Help! I'm entering my first competition on 8-15 I can't seem to find any general info on what to expect,how much make up,how to get a video,ect. Obviously I'm full of questions! Anyone have advice for me? Please state what you would have done differently on your first comp. as well as what you are glad you did. Thanks!CIRCUSDANCER2@AOL.COM

Which competition by the way?

Ahhh, the joys of being a "Dance Mom," if you don't have one, you need to get one. "Dance Mom" = Extrememly helpful lady who knows all about competitions.

Makeup - Depends on your style, if you wear a very dramatic makeup style day-to-day, then you just want to darken it up a little. If you tend to be moderate to little like me, the rule of thumb I was given, "if you don't feel that you look like you should be standing on a street corner, you don't have enough on" Just remember the judges need to be able to see you smiling across the floor, 15-40 feet away.

Hair - For Smooth, you want it off the neck and for it not to move. Keep it simple and quick to put up. And practice it before hand.

Video - It sounds like they have a company, so you'll want to bring a blank (good quality) videotape, if you go the evening before drop your tape off then. Otherwise, you either need a good friend or time to fill out the sheet, and then stand in line. You'll have to list all the heats you want taped and describe what you are wearing at most. As your first comp, I suggest taping them all, just expect to pay $10-20 a dance. But believe me you'll regret not getting it all. Just be warned, unless you are ballet/jazz trained or seen yourself on videotape dancing before, you are not as good as you think you are, but if you continue this first competition becomes a good psychological tool. And so onto....

Emotions - Emotions will run high. Depending on how high, you may expect a low afterwards. Which sometimes gets worse with the number of competitions you do. Having the first videotape helps, because it gives an indication on how much you've improved and achieved, and takes the focus away from how much you want to improve and how futile it seems.

Gloves and shoes - Make sure to practice in them from here on out. Gloves can be slippery, and shoes need to be broken in/gotten used to heel height, if you aren't already dancing in them.

Time - The biggest thing is give yourself the most time you can inbetween being fully done up and dancing. This allows you to settle down, hopefully get some practice or warmup in. This may be tough if you are dancing in the morning. I've had one competition where I had to be on the dance floor at 7 am. They opened the floor at 6:30. Video showed up at 6:45. Luckily, I already had the tape in.

And lastly...
Look confident and sure and close your feet, and you will do well.

Good luck, let us know how you did.

You can usually set up your video taping as soon as you get into the ballroom. The vidoegrapher will have a table where you sign up and make sure they have a camera available. Bringing your own VHS tape could save you some money, but they'll have tapes there if you don't want to bother.

What's a ballgown? Well, if you got your dress off the rack, it's probably fine for a "no-ballgown" category. Ballgowns are usually rhinestoned (instead of or in addition to being beaded), and in many cases skirts will have more than a full circle. Basically, a ballgown is something expressly made for dancesport.

Good luck!!!

"Do or do not, there is no try," Yoda, Episode V

So much depends on the type and level of competition. Who is helping you prepare the dancing portion? Why don't you ask them - or others who have done this type of competition before.


Makeup if probably not all that big a deal at lower levels (where costumes generally are not permitted) - just make sure anything you use can take the heat. Your hair may be of more concern - it needs to be kept out of the way.

Video policies vary from comp to comp - some would let you bring a friend with a camcorder, at others your only choice is to purchase the services of the official videographers. There should be something about that in the information materials for the comp - or you can probably talk to the video people at the comp.

As for what to do differently - dance your first comp for the experience. Don't worry about winning, just about getting used to the idea of dancing in competition.

Well, I did it! What FUN!
The day before,I awoke with the worst knee pain I've had in a long time. I couldn't even put weight on it. I've had some trouble off and on but not like this.
I was SOOOO depressed.
I got an apointment with a Dr. (I don't have my own since I lost my insurance) and begged him for a miracle. He told me I have some torn cartlige, gave me a shot of quartizone in my knee and some pain killers.
The next morning I was much better. My comp. started at 10:00am.
My outlook changed from "Oh no! I'm not prepard,will I screw up?" to "Thank you, God,for letting me dance!" Was there supposed to be a lesson in this?
It will Probably be my only competition as I'm not rich. But it was a great experience!
The photos and video came out great.
The highlight of the weekend; Finally getting to see my teachers perform- WOW! They won 1st in Standard and 4th in Latin.
Thanks to all for the advice.

Thanks to TheDitz for the advice. The competition is the Triple Crown at the Ritz in my hometown of Sarasota, Florida. I have been practicing in my "smooth" shoes but I dance better in my Latin shoes. What is a girl to do? I did finally contact the video guy and he has agreed to have one of his videotographers use my hi 8 digital instead of VHS.I know how I look because my instructor(bless his heart) lets me video tape my lessons.This has been an incredible learning tool for me. One thing I believe will be in my favor is that I was an aerialist in the circus most of my life and have performed thousands of times under many conditions.The funny thing is I never DANCED until I started Ballroom And Latin 9 months ago! In the circus the performers are not being "judged", the audience really doesn't know what to expect.Unless you fall (thank goodness I never did) nobody even knows youv'e made a mistake. But this will be different and it has been a long time since I've been in the ring! I wish I felt more prepard. But I guess everyone feels that way.

Thanks for the advice. As for the video, I was unable to contact the video company. I only decided to enter this last week so I have little time to prepare.
A new BIG question; What is the difference between a gown and a costume? I am entering in American smooth at a beginer level.I will be wearing a formal dress which I already owned.I am beading some opra-length gloves to match.I practiced in the dress to make sure it was comfortable(it was).My instructor liked it. I trust his judgment but I don't want to look overdone.
As far as asking him about all these questions,I need to spend my time with him DANCING, not asking thousands of questions, especially when I consider how little time we have before the comp. P.S. Am I crazy for trying this? My rationalizing for this; In my life I haven't regreted the things I've done. What I regret are the things I DID'NT do!