Questions about a showcase

Hi. I need some help/clarification on showcases...

1.) Do I wear a full blown costume, or can I just buy a regular dress that is nice and appropriate? I do not want to be under dressed or over dressed.

2.) Will I be overdoing it if I put false eye lashes on, tan, and do some dramatic eye make up?

3.) My instructor hit me up with the "freestyles"....should I really do this? Or, is this just another way for them to make money? He said I would be judged....which I don't understand...I thought this was for fun? He says it is to know where I need to improve.... your thoughts?

4.) Are showcases typically videoed?

DanzeGirl said:

Hi. I need some help/clarification on showcases...

1.) Do I wear a full blown costume, or can I just buy a regular dress that is nice and appropriate? I do not want to be under dressed or over dressed.

2.) Will I be overdoing it if I put false eye lashes on, tan, and do some dramatic eye make up?

3.) My instructor hit me up with the "freestyles"....should I really do this? Or, is this just another way for them to make money? He said I would be judged....which I don't understand...I thought this was for fun? He says it is to know where I need to improve.... your thoughts?

4.) Are showcases typically videoed?

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1) and 2) Ask your instructor. Bottom line is dress up enough to make it a special event.

3) Of course it's a way for them to make money, that's what they're in the business of doing. If they didn't make money doing it, they wouldn't offer it.

As to whether you should or not; do you feel you will benefit? Something can be for fun while still being judged. After all, we all judge others, just maybe not with a clipboard It can be helpful to get feedback from a judge. While I do feel this is a benefit, I feel the benefit is more about setting the goal, and then getting out of your comfort zone.

4) Have seen both, though usually it is videoed, even if it's with a stationary camera.

1. Depending on your budget go with simple, or costume. I would recommend against a "regular dress". Partner has more of those sitting in the closet than she knows what to do with, and none of them work. If this is your first showcase, simple is good enough. Don't worry about being underdressed, focus on your dance and performance.

2. I won't even pretend to give make up advice... Do whatever makes you happy.

3. Yes to all your questions. You should do it because a chance to perform in front of a crowd is always great practice. It's a way for them to make more money, no doubt. Getting feedback from a judge is always good for future areas to improve on. And it's still for fun.

4. Video usually, depends on the showcase/studio. Ask your instructor.

congrats on doing a showcase! It does take some courage to do but will do wonders for your confidence. I do 2-3 showcases/year as I can't afford more than one comp, so I have to make it worthwhile somehow

Anyway, for costume and makeup I go somewhere between social dancing and full comp, so it looks like I am putting some effort into my appearance. As my dance level moves up, I make the costume reflect that, if that makes sense. Never had a showcase judged before though. I have had a showcase with dead silence, no clapping or voices or anything. I was freaking out about it until a fellow dancer told me later that people were just so mesmerized and waiting to see what we would do next (I am going to take her at her word, as DP and I get tons of compliments on our dancing).

I always tan before a showcase, as I am quite fair-skinned. It just makes me feel like I look better, which is a big confidence booster in and of itself.

I think different studios call different things "showcases." In some studios, they are an evening of solo performances with routines choreographed to pre-selected music. In others, like mine, they are organized as mini-competitions (though with scores out of 100rather than placements). Doing a solo is an option, like at a regular comp, but the bulk of the event is heats to DJ'd music, with a judge.

my advice would be to ask people who have done showcases in your studio or a female teacher. When I was doing my first showcase, I was very much into this website and my plan A was to go full out - ballgown, lashes, fishnets, makeup. I am so glad I didn't. I ended up buying a very nice non-black practice skirt, matching blouse from Ross, no fishnets, no lashes and very light makeup. I looked very nice and didn't stand out. My fondest memories ever will be from that first showcase.

My old studio always had theirs in nicer hotels so everyone dressed nicely regardless. If I were dancing a bunch of freestyles I'd wear a cute dress, short one for latin/rhythm, longer skirt or pants for smooth. Whatever I'm comfortable in. If I had routines I'd probably bring something special for that. At the same showcase, I'd see people in really nice smooth gowns or latin costumes.. I'd see people in simple black dresses, or if they were dancing swing or something they might dress casual for that dance. Whatever you want to do.

I do remember going out of my way to find a bright colored dress (turquoise) because I didn't want to be one of the twenty girls in black dresses, but it's fine if you want to do whatever the trend is at your studio.

Our showcases are in a theater so we go pretty much full out on tan/makeup/costume or you wouldn't be seen from the back row.

If yours is a smaller setting in the studio without lights etc, then keep is simpler but definately enough to make you feel like its a special ocassion. I would always avoid being one of the many in black!