Showdance/cabaret/theater arts- what are the rules?

[ricodancer]

Anybody out there done showdance/cabaret/theater arts comps, as they are variously called? What specifically are the rules, if any (other than time limit). Are there a certain number of syllabus patterns required for the dance you are basing the routine on? A specific number or type of lifts? And if there aren't any specific technical rules, are there standard guidelines or protocols that judges follow. I'm interested in choreographing my own routines, with not so many lifts but more balletic/jazzy moves from me as well as my partner, i.e. turns, leaps, jumps, falls, and I apparently have to compete as pro (even in my first event) because I'm a professional modern/jazz dancer and choreographer. Anyone have any info?

[pygmalion]

Hi ricodancer.

In the cabaret thread, I posted most of the USABDA rules regarding cabaret. The rule book, if I remember correctly, doesn't go into a lot of specifics about patterns. But, if you want to take a look for yourself, check out usabda.org The competition rules are all there.

[Sagitta]

Here's the link to the cabaret thread ricodancer:

cabaret (http://www.dance-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=1880&highlight=cabaret)

[ricodancer]

Thanks Pygmalion

I actually found the same info from the USABDA website that is posted on our Cabaret thread- but thanks so much! Apparently the choice of movements and lifts, sequencing, etc. is pretty open, which is what I was hoping- A lot of the routines I've seen are, I think, too "lift-dependent" and I get bored watching them. I do some acrobatic moves in my modern dance choreography, as well as, of course, sautes, jetes, pirouettes, attitude and arabesque turns, pencil turns, soutenus, compass turns, pique turns, etc. etc. and apparently- these are all allowed in Cabaret style, which means I, the guy, get to dance up a storm as much as my partner does. Now I just need to find a partner.... :)

[ricodancer]

PS. Thanks to Sagitta too- didn't mean to forget you. Cheers!

[twodance]

My wife and I have competed in this event. It is broken down into two catagories. Theatre arts and caberet. The theatre arts division is a ballroom dance ie.waltz, tango,paso etc. with lifts and drops added. In the professional level a piece of music is chosen at the beginning of the year. Everyone uses this one piece of music and they compete at the end of the year. The caberet division is totally up to the dancer. You pick your own music and this is done as a solo routine. The theatre arts is danced with other people on the floor all dancing to that one piece of music. You only have to dance as a professional if you arre registered as a pro with the NDCA. Otherwise you can compete as an amateur. There are no rules other than the theatre arts has to resemble a ballroom dance.

[ricodancer]

Thanks so much twodance- that helps to clear things up even further. Apparently some comps have "Cabaret," some have "Theater Arts," and I haven't seen any around here that have both. I guess I can always contact the people sponsoring the competition to see which guidelines they follow- what I've seen on the broadcast of the Ohio Star, then, is Cabaret...right? Because it's always just one couple at a time, and they use their own music. That's what I want to do, and add jazz/ballet/modern technique. Sounds crazy I know, but I'm already halfway finished with a duet set to Chopin's First Ballade (way too long for comps, at just under 10 minutes), which has frequent measures of waltz timing, as well as barcarolle, mazurka, etc. For an under four minute routine I'm looking at Samba or Paso Doble, both of which I'm currently studying with San Francisco teachers. Too bad you're so far away...