Bette’s Burlesque & The Bard

Bette’s Burlesque first came to life in 2021 at The Bard Theatre in Louisville, Kentucky. With the encouragement and support of theatre owner Doug Schutte, what started as a vision for inclusive, body-positive burlesque quickly grew into a reality. Doug opened his doors and gave Bette’s a home stage, helping to nurture the troupe’s early growth and giving performers a safe space to shine. From those first productions, Bette’s Burlesque began building its reputation for bold, diverse, and unapologetically joyful entertainment.

Now, just as Doug supported us in our beginnings, it’s our turn to honor his generosity by giving back. Bette’s Burlesque exists today because Doug believed in us and gave us a home when we needed it most. To carry that legacy forward, we’re asking for your support. Every donation helps us continue creating inclusive, body-positive productions and ensures that we can keep providing opportunities for performers in our community. By giving, you’re not only supporting Bette’s Burlesque — you’re honoring Doug’s spirit of generosity and helping us pass it on.