Show & Tell: Nanako Hawley of ‘X Burlesque’

“X Burlesque”

Hometown: San Diego

Age: 23

Pronounced “NAHN-ah-ko.” … Born in Sasebo, Japan, but considers San Diego home. … Started dancing at age 10 but didn’t think of it as a potential career. … Graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a degree in cognitive science and neuroscience. … Attended “X Burlesque University” on vacation during her senior year (“I still have the certificate”) and decided she wanted to be in the show. … Auditioned before senior year was over and joined the show last summer. … May someday return to college for doctorate and works in the meantime at children’s post-traumatic stress disorder lab at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

On people’s surprise when they learn
about her degree:

“A lot of people ask, ‘Oh, you studied neuroscience? Can you read my mind?’ Uh, no (laughs). How do you even get to that question?”