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Spotlight on Talent FAQ
NOTE - We try very hard to anticipate any questions and include all needed information on our application form. So please read that carefully first before emailing or calling with a question. Every single word or sentence has been thought out, and there is a reason for every policy or request from us (based on 24 years' experience). We don't set the age/grade categories until after we have received all the
applications and judges' scores. The reason is this- we want the
age categories to be evenly distributed with about 9-10 in each
category. Because applications vary each year, if we set them ahead
of time we could have a category with only 4 contestants and another
with 15. Generally, Act 1 at 12:00pm will be younger students- probably elementary school up through some middle school, and Act 2 at 7:00pm will be older high school students and possibly some middle school. All groups will be in Act 2. You will be judged on a total of 30 possible points. 20 are for
talent (how much "raw" talent you have for your age, and
how well you have developed that talent for your age). 5 are for
stage presence (how relaxed and confident you appear on the stage,
and how you connect with the judges/audience, again for your age).
Instrumentalists should acknowledged their audience before starting,
dancers and singers should have eye contact during, and ALL performances
should acknowledge their audience and applause afterward. 5 points are
for appearance (this does NOT mean whether the judges think you are pretty/cute, nor is it how much you paid for your costume/outfit).This refers to the effort and thought that was put into your outfit.
Does it detract or enhance the performance? Yes you should wear
the same outfit for tryouts that you would wear for a performance
in front of 600 people. Did you respect that performance enough
to "dress up" for it? This would mean a different thing
for a pianist than it would for a jazz dance. The preliminary judges sometimes
will make suggestions for a change in your performance dress. No !! The judges are definitely told not to let that affect their
scoring because some contestants do not know many in the audience
and others come from nearby or from large studios so they have a
large "cheering section". We of course love an enthusiastic
audience, but would very much encourage all audience members- friends,
family & other contestants- to be respectful and supportive of
all acts. Very loud or lude screams take away from the enjoyment
of other audience members, could actually distract the performer
from doing their best job, and again, do not increase their score
at all. #4 FAQ - "Are judges in any way encouraged to select contestants of a certain talent type or a certain studio?" No, not in any way! Trends very from year to year, but we do not influence the judges. Each judging panel is equally divided between talent backgrounds. Also judging panels are different from year to year. #5 FAQ - "Why did you change to two shows?" Primarily we wanted to give more students a chance to be a finalist and shine on the stage. We were having to cut such excellent performances to fit into one evening show. A side benefit is that each of the two shows will be shorter than the long, four hour show. The reason Act 1 is at 12:00 on the same day is to avoid having to rent this expensive hall an additional day.
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