Stevi Costa, PhD

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Under my stage name, Sailor St. Claire, I have spent the past fifteen years mixing the serious and the salacious as a solo burlesque artist and emcee.

As the co-founder and co-artistic director of Noveltease Theatre, I am passionate about reviving the historical artform of literary burlesque for contemporary audiences. When burlesque came to America in the 1880s, it referred to full-length plays presented by all-female acting troupes that were adapted from classical literature and drama, which provided a framework through which these ladies (many performing in drag) could satirize the world in which they lived and worked. Noveltease draws on this format, adapting classic works of literature for the stage with contemporary dance and burlesque striptease as driving narrative forces. 

In my work with Noveltease, I wear many hats: actor, adapter, director, producer, and, sometimes, costume designer.  See below for some of my recent credits!

ACTING

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Adventure! The Marvelous Tales of the Baron Munchausen (Noveltease Theatre, 2019). Photo by Meneldor Photography.
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Northanger Abbey (Noveltease Theatre, 2019). Photo by POC Photo.
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The Tennessee Tease (2015). Photo by Meneldor Photography.
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A Metamodern Prometheus (Noveltease Theatre, 2023). Photo by Colin Madison Photography.

DIRECTING

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The Tennessee Tease (2015). Photo by Meneldor Photography.
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The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (Noveltease Theatre, 2022). Photo by Bruce Clayton Tom.

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The Tennessee Tease (2018). Photo by Max Shaw Photos.
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The Canterbury Tales (Noveltease Theatre, 2021 - hybrid environmental and streaming production). 

COSTUME DESIGN

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The Count of Monte Cristo (Noveltease Theatre, 2023). Photo by Colin Madison Photography.
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Sleeping Beauty and the Bear Prince (Noveltease Theatre, 2024). Photo by Colin Madison Photography.
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