As Can Can celebrates two decades of spectacle, sweat, sequins, and standing ovations, we’re turning the lens on two artists who’ve helped define how that magic lives on: photographers Nate Watters and Bruce Dugdale. From backstage candids to full-scale fashion fantasy, their images have captured not just our shows, but our spirit. Together, they’ve built a visual legacy that’s as bold, intimate, and unforgettable as Can Can itself.

Read on as we dive into the dazzling world behind the lens, showcasing their most iconic shots and the moments that immortalized Can Can’s wildest, most electrifying performances.

Pony Ballard, 2010, Photos by Bruce Dugdale

We did this shoot in a parking lot in Ballard. We threw up a backdrop and brought some battery strobes—completely makeshift. Everyone was in full body paint, and Chris had this giant purple wig. He started jumping around, yelling, totally in character, and I just kept clicking. Those shots of him mid-air are still some of my favorites.

Halloween Fred Shoot, 2011, Photos by Bruce Dugdale

Bruce Dugdale: We were supposed to shoot in this Halloween set that someone had built—it had these little cartoon bats hanging from the ceiling. I looked at it and said, ‘This sucks.’ So we grabbed everything and walked over to the garage next door. The team totally transformed the space—Johnny, Rainbow, everyone—and it ended up being way better than anything we planned.

Rocky Finished, 2007, Photos by Bruce Dugdale

Bruce Dugdale: I shot this in an old house up on Capitol Hill—we were going for a Rocky Horror vibe. Chris wore a red vest, and the lighting setup was no joke. I’d never been in the house before, so I had to pick a room on the spot and just make it work. The performers posed themselves; I didn’t need to give much direction. They knew exactly what to do.

Can Can at The Triple Door, 2007, Photos by Bruce Dugdale

Bruce Dugdale: The lighting at The Triple Door made it a dream to shoot.. Plus, I had full access before and after the show, so I got to capture these candid moments that most people never see—like performers stretching in the wings or reapplying glitter five minutes before curtain.

Nate Watters: I love the angles of their bodies in this one; it’s so dynamic. I love how Shadou has one leg coming up one way, and her hair is hanging down with the light hitting it beautifully. I put this photo in black and white because of the contrast with the background. I like the focus it puts on their bodies and all the shapes they create, while practically being on top of the audience.

Nate Watters: I love the simplicity of this shot of Jasmine. The way the light beams down on her, I think it evokes the feeling you get when you watch her on stage. She just has such a commanding, incredible stage presence. And her voice is amazing, to say the least. It’'s just her and the mic and the light on her, and that’s all you need.

Nate Watters: I’m always blown away by these pieces that Jonny builds for the show. This was January 2020, and again they have this way of making the stage, and their presence, feel huge. This photo looks like we’re in this massive theater, when, in fact, it’s our intimate Can Can stage. I also love the lighting on their bodies versus the background. It’s just amazing the way Jonny and Shadou fit their bodies into these spaces, and the proportions are so on point.

Nate Watters: Jasmine. Lasers. Haze. Plus Sasha and Shadou framing the whole thing. Just an iconic moment.

Nate Watters: I really loved the lighting in this show, which isn’t something I can take any credit for – Robbie Matos and Robert Aguilar worked very hard to dial that in and I get to reap the benefits of that hard work. The warm glow from behind Renee lighting up the catwalk, and the glassware just looks so cool while she’s bathed in cool blue light with hints of purple in the background. It looks like a calm moment in the show, probably right before something big and crazy happens. That sounds about right for a Can Can show.

House of Hearts, 2023, Photo by Nate Watters

Nate Watters: I love any moment where there’s a lot of movement and motion, and, obviously, I’m never short on opportunities to capture movement when I’m shooting a Can Can show. Sasha was so great in House of Hearts as the Queen’s cat, I could tell she was having such a good time in this role. I love this twirl of her dress and the sideways glance while she sings with the lights shining from behind – it’s such a fun combination of show elements all in one frame.

Nate Watters: It’s not a Can Can show without a Jonny and Shadou duet, and what’s better than having Jasmine right up there with them? I love that you can have two different things happening on stage at the same time, and it all comes together and fills the space perfectly. With Jasmine’s vocals and Jonny and Shadou’s chemistry, it’s a powerful shot. I also love all the little details like the glasses and the smoke above Jasmine.

Nate Watters: This was one of the earlier shows I shot for Can Can, it’s Jennifer Milani in June of 2018. I love how she’s arched all the way back, looking at me straight down into the lens. In the old space, I would be able to sit in this booth in the back and I could lean over the railing and put my camera dead center of the catwalk. It was so fun when a performer would run up right in front of me, and I could get shots like these. I leaned over the catwalk right at the perfect moment for this one. I love how both of her feet are on that railing, with her right heel practically hanging off. Everyone’s amazed, protectively holding their drinks. Nate laughs.

Nate Watters: This one is Shadou and Madison. Going back to the chemistry some of the performers had…man, these two have it. They’ve known each other a really long time, and you can really feel the connection they had on stage. They were always in sync. This photo really illustrates that the timing for them was always damn near perfect.

I like the way the audience is lit up – that always adds so much for me. You can see they’re all glued to what is happening in front of them.

Nate Watters: This one is just so visually pleasing. I love the pop of color with the white sheet, and I like how this photo sticks out from the bunch, in a way. That’s Jordan holding her up through the curtain. I like that, at first, you can’t even tell that’s what is happening here. It’s very strong and feminine.

Nate Watters: This is one of my favorite shots from Noir. The lighting in this show is just wonderful and the color separation between Johnny and Shadou here is great. Johnny is the focal point, but no one can ignore Shadou on the table bathed in that purple light. Adding to the layered element is all this haze coming in from all different directions, and the fact that Jasmine is back there behind Johnny singing as well - it all makes for a really dynamic scene when you see it live.

Nate Watters: So much of my job is capturing images of Can Can shows that can be used for marketing and press purposes, but I'm always shooting for myself, too. I always try to challenge myself to shoot images that can stand on their own without some of the other contextual things we're used to seeing on stage. I owe so much of my images to Robbie's lighting, and when I happen to be in just the right spot to capture a simple moment like this with just the right light, I feel pretty lucky.

Crimson and Clover, 2023, Photo by Nate Watters

Nate Watters: Jasmine has such an iconic presence in so many of the photos I have of her. That's just what she brings to the stage. This frame from Dolly seems like something we could have shot in the studio for promo or something, but the fact that it's on stage during a show just highlights that quality of hers, I think.

Nate Watters: This is another moment that feels like pure Can Can to me. I love seeing the smiles on audience members' faces during a show. I can't even count how many Can Can shows I've photographed, and every show still blows my mind. It just never gets old. Like, Shadou is just effortlessly hanging upside down from a 10 foot high ceiling and smiling - and she's doing it every single night. On top of that, she's making all of the wardrobe for every show. It's wild.

Carnival of Curiosities, 2025, Photo by Nate Watters

Nate Watters: Wow, ok this scene from the current show, Carnival of Curiosities is so fun. Looking through photos from past shows, I'm starting to realize just how great these two are together, and this moment with the piano just might be peak Travis and Sasha.

Nate Watters: Speaking of chemistry on stage - Shadou and Johnny are undeniable. Plus, Shadou is upside down again here, which I can't resist in a photo.

Can Can’s 20th Anniversary Celebration Show, Carnival of Curiosities, is now showing through June 8th.

Book Tickets

Lights, Camera, Can Can: The Most Memorable Photographs in 20 Years

Can Can’s 20th Anniversary Celebration Show, Carnival of Curiosities, is now showing through June 8th.

Writer’s Review: Carnival of Curiosities