You Booked It Podcast - EP 4: Elyse Renee – Vegas Showgirl, Dancer, Model
EP 4: Elyse Renee
Episode Transcript (autogenerated)
Dane: [00:00:00] You booked it, episode four, Hey, entertainers and performers of the world. I’m your host, Dane, Reis, and welcome to you. Booked it. Where I chat with inspiring entertainers, seven days a week by digging into their journey. We’re going to discover everything you need to do to be a successful entertainer, you know?
[00:00:25] Cause. Training, usually skipped that part about how to actually make your skills work for you in the real world. Fellow entertainers, my drive here at you booked it is to share the inspiring and incredible journeys of successful entertainers. We are here to support your journey. So go to youbookeditpodcast.com and join the, you booked it, email community, where we dig deep into truly actionable things you can be doing right now to help you book that next audition, submission or gig.
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[00:01:22] Let’s do this. All righty. Let’s get started. I am excited to introduce my guest today. Elise Renee, are you ready for this? Elise?
[00:01:34] Elyse: [00:01:34] Do it.
[00:01:35] Dane: [00:01:35] All right. Elise is a Los Vegas showgirl dancer and model. Since living in Las Vegas, she has had quite some success in the entertainment industry from runways and nightclubs to being featured in major production shows up and down the strip, looking to the future with hopes that Vegas will make an Epic comeback.
[00:01:57] She is focused on appreciating any opportunities that come her way onstage and awesome. Elise that is a quick intro of who you are and what you’ve done, but why don’t you tell us a little bit more about yourself? Fill in the gaps, who you are a little bit more about what you do as a professional in the entertainment industry.
[00:02:19] Elyse: [00:02:19] Okay. Well, as you heard, my name is Ella and I live in Las Vegas. I’ve been a working dancer and model here for about 11 years now, but originally I’m from Sydney, Australia. And, I’ve been dancing my whole life. I started when I was about three years old and when I was young, I was instantly addicted. I couldn’t get enough of it.
[00:02:43] I was dancing five nights a week doing competitions on weekends. And, I loved it so much that I knew that I wanted to make it my career. Now the people around me made it kind of clear that there wasn’t really an industry for that my hometown. So they kind of we’re like, well, if you really love it that much, he could be a dance teacher.
[00:03:07] And as a kid, I was like, Oh, I love my dance teacher. Sure. I could be a dance teacher. And then. As I got older, I was like, no, I want to perform. I want to be on stage. So I eventually got to talking to my dance teachers and they, they were like, okay, I get it. But if you want to take that step, you’re going to have to basically leave the country.
[00:03:33] Go overseas, maybe Mullen Rouge or cruise ships. And I was like, bingo, cruise ships. So, yeah, so I was like 16 at the time, I think. And I found an audition for carnival cruise line and I. Like, sorry guys, sir, parents, I’m going to go to this audition. And I went and, and I had so much fun. Went back to school, then no big deal.
[00:04:03] And then I got a call offering me a contract. No. I was like, yes, I’m going to cry school. I’m going to go live my ; . And then eventually I was like, so what do I do about, you know, getting permission from my parents? So I just, you know, sign and, Oh, wow. As a 16 year old. Yeah. Like, oops. Okay.
[00:04:26] Yeah. That’s not gonna work for us. So thanks sweetie. We have you on file. Yeah, exactly. That like come to the audition in like two years. Okay. And we’ll figure some view. So I was like, okay. Back to school. graduated from high school. Well, and then once I was 18 going back into the audition scene because I, I already had that little taste, like I was like, I can actually do this.
[00:04:52] And I was at, I was at an audition and, an agent contacted me from that and offered me my first contract, which was a show in Taiwan. So I did that at 18. Went to, I won. Pretty big jumped for me from a small town in Australia. And then, yeah, they got me in contact with carnival cruise lines again too, do cruise ships, which I did for two years.
[00:05:23] And after that I made my move to America and I’ve been here in Vegas for 11 years now. And I’ve been working consistently, ever since. So, mostly as a show girl. And a dancer Gogo or in shows or corporate events, and then some modeling on the side. We’re just a, a Jack, a Jill of all trades over here in Vegas.
[00:05:49] I feel like.
[00:05:50] Dane: [00:05:50] Yeah, for sure. Well, let’s move on to the next section here. Look, I am sucker for a good quote. What is it your favorite quote? You’d like to share with our listeners?
[00:06:04]Elyse: [00:06:04] I’m not so much a sucker for quotes, so I’m not sure of this technically qualifies. I’m not like this is a quote from so-and-so, but maybe it’s then attitude, which works for me and turn a problem into an opportunity.
[00:06:22] I
[00:06:22] love that. And can you expand on that a little bit about how that it was applied in your daily life and your career?
[00:06:28] Oh yeah, sure. I mean, I feel like this, this kind of attitude has been super helpful in my career as entertainers. We work in a super competitive feel. And even when we get the job or sorry, when we’re booked, Oh, jobs are like, Contractual.
[00:06:47] So in six months there’ll be another audition. We’ve have people coming into town who are just as hungry or possibly even more talented or sorry. On the other hand, if you didn’t get booked, then you have like another six months to work on what was holding you back for the next audition. So sometimes I would get the show on the first time or something.
[00:07:10] Sometimes I had to come back for a second, you know, third tries. And so. In this kind of lifestyle, I feel like it’s always, you’re trying to stay positive to grow, but be prepared for changes and challenges to be flexible and adaptable. Because even if you have something, the situation can change and you have to be prepared to work with that change to make it something that works for you.
[00:07:38] Or if you get denied, then you have to figure out how to grow, how to improve. To make yourself right. For that position or something else that will come along.
[00:07:50] Dane: [00:07:50] Absolutely. I love that. And let’s get into this next section now. Elisa you are, of course an entertainer. I’m an entertainer. And I think you’d agree.
[00:08:01] this entertainment industry is one of the most subjective, brutally, honest, personally emotional industries in existence. And you know, as well as I that to create and to have a successful career in this industry, like you’re having now, it takes a lot. Of dedication and hard work. And while of course, yeah, there is an outrageous amount of fun and excitement being in his corporate events, being on stage as that entertainer, there are also are fair share of obstacles and challenges, failures.
[00:08:35] We are going to experience and we’re going to have to move forward through. So tell us what is one key challenge, obstacle or failure you’ve experienced in your career and how did you come out the other side better because of it.
[00:08:49]Elyse: [00:08:49] that’s a good one to think about. And I, I feel like I have kind of and major make it or break it moment for me and my, my personal career.
[00:08:59] And, that was the closing of the show Jubilee. Now, do you believe was the quintessential show girl show? It had been open for almost 35 years. It had a cast of 80 people with. Some of the most extravagant costumes and set you would ever seen was like the epitome of fabulous Las Vegas and aye, adore being in the show.
[00:09:23] Okay. Been there for about six years. When we were told that the show was going to close and I was completely shocked. I was like, I’m going to be in this show forever. Easy peasy. I’m I’m home. This is my, the cost was family. I’d been there for so long. Actually. You had been there too. So you’re part of that Jubilee family as well.
[00:09:52] Yeah. Okay. So yeah, when we were, were told that the show is going to close forever, I was crushed. I was devastated and we all were, it was like such a part of Vegas history. And so, when the meeting where we were told ended, I, I called my husband and I was sobbing and I was so upset and I was scared that my career was over.
[00:10:18] And, By the time I got home, he had set up my computer at the desk and he was like, okay, I know you’re upset, but get to work, work on your, your resume, updated, get a list of all the agencies you’ve ever worked for or agencies you haven’t worked for yet. Reach out to everyone. Do it, email blast. Let’s get some new headshots.
[00:10:42] Like I just needed someone to snap me into that. Work mode and changed my mindset and it was the best thing he could have done for me because while I enjoyed the rest of my time, closing out Jubilee, and I say that every memory I could make for that, that last chunk of time, I was ready to go directly, back out into the workforce and the gig life.
[00:11:12] And with scary. But looking back, it was the best thing that could happen. That happened to me because I was ready to stay in Jubilee for the rest of my career. And now looking back, do you believe it was just a small portion of it? It was just the beginning. I’ve, I’ve grown and accomplished so much because that show closed and it’s so sad that it’s gone.
[00:11:39] Of course, but I needed that push. To get out there and do bigger and better things for myself.
[00:11:49] Dane: [00:11:49] For sure. And yeah, absolutely. It is so difficult to go from know I’ve got my, my contract gig. I’m no exactly what I’m doing every single day by schedule the income, the everything, and then switching that mindset.
[00:12:05] It’s a completely different mindset. Isn’t it? To go into the gig life and to go into the freelance life and to take that
[00:12:12] Elyse: [00:12:12] on like that security net is gone. And it was just like a wake up call that nothing lasts forever. And even when you have something it can change or be taken away and you have to be able to adapt.
[00:12:26] Dane: [00:12:26] Absolutely. Especially in a market like Vegas, where I tend to come and go pretty quick, because it’s such an expensive city too, to produce anything.
[00:12:36] Absolutely. All right.
[00:12:37] Well, let’s move on. To this section and to a time that I like to call your spotlight moment, that one moment in time you realized, yes, I am going to be an entertainer for living or maybe it was, yes.
[00:12:56] This is what I need to be doing as an entertainer. Tell us about
[00:13:00] Elyse: [00:13:00] that deep down. I think I’ve always known. That I, I needed to be an entertainer that I wanted to okay. Getting my first contracts in Taiwan and on cruise ships for big steps for me, because they got me out of the country and they got that taste of the spotlight.
[00:13:22] But. When I told my agent that I was moving to America to work in Las Vegas, she literally laughed at me. She was like, I know other girls who have tried and it’s really hard and never works out. They always come back. So, I, I knew I had that, that, that just put that extra pressure on me, that Vegas had to work
[00:13:46] And so when I got to Vegas and I got my contract, At Jubilee and I was in rehearsal. I remember the moment. So clearly we were on stage on the sets for the first time, you know, opening positions, working out some blocking. And I just took a moment to like envision what it would be like when the curtain first came up on my opening night, what the crowd would feel like that huge audience.
[00:14:15] Being in those gorgeous costumes. And I just, I still have that memory of not necessarily the actual opening night, but in rehearsal thinking that I’d actually made it two, a real show in America and I had done it and I knew that I just needed to do everything I could to hold onto it for as long as I could.
[00:14:40] Dane: [00:14:40] I love that story and you’re right. The way that show kicked off was so good.
[00:14:47] Elyse: [00:14:47] I still miss it so much.
[00:14:50] Dane: [00:14:50] Yeah. It’s a really a shame that that is no longer with us. Okay. Well, let’s piggyback on that question and let’s talk about your number one, booked it moment. Walk us through that day, the auditions and call backs.
[00:15:05] If that happened to be part of it, what was going on in your life? And what about that moment? Makes it your favorite? Book.
[00:15:14] Elyse: [00:15:14] Okay. Well, I think that every booked it moment is so, so sweet, but the sweetest for me is probably the one that was the hardest. Nah, he was zombie burlesque and. Musk is a show like no other it’s, I guess, comedy, musical Kirky storyline, and even a little bit of heart.
[00:15:43] It’s difficult to describe, I guess I would just recommend people go see it. When life comes back to normal. But, anyway, so first time I saw it, yes. Fell in love with it. It’s just such a fun show, but the cost is small and the roles are very specific. And I knew that I would be right for one specific track, the toll girl role, and there were no openings for them.
[00:16:13] That specific spot. So every time I would go to the audition, I would make it to the final cut. I would come back the next day for the callbacks. And so I knew I was so close, but I had to keep going back and back and back until find them. They called me to a private audition. One time. It was just myself and one other dancer.
[00:16:35] I gave it everything I had in the end, they ended up hiring both of us, the other goal for the Adagio track and myself for the track that I always wanted, even though they technically didn’t need anyone for that. I was just like a backup backup, and I worked my booty off. Once I got the bug. For three years.
[00:17:00] And I, I still love the show every second that I get to do it. And that perseverance was so totally worth it. I
[00:17:09] Dane: [00:17:09] love that. And let’s take a moment to talk about the present. What projects are you working on now? What are you looking forward to? And of course we are amidst this global pandemic. How do you see the entertainment industry moving forward in the next couple of years?
[00:17:28] Elyse: [00:17:28] Well, I guess right now, what I’m working on is just trying to work out. I’m, I’m looking forward to the city coming back. I feel like it’s gonna take a while. Hoping that most shows will, will make a comeback when the time is right. And little syringe for the survival of corporate events and nightclubs things that rely so heavily on lodge gatherings.
[00:17:51] You know, it’s going to be interesting to see how. Okay. We, the work around or how long it takes to get back to a place where Vegas can thrive. Like it was okay. But when we are back, you know, I’ll be back in the shows and hopefully doing gigs, but I really want to pour some focus into my very good friend’s company, city cats, which is run by Rebecca to codray.
[00:18:19] Okay. It’s a. Highly developed all female cost of dances thing is musicians. They’re mostly focused on corporate events, but we do full, full blown production shows as well. So I really hope that throughout this pandemic, maybe there’s some like opening to like grab some good gigs and make a name for themselves.
[00:18:42] So that’s kind of what I’m rooting for coming out of this.
[00:18:46] Dane: [00:18:46] Fantastic. It is time to move on to one of my favorite sections in the interview. I call it the grease lightning round. I’m going to ask you a handful of questions and I want you to answer them as quickly and concisely as possible one after another, or
[00:19:03] you ready?
[00:19:05] Let’s do it. All
[00:19:06] right. First question. What was the one thing holding you back from committing to a career as an entertainer?
[00:19:13] Elyse: [00:19:13] I would say location or limited work in my hometown.
[00:19:17] Dane: [00:19:17] Of course. And second question. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received
[00:19:25] Elyse: [00:19:25] when entering a new cost? Especially when that already exists.
[00:19:29] Keep your mouth shut and your ears open.
[00:19:32] Dane: [00:19:32] Oh, such sound advice. So you only learn that the hard way, you know? Yeah. Third question. What is something that is working for you now? Yeah, if you’d like to go pre COVID, what was working for you before our industry went on pause.
[00:19:52] Okay. I think it’s important to have a positive attitude to be go with the.
[00:20:00] Easygoing.
[00:20:02] Absolutely. And the fourth question, what is the best resource? Whether that is a book, a movie, a YouTube video, a podcast, maybe a piece of technology that you found is helping your career right now.
[00:20:18] Elyse: [00:20:18] Right now I have to say, Instagram, but maybe in a little bit of time, it’ll be this new podcast.
[00:20:25] I think it’s a, something that booking it.
[00:20:30] Dane: [00:20:30] We can only hope.
[00:20:32] Elyse: [00:20:32] Okay,
[00:20:33] Dane: [00:20:33] great. And how do you use Instagram?
[00:20:36] Elyse: [00:20:36] Aye. It sounds that it’s helpful to let the industry know that you’re, you’re busy. Hmm, you’re fine. You’re good. If that makes sense, like, it’s just like
[00:20:52] Dane: [00:20:52] you’re using your Instagram as kind of a running resume.
[00:20:56] Elyse: [00:20:56] Yes. It’s just a constant update of my work. My career.
[00:21:03] Dane: [00:21:03] For sure. And the fifth question, if you had to start your career from scratch, but you still had all the knowledge and experience you’ve collected from your career in this industry, what would you do or not do? Would you do anything differently or would you keep it the same?
[00:21:22] Elyse: [00:21:22] I think I would keep it the same. I’m so happy with the way everything is turned out in the place that I’ve gotten to. And while things were challenging, I think it’s just all worked out for the best. Love it.
[00:21:36] Dane: [00:21:36] And the last question, what is the golden nugget knowledge drop you’ve learned from your successful career in the industry that you’d like to leave with everybody?
[00:21:46]
[00:21:46] Elyse: [00:21:46] I would say work hard, but have fun. And just make your dance captain slash supervises life easy. Wait, just do what you’re telling me.
[00:21:58] Dane: [00:21:58] Okay. Fantastic advice. And to wrap this interview up, it is time to give yourself a plug. Where can we find you? How do our listeners connect with you? Is there anything you want to promote?
[00:22:12] Elyse: [00:22:12] Okay. So when into the chain of life returns, you can find me at Vegas to show in zombie burlesque, I’ll be back at Maki nightclub at the cosmopolitan, and I’ll be working with city cats for any upcoming projects they have. But for now you can find me on Instagram, at least Renee underscore Vegas.
[00:22:31] Dane: [00:22:31] Fantastic. Elise, thank you so much for joining me today. It has been a pleasure to have you on
[00:22:38] Elyse: [00:22:38] I’ve had a lot of fun. Thanks for having meetings. Okay.
[00:22:42] Dane: [00:22:42] Thank you so much for joining us today. My one call to action for you is to go to youbookeditpodcast.com and join our free email community. Where we dig deep into a continually growing resource of truly actionable things you can be doing right now to help you advance your entertainment career.
[00:23:03] Don’t miss an episode. We have a new guest, seven days a week search for you, booked it on Apple podcast or your favorite podcast app and subscribe today. All the best to you. We’ll see you tomorrow.