#columbusburlesque

One of the most intriguing aspects of this entire thing is the involvement of the supposed Columbus Burlesque Collective. I find it fascinating by the “definition” which is provided on the front of their FB page because their philosophy is contradictory to how they behaved towards Natalie.  This post about the Columbus Collective will be a series in different parts because there is a lot to cover in detail. This first post is just a general scenario as to what happened within the group and why Natalie was removed.

The Columbus Collective was initially created by Miss Theresa and Lady Monster with this ideology who later attacked Natalie but overall here is their “mission statement” or definition

From how it was explained to me by my source the Columbus Collective was intended to be a group of burlesque performers in order to create a positive and supportive atmosphere for others in the city. The idea is that there is no reported hierarchy (as in a burlesque troupe there is a designated “leader”), you are to take classes to “improve” your performances in burlesque in other words bettering yourself as a performer. The exact definition is here on their FB page:

I find this a contradictory statement considering the following: a) Members of the Collective created a fake google plus account called “BurlesqueTruthiness” with the sole purpose to harass performer Natalie Page.

In these comments (according to my source the comments were removed because they were reported) in which I am quite certain one of them is Madam Ofeelya Redd (whom I will discuss in another post) where they berate Natalie.

She posted that she “thought was better than other performers in the community” and a “prima ballerina”. She also personally attacked me on her FB page that post and comments were sent to me and I tell you I must have had the best laugh this year. I also felt badly for Natalie because of how they attacked her nonstop in the thread. I would be pretty upset if read those comments about me.

So the main question is why did the Collective suddenly turn on Natalie Page? The root of it goes back to one of the rats Madam Ofeelya Redd. Now, she should win an Oscar not because she is talented (she isn’t trust me, I’ve seen better) but how she manage to manipulate and cause so much drama.

I am a burlesque performer from out of state. When I first moved to Columbus I actually heard stories about different troupes and why to avoid them. I was told even by my source that Madam Ofeelya Redd was kicked out of a couple troupes because she caused drama. I now understand this concept and why, she is passive and very manipulative.

I digress so back to the story why Natalie and the Columbus Collective had a “falling out”. It actually wasn’t one. According to my source, Natalie was planning to return to school and felt performing/producing shows would be too much for her school load. Kudos to her! I personally don’t think it is a bad thing for someone wanting to finish school and better him/herself that should be commended.

But according to my source the issues went way back before then too. So When I spoke with my source she stated that there were issues with Bianca Coal who was also in the Columbus Collective at the time, she is “best friends” with another performer. Now I was also warned to stay away from this other performer  because she is drama as well and also has been the blame for breaking up another girl’s romantic relationship in the past. People know where this storyline is going. Well back to my source she states this performer  and Madam Ofeelya Redd tried to break up a romantic relationship of Natalie which is another reason she wanted to back away from the Columbus Collective.

In other words...someone in the Columbus Collective was sending inappropriate messages behind Natalie’s back, when she found out she (Natalie) thought it would be best to eventually back away altogether from that group.

My source also stated this: “One of the main issues with the Columbus Burlesque Collective is that if you are ‘negative’ towards another member or tell another person to stop talking to someone else in the group you will be spoken to and/or removed. Along with this passwords to the secret group and gmail address will be changed to prevent further access”.

That ladies and gentlemen is the main reason Natalie was “removed” from the Columbus Collective. I personally think Madam Ofeelya Redd was trying to cover herself and the fact she was causing drama with Natalie and to make Natalie look poorly in the burlesque community.

Before Natalie was removed from the Columbus Collective group according to my source they had a meeting and despite what the meeting seemed to be it was really to remove Natalie from the Collective without her knowing. In other words, she was removed because the other performer who was sending messages to her rejected her. They took that as Natalie made that person to stop speaking with me so let’s remove her.

Basically, Natalie was removed from the group without anyone speaking to her and from what my source told me Natalie hadn’t heard from anyone for weeks and Madam Ofeelya Redd message her and began harassing her about stealing items from the Columbus Collective.

According the Columbus Collective which was posted on Google plus Natalie supposedly “stole” items from them. Now let’s investigate these so called “items”:

A clipboard, laundry basket and a handmade tip bucket. This is all what my source disclosed to me. Now, if anyone else is thinking so much drama over those few items? Yes, it is childish folks. So let me summarize:

Natalie was planning to leave the Columbus Collective from the very beginning because of school and a personal issue.

Madam Ofeelya Redd and another performer started the “drama” because they were going to be called out for trying to break her relationship.

Natalie didn’t steal any items from the Columbus Collective. I mean it is kind of like a break up where you’re upset with the person for supposedly keeping random and unimportant items from the relationship. I mean a clipboard?!? You can purchase one of those from a discount store it is ridiculous.

A performer from the Columbus Collective was being inappropriate to her romantic partner, she took that rejection personally towards Natalie to remove her from the group. Her along with Madam Ofeelya Redd took that as spreading lies and rumors to cover themselves.