Staff & Crew

  • Lola Van Ella

    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

  • Jeez Loueez

    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.”

  • Bazuka Joe

    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

  • Mama Megan

    PRODUCTION AND STAGE MANAGER

  • Allura Fette

    VENDOR AND MERCH COORDINATRIX

    Allura Fette is a beloved St. Louis icon, renowned for her charismatic stage presence and exceptional musicality. Her diverse training spans striptease, belly dance, fire and flow arts, pole dance, floorwork, and more under the guidance of some of the industry's leading entertainers. Allura’s performances are as varied as her nuerospicy interests ranging from sultry slow burn to campy, comedic and beyond. Her talent has dazzled audiences across North America, with notable appearances at 25+ burlesque festivals and three Shimmy Showdown Weekenders. In 2025 she was the co-winner of the improv showdown Last Pasties Standing at the Kiss My Grits Burlesque and Vaudeville Festival in Atlanta.

    Since 2013, Allura has been an enthusiastic instructor, sharing her expertise at conventions, festivals, local studios, and in individual mentorships. In 2024 she attended and taught at BurlyCon, the international burlesque education conference, reflecting her commitment to continuous improvement—a principle she lives by with her motto, "always learning, always growing." Allura’s passion is community and uplifting those around her. Her unofficial tagline is “The Fangirl of Burlesque” because you’ll often see her as a patron at shows cheering for everyone on stage. To learn more about Allura or to connect, visit her online at allurafette.com

  • Auralie Wilde

    EDUCATION DIRECTION

    Auralie Wilde has been captivating burlesque audiences since 2011. Dubbed the “Smart Mouth of Burlesque,” her electric presence has lit up stages in London, Alaska, and the Netherlands. A featured performer at Berlin Burlesque Week (2017) and 2023 Shimmy Showdown champion, Auralie proudly calls St. Louis home.

    In addition to hosting the monthly show TRIBUTES! and co-producing the newcomer showcase The Gateway Cabaret, she serves as Education Coordinator for the Show Me Burlesque Festival. Passionate about performer development, she brings mentorship and expertise to the heart of her work. 

    Whether on the mic at the World Naked Bike Ride or leading her troupe, Immodest Proposal, her razor-sharp wit leaves a lasting impression.

  • SAILEM

    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!

  • Dolly Mama

    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

  • Dizzy Tunt

    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

  • Greta Garter

    PERFORMER RELATIONS

  • Farris Maiden

    CATERING

  • Jay

    HEAD OF SECURITY

  • Luke Thighwalker

    WEBMASTER, TRANSPORTATION & STUFF

  • ELENA / DJ R.E.HOLA

    Head of Music and Tech