age, are greatly revered within the burlesque community. In addition, she specifically makes it a point with her production, Love, Lust & Leather, to employ dancers of color, as well as a variety of genders, body types, age, and disabilities. It's truly about empowerment and helping all to truly love themselves.
A challenge that Kat has faced with her career has been what most artists are continuously battling, that of knowing your worth as a performer and having the confidence to ask for financial compensation. Generally, society devalues all the hard work that goes into producing quality art, taking it for granted and in a very real sense under-appreciating the dedication of the artist. It's an uphill battle for any artist to overcome and one of which Kat is doing a beautiful job with her own self-work as well as inspiring other artists to continue to grow and develop their self worth, confidence, and value.
You want more of Kat. Check out her and other performances at upcoming Love, Lust, & Leather shows:
Saturday, July 13, 2019
Talent Club, Talent, OR
10 pm, 21+
For tickets: lovelustleathertalent.bpt.me
Saturday, August 17, 2019
Labor Temple, Astoria, OR
10 pm, 21+
Take a minute to "like" Love, Lust & Leather on Facebook. You can also follow Kat on Instagram @katwondergloom and support her on Venmo @katwondergloom.
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