The story begins in 2013 on Atlanta’s west side, where a space known as Studio Burlesque was home to early instructors like Ursula Undress, Lola LeSoleil, and Talloolah Love. It was there that Roula Roulette, then a student and neighbor, began her burlesque journey. The studio’s first graduating class included Roula alongside A to Z, Nina Charise, Greta Von Danse, and Rena Rhinestone. Roula was soon brought on to teach Burlesque Fundamentals. Later that year, Ursula Undress purchased the studio from its original owner and rebranded it as The Atlanta School of Burlesque—complete with a new vision and a hand-drawn logo designed by Ursula herself.

From this growing community emerged The Candybox Revue, an award-winning burlesque troupe founded in 2014. For several years, the school and troupe operated without a permanent home, teaching and rehearsing in various locations across the West Side, Decatur, and Avondale Estates. However, the need for a dedicated space to support cohesive programming, rehearsals, and community-building was clear.

In 2016, that vision became reality when a private investor purchased a historic 110+ year-old building in East Atlanta Village. The school moved into the space and officially opened Metropolitan Studios Arts & Movement Community—also known as Atlanta’s Burlesque & Cabaret House.

Today, The Atlanta School of Burlesque offers a robust schedule of drop-in adult dance classes, ranging from Burlesque Basics to advanced movement styles like Liquid Motion. These classes are open to all adults, regardless of experience. For those seeking a more structured pathway, the Atlanta Burlesque Academy provides a multi-week program designed to prepare students for the stage. Through progressive training, students develop skills in burlesque movement, musicality, stage presence, costume construction, and act development. The program culminates in a live showcase where graduates perform solo acts for the first time.

With over a decade of history and impact, The Atlanta School of Burlesque continues to offer inclusive, high-quality education and performance opportunities, all rooted in a legacy of creativity, resilience, and empowerment.