The Competition World: A Positive or Negative Experience?

 In Dellos

As a community dance studio who has participated in dance competitions for over the past 30 years, I believe that there are more positives than negatives gained from the competition stage experience. Back in the early 80’s when my daughter Dove was one of my youngest competitors, dance competitions brought local dance studio owners under the same roof to showcase their costume and creative ideas. At that time, it wasn’t about the most technical dancers or costumes that cost hundreds of dollars in embellishments. Studios from the same city would find themselves sharing the same dressing room and rooting for each other’s performers. Owners were introduced and brought up on stage with their studio locations announced, drawing attention to the fact that many had come a long distance to participate in the event or that they were from the same communities. Small, plastic trophies adorned the stage and excited youngsters grabbed their ‘prize’ to take to ‘Show ‘n Tell the following day at school. Trophies eventually turned into medals or buttons and some companies even brought talent agents to the judge’s table, offering a new twist… representation in the entertainment industry. As competition companies began to multiply, different prizes and perks were offered to attract supporters. The larger companies advertised ‘cash prizes’ to attract a specific following, and the once ‘friendly’ nature of competition changed dramatically. As dozens of smaller competitions popped up offering additional options to less-competitive studios, the competition world began to split and become more serious in nature.

Competition has become more fierce as studios try to out-do each other with over-embellished costumes and extensive stage props. Junior competitors perform like teens of yesteryear and the teens of today are comparable to the dancers on ‘So You Think You Can Dance’. Competition weekends held at the finest venues, bring all of the excitement of a three-ringed circus. Fancy light shows, big-screen TV monitors, glitzy backdrops, confetti and audience participation help to create a most memorable event. Each company has its own twist differentiating them from another, and the prize-money amount has continued to escalate. Year-end national finals brings the best-of-the-best of regional winners from all over the country to wonderful vacation destinations where the entire family can meet to celebrate the end of a studio’s competition season.

I tell my students that they can learn from watching others who are better than they are.

As I wait in the audience for each soloist to fall into my arms for a big hug, I remind them that the outcome isn’t as important as how they felt their performance was. As a studio director, I urge my staff to display the same positive attitude, offering supportive comments while at the venue and saving corrections for the classroom. Even though I rarely talk about monetary rewards, my students are motivated knowing that end-of-the-year outings are ultimately the rewards of their hard work. As we approach another competition season, I anxiously look forward to seeing Dellos newcomers on stage for their first time, hoping that the competition experience is one they will never forget. In the end, it isn’t about ‘the win’ that our children will remember but rather everything else that’s part of the preparation of getting them on stage. Memories are created with the simplest of attempt. Having my hair and makeup done by my mom, the jitters I felt before taking the stage, the pride I felt when displaying my studio’s name at awards ceremonies, and the applause I received when I took a bow… those are the things that our children remember, not the trophies or the cash prizes! As local studios continue to meet up at the same venues year after year, it’s important that they continue to display community camaraderie. Our common goal and purpose is to help develop well-rounded, confident young people who will take the memories that are created while in our care, with them throughout their lives. Good luck to everyone in our community who will find their child on stage this year! From one studio owner to another, ‘Break-a-leg’! (NOT!) Have a wonderful and enjoyable competition season!

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