What are Dance Competitions really like? Parent Point of View Part 4: Guests

Dance Competitions are jam-packed weekends devoted to hundreds of unique dance routines. It is a place where dancers can showcase all their hard work to an audience and judges. 

There is usually no cost to attend a dance competition. This is a nice treat for family and friends who want to pop in to see a dancer perform. Most family and friends do not have a vast understanding of how dance competitions run. 

Here are some talking points to share with your guests:

• There are no photographs or videos during dance performances. This is extremely important as your dancer could be disqualified from overall awards or your studio penalized if this rule is broken. 
• Move in and out of the auditorium between performances. Moving during dances is rude to spectators trying to see and a distraction for the dancer. 
• Scout out your seat from the doorway and go as fast as possible once a dancer leaves the stage. There are only a few seconds between routines. 
• If someone in your party has mobility issues, try to find a seat near the door and let them have the end seat or move in/out of the auditorium during a judge's break.
• Be quiet in the auditorium. The dancers on stage have worked so hard for their moment. 
• Stay seated. (Weird that needed to be written.)
• Do not let kids run around the auditorium or have bright screens on. 
• Turn the phone off. Turn off bright screens! 
• Wildly clap and cheer when a dancer is announced and at the end of the dance. However, cheering loudly during the dancing can distract the dancers and judges. 
• Once your dancer is finished, it is perfectly acceptable to leave the auditorium. If your dancer doesn't have another dance right away, they may pop out to say hello and pose for those grandparent photos. Your dancer may or may not be in a good mood after dancing.
• Explain to your guests that emotions run high, especially before and after dancers take the stage. They may not be in a good head space for visiting with guests. 
• If your dancer has another dance, explain to your guests that they can stay in the auditorium and watch more dancing. Explain that you need to leave to help with the costume change. Give your guests a general idea of how much time remains until the next dance.
• If your guest is interested in staying for awards, explain that awards can be lengthy. There can be tears and strong emotions after the awards ceremony, so your dancer may not want to talk or pose for photos when the awards are over. 
• Give your guests a general overview of categories, age divisions, levels, adjudications, overalls, and special awards.
• Explain that awards go fast, so you need to listen to the MC but will answer their questions after the ceremony has finished. 

Tips: 

• If you plan on guests attending, keep them informed if the competition is running ahead, behind, or on time. 
• Explain to friends and family that competitions progress at different paces. They should be ready to leave their house early.
• Some competitions now have an online livestream. This is a newer option for out-of-town friends and family. The livestream is often free however, some competitions charge for the online service.
• Watching the livestream while in the dressing room or taking a walk will allow you to keep track of the competition timing. 
• Suggest that your guests watch the livestream from home to prepare themselves if the competition is running early. It can be stressful as a parent to keep others informed while dealing with costumes, finding cell service, and emotional dancers at the competition. 
• Your dancer may be tense when they know a guest is coming to a competition. Don't tell them a guest is coming if the dancer feels nervous about performing. Let the guests be a surprise after they have danced.