Why Do University Teams Spend Big $$$ on World Class Couples to Perform a Show?

[Chris Stratton]

How many high level (nationally competitive championship or higher) couples do you know of who started as collegiate dancers?

A few - which is to say the majority of those who reached that point from having started dancing so relatively late in life.

And dont forget that in terms of "promoting dancing" the people dancing champ are the top of the pyramid. The reason that college teams can graduate a few adult beginners to champ is that the start huge numbers on a practical path, and maintain large numbers through intermediate divisions where the impracticality of most other adult offerings tends to cause a die-back to a token couple or two per location.

College programs themselves rarely reach beyond gold, if even that far. But that's not the point - the point is that they are the only large scale effort to expose adults to the experience of what would be involved in rising to a point from which they can decide if they wish to go further on their own.

 

[dlgodud]

I would say that it is a good way of promoting a competition. For me, I don't compete at those collegiate competitions. So, if there were no performances by professionals, I probably would not go and watch.

I did not go and watch the BAC this year, but I had attended past two years. I would say the $$ to pro would be covered easily by selling VIP tickets? Even top pros would not get that much out of competitions if they don't place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd at biggest competitions in the world.

 

[and123]

Many college dance groups have both a CLUB and a TEAM. AFAIK, club is essentially for fun. Team members are expected to be more dedicated and committed, i.e. miss a lesson or practice w/o a very good reason, and wet noodle lashings will commence, or you get demerits and lose your standing on the team, or whatever. This is not to say the two entities do not mix and mingle together, but the expectations are often very different. Wasn't there a thread here not that long ago about having to try out for the ballroom team? If you're a more casual dancer, chances are you wouldn't bother doing that, and if you did, you'd likely not make it.

 

[syncopationator]

How many high level (nationally competitive championship or higher) couples do you know of who started as collegiate dancers? I can name... maybe 5 tops. Ballroom dancing clubs at universities are... clubs. That is, they are for fun. Look at BADC. How many of the finalist in championship anything were collegiate dancers?

You are making the assumption that only Championship level couples are competitive.

The beauty of dancesport is that you can be a total beginer and still be competitive because you compete against other couples at your level.

You are right in that the majority (prob 99.9%) of the couples that start their dancing in college will no reach this status; however, that does not mean that they are doing this "for fun" and are not competitive.

 

[syncopationator]

I would say the $$ to pro would be covered easily by selling VIP tickets?

probably, but this is more for the comp organizers to answer

Even top pros would not get that much out of competitions if they don't place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd at biggest competitions in the world.

This is not true. Depending on where and when the performance is, even not-so-top level competitors (both pro and amateur) command a pretty hefty fee to perform.

 

[Benjy]

You are making the assumption that only Championship level couples are competitive.

The beauty of dancesport is that you can be a total beginer and still be competitive because you compete against other couples at your level.

People can be very competitive at Scrabble too... they are still doing it for fun.

 

[Chris Stratton]

I know what they charge too, but i doubt the teams would keep doing it if it was generally a loosing proposition. That said, I'm not in general in favor of it.

 

[kathyt cupcake]

I think the collegiate comps bring in the show couples to increase paid ticket attendance- this probably works best in markets where there are enough ppl outside the university scene who know about ballroom eg. NY, Boston. But even in venues where there isn't an outside market, if you can squeeze another $20 or $30 from 80% of the competitors for the show, that would probably help to break even for the cost of the pros.

Probably most of our beginners don't have any idea who the show couples are but I think the longer they stick around, the more likely they've gotten onto youtube and have a clue.

 

[syncopationator]

People can be very competitive at Scrabble too... they are still doing it for fun.

But as you stated they are competitive at scrable.

I will be the first to admit it: I have a lot of fun dancing... But I don't dance for fun.

 

[syncopationator]

I do find that a lot of the colleges, in the Northeast anyway, are very competitive with who can outdo who in regards to their show couple... And I wonder if having slightly less expensive shows that are just as entertaining might be just as valuable, if not to also provide them an opportunity to see different styles.

Which I think is a real shame because we are bypassing an opportunity to showcase our domestic couples as well as the American styles.

 

[benm]

On our college team, the competition show is generally not a huge moneymaker nor a huge liability, so it's more a question of "why not?" Fitting it into the schedule is probably a bigger challenge than the money.

Personally, I would not otherwise have had the opportunity to see dancing of that level in person. The naysayers can just not buy tickets.

 

[Joe]

I must say, the best dancers are not necessarily the most entertaining dancers. At OSB how often does the winner of the competitive event also win the showdance event? Not often.

 

[White Chacha]

...

Many of the young dancers never realize the golden opportunity they have in seeing these couples and never fully appreciate it. And I wonder if having slightly less expensive shows that are just as entertaining might be just as valuable, if not to also provide them an opportunity to see different styles.

...

It's true that many newer dancers won't fully appreciate seeing the world's best dancing. But that doesn't mean there won't be many dancers attending who do appreciate it. And the more you witness the best dancing, the more discriminating you'll become in what you like.

So why not show people the best there is, by the standards of the day? Part of the collegiate experience is about learning. Seeing the best dancing possible is certainly a learning experience about the art.

As benm already indicated, the money for the hosting team can be a wash.

 

[Benjy]

I must say, the best dancers are not necessarily the most entertaining dancers. At OSB how often does the winner of the competitive event also win the showdance event? Not often.

Very true... Luca's show at MIT 2009, though it was coming from a Standard lesson, was just... not a great show. I mean, I didn't regret watching it, but it wasn't entertaining, just interesting. He was amazing, but it wasn't a show... more like a lecture and demonstration of phenomenal standard with some wannabee smooth inserted to make it not a competition routine.

Arunas and Katusha at BADC 2008... ways and away the best show I have ever seen. But they're pretty high up there, so...

 

[and123]

If I wanted to be entertained, I'd go to a movie. I'm more interested in the dancing, and frankly get rather irritated when the show couple or MC tries to "whoop" up the crowd and get them screaming and excited. Chances are I've been dancing all day and/or up since the crack of bird crap and just want to sit and watch some exquisite dancing.

But that's just me. I can understand how non-competitors or outsiders might want more of a show.