Last month, I had the powerful experience of photographing Femimen Rage, a pole dance showcase hosted by Pole Dance Collective (PDC) here in Kansas City. The energy in that room was electric. Performer after performer took the stage, reclaiming movement, sensuality, and self-expression—not for the male gaze, but for themselves. It was more than a performance; it was a political statement against patriarchal norms. Through choreography, embodiment, and vulnerability, Femimen Rage reminded us that pole dance can be personal activism—a bold, unapologetic declaration of self.
Being behind the lens for that showcase left me feeling inspired and curious, so this week, I signed up for my first pole class at PDC. From the moment I walked into the studio, I felt like I belonged. I wasn’t the only one rocking unshaved underarms. There was no pressure to look or move a certain way. It didn’t matter what body I was in or how femme I appeared—this space was for everyone. I was free to be a beginner, to explore, and to learn.
By the end of the class, I walked out feeling strong, joyful, and completely empowered. It’s clear that Pole Dance Collective isn’t just teaching movement—they’re creating a radical self-love and empowerment community. And based on the magic of Femimen Rage, I know there are even more transformative showcases to come.
Curious about what makes PDC such a special place for pole dance in Kansas City? I sat down with owner, Julia Nagy, for a behind-the-scenes look at how they’re showcasing the power of pole dance—through empowerment, self-expression, and inclusive connection.
What makes your pole dance studio unique in Kansas City, and how does it foster empowerment?
We’re a pretty small, intimate space, and as a result we can offer a lot of 1 on 1 time to students. We love keeping our class sizes smaller (6-8 for pole classes) to foster community connection and give as much attention to each student as possible. We’re there to cheer on each other’s progress, and help students develop their own pole journey—whether they want to be more flowy and dancey or chase after the advanced tricks.
How does pole dance help build confidence and self-love in your students?
Pole is an incredibly unique and vulnerable dance form. I think it pushes people out of their comfort zone. The more you step outside of your comfort zone, the more confidence you build. You find that maybe the new things weren’t as scary as you thought. We’re a studio that truly believes in “progress, not perfection” and finding your unique dance style.
What are some common misconceptions people have about pole dance, and how do you address them?
Stripping is often associated with pole dance, and rightfully so. Much of what is taught in pole dance studios originated in strip clubs. That’s where a lot of the base tricks we all learn came from. Sex work is work, and we fully support those pole roots.
As a result, I think people often think of pole as *just* sexy. But pole is so many things, and we try to embrace that at the studio. We love embracing our sexy, sultry sides, our emotive, graceful sides, our gymnastics, beast-mode sides, our raunchy, empowered sides, and everything and anything in-between.
Ultimately, pole is about expression and empowerment. There is nothing more powerful than a person fully in touch with themselves.
What was the Femimen Rage showcase about? Do you plan on doing more?
Femimen Rage was primarily centered on the experiences of women, but at the root was about rebelling against societal expectations. The name was a play on “feminine rage” and a bit of a tongue and cheek response to conservative views of gender. We donated all the proceeds from the show to the ACLU.
We absolutely plan on doing more showcases in the future, and I would love to donate to more organizations who are making a difference.
What advice would you give to someone who is nervous about trying pole dance for the first time?
We all start somewhere, and generally the first step is the scariest. Sometimes you’ve just got to go for it and just see where it leads. Worst case scenario: you find out pole dancing is not for you. Best case scenario: you find a hobby that completely changes your life. Or maybe you find something in-between 😉
Do you offer classes specifically for beginners or people focused on fitness and flexibility?
We love introducing people to pole! Our Pole Tricks 1 (learning tricks and spins) and Beginner Pole Choreography (learn a full dance routine) classes are excellent places to start your pole journey. We also offer plenty of all-levels classes as well, including Floorwork (floor moves only), Mobility & Conditioning (general fitness to prepare and get better at pole), Bendy Babes (flexibility), and we have a Friday class that rotates every month. Our Friday classes so far this year have included lap dancing, chair dancing, and a theatrical, comedy pole routine.
What styles of pole dance do you teach, and how do they align with different goals like fitness, fun, or self-expression?
We teach nearly all styles of pole. Our choreography classes switch up routines every month to keep things fresh and introduce new styles to the students. So one month might be a sultry routine and the next month might be an emotive spin pole routine and the month after might learn into an aggressive heels hard-style.
How does pole dance help women reconnect with their sensuality and feel empowered in their bodies?
For a long time, women have been told their worth lies in how they look. The pole doesn’t care how you look. You looking one way or another doesn’t affect your ability to do a pole trick. But your strength does, and that’s what I love about pole.
How do you see pole dance intersecting with empowerment and boudoir photography?
Pole says: it’s okay to be sexy. It’s okay to be strong. It’s okay to love yourself and your body.
Boudoir photography says: it’s okay to document and celebrate it.
To me, both pole dance and boudoir are about agency. About witnessing yourself and claiming your power—on your terms.
Whether you’re looking for a new workout, a path toward self-love, or a space to explore your creative expression, Pole Dance Collective offers some of the most inclusive and empowering pole dance classes in Kansas City. It’s not just about movement—it’s about freedom.
Ready to try it out?
👉 Follow Pole Dance Collective on Instagram for behind-the-scenes studio vibes, upcoming classes, and showcase updates.
👉 Visit their website to check out class options, book your first session, or see what’s coming next in Kansas City’s pole community.
Let’s keep dancing, expressing, and reclaiming our power—one spin at a time. 💫
