Life & Work with May Hemmer

Today, we’d like to introduce you to May Hemmer.

May, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I truly don’t know where to start. I grew up sewing (since I was 5), playing music in band/orchestra, dancing, and sports. Of course, with a family that strives for professional excellence, I decided to attend university to study finance. However, as time went on and I went on into my professional banking career, I felt unfulfilled.

As a former dancer, I wanted to hit the stage again. That’s when I discovered a burlesque school in my home of New Orleans and thus began my journey. I figured I could use my former costuming/cosplaying sewing skills and make my own costumes. Well… it has been a great 13 years of performing. As my sons were getting over, I felt it was time to move on and make a career change.

It’s a hard road, but I am fully invested in character work. Though I have mostly retired from burlesque (so I perform here and there), I have grown to slowly step into my new chapter of acting, improv, and costuming.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road. When I was young and wanted to do character work at a local Renaissance festival, I was told that black folx could not be anything but a working class. Of course, as an 18-year-old, this broke me. Dealing with racism is something that has been a factor in my work in the entertainment and arts community.

When it came to burlesque, it too was hard. Diversity is still something that needs to be pushed more and more, though it has come a long way since I began. I feel that in this century, this shouldn’t be something that is a constant. Is it? Yes. I’m continuing to push to be a figure in the community so that kids who look like me can see that things are possible.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My first profession in the arts in my adult years was burlesque. I had made my student showcase debut and was immediately booked for a performance.

I was in shock as well as nervous. What was I supposed to do? What was my act? That’s when I went to my roots: nerdy costuming. So, my very first professional act was a Hello Kitty number; we won’t talk of the dark times, but I have definitely grown since then. This track of mine taught me how to further my stage management skills, organization, production standards, and too many other things to list.

My next (and most current) profession is character work. This has been a dream of mine since I was a child. I have always had a love of all things historical, vintage, and antique. I never delved into it until my late 20s due to being told, “black people can’t [insert thing here].” Somewhere around 28, I said screw it and began my foray into historical mashups and grabs. Not only did I find the fulfillment I’ve been seeking, it has increasingly improved my sewing skills.

In burlesque, I was known as “The Cocoa Barbie”: a black burlesque dancer who chose her own path. It was a long road, but I felt as if I had achieved a lot of what I wanted to. But now? I’m on cast at the Carolina Renaissance Festival, The Viking Experience, and Fae Queen at Festival of Legends. This is what I’m most proud of. Though burlesque was a chapter of my life I would never forget, I feel that I’ve reached the goals at 12 years old I would be proud of.

What sets me apart? I believe I would say my tenacity, my strong will, my honesty, and my pursuit to set an example for other POC children. I never had that representation growing up, and I feel that it’s my way of giving back. Now that I’m pushing closer and closer to 40, I want to continue this strive to not only set this vision out for other POC children but for my children as well.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Don’t be afraid and do the thing.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mayhemmer.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themayhemmer/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/may.hemmer

Image Credits
Dany Lofgren, Gabby Q., and Libby McGowen Photography