take a closer look
Centerfold Lounge borders the business district of Parkersburg, West Virginia, and is neighbored by
a smattering of bars and residences. The club
is one of countless strip clubs found in any
given town or city. Their commonality
with other establishments is their offering of
objectionable adult entertainment.
But it is their remote location which distinguishes them from many other night clubs that offer a striptease. Once inside, the atmosphere echoes the small community that dwells outside of its doors.
At work, they heckle their customers and talk of bigger things. They have dreams of continuing their education or satisfying their wander lust by traveling across the country. But for the time being, they suit up and play the role of an entertainer, which has control over the male gaze. Revealed in this ongoing photo essay is the intimate part of these dancers which is not readily exposed.
Megan Stansbury, stage name Jodi, plays in the snow before going back on stage at Centerfold Lounge in Parkersburg, WV, where she has worked as an exotic dancer for 6 months. She has custody of her 17 month old son who is watched by her father when she dances.
Centerfold Lounge dancer Linda, stage name Rain (left), and Megan Stansbury (17) (right) twirl on stage for their own amusement as there are no customers in the establishment. For the past eight months business at the club has been slow, the dancers blame the recession.
Connie Smith will wear her street clothes halfway into the evening and with her transformation make an appearance on stage. Smith works the bar but will also dance a few times a week when nights are slow. She claims that she never completely strips while on stage, always leaving on her underwear.
Dancer Cameil puts on her shoes before going on stage. She has danced at Centerfold Lounge at various intervals for over a period of six years. At night she’s a stripper, but during the day she waitresses at an Olive Garden in Parkersburg, WV.
Megan Stansbury steps over her 17 month old son Isaac as she runs to get the phone. She is waiting for a call to pick up a male friend who she is wanting to run away with. Stansbury lives with her father who watches her son while she dances. He does not know about this male friend.
Centerfold Lounge dancer Cat, checks in with her boss, Connie Smith before leaving whith her husband following an eight hour shift at the lounge. Cat has been a stripper at the lounge for over 10 years. She explained that her husband is very overprotective and doesn’t condone what she does, but as he isn’t working, he tries to be tolerant of the manner in which she earns money.
Sabrina (11), hands Megan Stansbury a rose which she clenches in her teeth while holding her son, Isaac, before she readies herself for work as a stripper. Stansbury is living with Sabrina and her mother who also works as a stripper at Centerfold Lounge.
Dancer Alley Vaughn takes a smoking break in her car where she can listen to music she selects.
Dancer Alley Vaughn holds tight to a customer named Chaz from Marietta, Ohio. The establishment requires that the dancers are to pay for the songs that they dance to. Dancers will often hustle one dollar from their customers to play three songs from the jukebox.
Four dancers and the only two customers in the bar have a drink - on the customers. The dancers gravitate to each other for company throughout the evening though they might have a handful of customers.
Dancer Deidra Schnyder walks outside for a cigarette break. Schnyder does not like to see her face in photographs. She claims that only a handful of pictures where she is in plain view exist.