SEPT 2018 – SEP 2026
The Vaudettes DIGITAL MEDIA DESIGN
The Vaudettes are a small ensemble of dance and sideshow entertainers on a mission to electrify the masses with immersive rock-n-roll burlesque production—unapologetically celebrating sexual autonomy and body positivity while empowering audiences internationally.
Embracing the spirit of Chicago storefront theater, working for Vaudettes is characterized by resourcefulness and determination in spite of limited funding. But, despite these challenges, in the eight years I have been collaborating with Vaudettes on design projects, we have achieved remarkable success. They are a supportive community that facilitates experimentation and collaboration. Those constrained financial resources have presented opportunities for innovation and skill development; for example, this was the beginning of producing most printed merch in-house.
In March 2024, Amee Binder (owner) requested a poster for the upcoming Naughty Vaudy Dance Workshop. The particular song chosen for this event was a subversive, call-to-action, and needed an inspirational poster to match. The sole requirement was utilizing one particular production photo (see a); once approved it could be prepared for ticket sales and social media.
And so it went / The children lost their minds / Beggin’ for forgiveness / Was such a waste of time / And the bullets start to fly / And the bough's about to break When you hear them cry / It’s too much for me to take / They said the world does not belong to you / You are not the king, I am not the fool / They said the world does not belong to you / It don't belong to you / It belongs to me.
'AND SO IT WENT' / ben philips, taylor momsen
(c) removing amps, respacing dancers
(d) final crop and adjustments
The poster was on a five-day timeline: Sunday night, directive received; Friday afternoon, ticket sales and announcements live online.
(a) original photo: Manny Pandya, 2023
The first objective was to simplify the original: remove distractions and artifacts that make this look like a performance. Since this was for digital screens, experience has taught to start with a taller image; so, Photoshop helped fake that height (b). The dancers’ bodies were only edited for blemishes, stray hairs, and costume adjustments. Physically retouching dancers’ bodies is unnecessary and harmful; plus, it would directly challenge the company’s mission statment.
However, it is very ethical to edit a formation: at the middle, dancers were moved to create symmetry (c). Now, fists were aligned and very pleasing triangle-keyholes appeared where legs crossed; creating a series of subliminal ‘V’ logos. (d) Painterly, golden-hour highlights and shadows support a mood of optimism and defiance. A small mass of people with arms outstretched. There was an obvious parallel:
The photographer’s low perspective amplified the powerful gesture. The non-uniformity of the dancers’ bodies leant graphic traces of egalitarianism. After all, this was The Vaudettes’ “recruitment” poster for fans, friends, and new followers to come dance. It needed to feel tangible and slightly vintage—as if plastered on the walls of social media.
The typography was a nod to Bauhaus—its strong lettering to overlay the dancers without overshadowing them (e). Experimenting with the layers led to subtly letting a dancer’s arm escape its “cage”to create some harmony (f).
(b) adding height, removing the background, grading
The design felt complete when the paper texture felt grainy and reflective (h). At the last-minute, HWT Lustig’s ‘V’ glyph was adjusted to suit the owner’s liking. Once this letter was settled upon, the image was readied for a screen-sized Instagram story, a smaller post, and a miscellaneous 1:1 block to add to buttons on the company website.
AND SO IT WENT, the workshop was a tremendous success! Tickets sold-out well in advance, the owner was happy that they could fully fund the rental space well in advance, and the session was full of wonderful, diverse bodies who saw a digital “dance propaganda” poster and answered the call.
Merch
Since 2021, merchandise has been printed in-house. This humongous cost-saving measure offers control over quality, inventory, and customer satisfaction.
2025
The year in poster-design: A rewind of announcements on Vaudettes social media—the epicenter of their engagement.
2024
2023
2022
