About So You Think You Can Lap Dance?
A little history
So You Think You Can Lap Dance was created by Pearl Marill in 2015 and made its debut at Pianofight on April 15th in San Francisco's Tenderloin district. Born from her love of postmodern dance, improvisation, and comedy, Marill wanted to create a show that allowed space for all these ingredients, with an emphasis on risk-taking and fun. From its inception, Marill and the performers selected for the show pride themselves on creating a space that is inclusive. Using a title that parodies the mainstream popular dance TV show, SYTYCLD subverts common expectations on what a lap dance is, turning the performance space into a multilayered collaboration between audience and performers.
The quick blurb
6 dancers. 3 judges. 1 host. You. So You Think You Can Lap Dance? is a show that fuses modern dance and improvisation on your lap to result in comedy. With audience volunteers and songs suggested on the spot, SYTYCLD has become a popular destination for viewers interested in seeing bizarre, hilarious, queer, and beautiful improvisations on the laps of strangers.
*WARNING: generic lap dances should not be expected. This show is an exploration of the many shapes a "lap dance" can take, and how this improvised act can create a fully present embodied performance between giver and receiver. In other words, it's weird, creative, and fun as fuck, with performers with some serious chops.
It is important to state that this show in no way means to gloss over the fact that lap dances can be a means of survival for some. We acknowledge this and this show concept means no disrespect to this kind of work. Rather, we are curious how we can use and break open this format to examine pleasure and gift giving through varied creative performance mediums.
Will i have to participate if i go to a show?
No! We understand audience participation can be a dreaded thing for people. This show is volunteer only. You can receive a dance if you want to, yell out suggestions when asked, or just simply enjoy watching.
About Us
The Creator
Pearl Marill is an award winning performer, choreographer, and writer. You can see her work in theaters, comedy venues, dance clubs, on film and in television. Pearl's work often revolves around the intersection of dance and comedy.
the host
Drag persona and "failed actress" Martha T. Lipton (Evan Johnson) has hosted every SYTYCLD show since its inception. Evan is an award winning performer, playwright and teacher based in San Francisco.
The Cast
Every show has new performers and judges. Performers are contortionists, contemporary and ballet dancers, improvisers, comedians, drag queens, performance artists, and occasionally a random audience member. Judges include theater owners, company CEO's, local art and non-profit rockstars, entrepreneurs, and other artists.