Dance competition season is now in full swing. Many studios have prepared for six or seven long months. However, not many people outside the dance world are very informed about dance competitions in general, so here is everything you need to know.
Dance competitions are typically a Friday through Sunday weekend, but sometimes, depending on the size of the competition, they can start on Thursdays. They run from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. It may seem long, but most of the time dancers only compete two out of the three days, and routines are usually very spaced out. The scores are out of 300, 100 points from each judge. Usually, 50 of those points are technique. Other categories include overall performance, choreography, costume, etc. Rules for each competition vary for the awarding, but overall, most competitions have a first through tenth place for every category and then a top studio award of some kind.
Dance competitions can also be very stressful for dancers. They have worked long and hard to perfect the details and timing of their routines, so showcasing them can be stressful. Dancers also don’t know how the judges will score them because it’s just three people’s opinions. The routine may have been great, but one judge may not like it, and the overall score can tank. That’s why dance is such a hard concept in general; not everyone is going to enjoy the same thing.
Some moms expect perfection from their dancers and are way too hard on them, which can also cause a lot of stress during the competition season. Some moms fight with other moms in the dressing room, which only embarrasses everyone around them, especially the dancers. What people see on reality TV shows like Dance Moms can be true, but most of the time, opponents at competitions support other studios, which allows for a better performance during the competition.
Ultimately, the dance competition season can be fun for everyone involved if they allow it to be. After seeing the dancers showcase their hard work, everyone should be proud of how far their routines have come. Competitions or games can be stressful for any sport, but that’s not what it should be all about.
